Leaving Cert Subjects
Leaving Cert | Leaving Cert Applied (LCA)
Practical Group
These subjects are 'hands-on' and involve working with tools and machinery on physical things like wood, metals and plastic. They may involve designing, planning and building things.
Science Group
These subjects demonstrate how to explore nature using carefully planned methods, and teach the basic methods and findings of scientific investigation.
Artistic & Creative Group
These subjects involve developing creativity and the appreciation of the work of others. This involves learning the methods and techniques of the subject and producing your own work using these skills.
Humanities Group
These subjects explore the ways in which humans live and communicate in the world. Human life is examined by looking at our past, our present and into our future. These subjects help people to express themselves clearly and develop their reasoning ability.
Social Group
These subjects explore common issues faced by all people living in society. They develop the skills and knowledge used to manage personal resources and guide human behaviour.
Dr Katarina Timulakova, Senior Clinical Psychologist
What subjects did you take in school and how have these influenced your career path?
In my secondary school I did psychology subject as an option. Biology, maths and English language were helpful in applying for undergraduate. In Ireland you do not have to apply, you need your points and usually no specific subject from the secondary school.
In undergraduate and postgraduate course I chose subject related to counselling psychology and clinical psychology – psychoanalysis, couple therapy, gestalt therapy, group interventions, psychodiagnostics, working with children, adults, older adults, people with disabilities. Research form the are relevant to clinical psychology is an advantage.
In training for clinical psychology qualification I have followed prescribed learning goals and objectives in academic area and on training placements.
I have done a number of psychotherapy trainings to support psychological intervention competencies, as I was interested to develop more this area.
Sissyane Rodrigues , Sustainability Leader - The Sandymount Hotel
What subjects did you take in school and how have these influenced your career path?
In Brazil, high school subjects are standard for everyone, so the real influence on my career path came during and after college. I first studied International Trade, then graduated in Marketing, which helped me develop communication and project management skills. I also did a minor in International Business and Accounting through an exchange program in the Netherlands. Later, I took a basic front-end programming course, which sparked my interest in tech. That’s when I realized I wanted to shift my career and start a Bachelor's in IT, which I’m currently doing. In hindsight, I might have explored IT earlier, but all these steps gave me valuable experience that I now bring into my current role.
Jonathan Pugsley, Energy Manager
What subjects did you take in school and how have these influenced your career path?
Science Subjects: Maths, Physics, Biology, Tech drawing, Chemistry - I loved these and they are very applicable for my current career path.
Data analysis and problem solving - it's all about number crunching at the end of the day when working on technical problems.
Arts, English, English Literature and French are subjects I was never really interested in at school, but have become more interested in the last 10 years, as they are very useful for communication purposes, and that is now a very big part of my job.