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.
Nicole McGuire, Freelance Tour Guide
What subjects did you take in school and how have these influenced your career path?
In secondary school when it came to choosing subjects, I was fully convinced I'd be a nutritionist or a herbalist. I picked Chemistry, Biology, Home Economics and French. I loved all the subjects but I was very studious. When I look back I wish I didn't put so much pressure on myself and at the end of the day I've realised I should have picked subjects that I enjoyed thay would allow me to get the most points for e.g I was very good at art. The college system in Ireland is point based. I picked a science course originally (dropped out) and I realised the first year of college is getting everyone up to scratch so we all do chemistry, physics and biology so we are on the same page for 2nd year. Therefore there was no need to do all that heavy material for my leaving cert I could have afforded to pick a more light hearted topic.
I took a year out and I found that important to get some money under my belt for college to be comfortable also it allowed me to mature that bit more. I picked a college that would have had lectures max like 60 people I knew I wasn't a person that would be able to attend lectures with 100's of people.
Also there is so many back roads to where you want to go. When I got to first year there were people there who did PLC's to get into it. I just wish I didn't put so much stress on myself and enjoyed those years a little more.
Aidan Maher, Site Manager - Grad Entry
What subjects did you take in school and how have these influenced your career path?
I studied metal work up until Junior Cert level however when choosing my options for Leaving Cert it did not work out with other subjects so I had to drop it.
For Leaving Cert I studied all higher level subjects excluding Irish. My option subjects were Geography, Ag Science, French and Music.
I suppose Geography was the closest subject to touch on the topic of Construction. I took French on so as to keep options open on what colleges I could attend. If I had my time back I would have dropped this for construction studies or metal work as I found it hard to gain good marks in the subject.
To close out the question I don’t believe the subjects I chose had a huge influence on my career path.
Anne-Marie Kennedy, Chartered Sport Psychologist
What subjects did you take in school and how have these influenced your career path?
What I didnt expect in my psychology degree was the level of maths and statistics that was required. I was poor at maths and struggled a bit with this aspect of my degree. I probably would have chosen biology for leaving cert in hindsight just to get a better insight into how the brain works.
I found honours English throughout secondary school did help as I was used to writing essays and critically analysing pros and poetry. There was a lot of philosophy in my degree which can be taxing if you havent been exposed to it before so if there was an option to do a philosophy subject I would recommend that.