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.
Fiona Keyes, Chef
What subjects did you take in school and how have these influenced your career path?
In secondary school, although I knew what I wanted to do, I opted not to take home economics for my leaving certificate, which tends to shock most who ask. I chose to do this as it was not a practical enough subject for me. I love to work with my hands, and the theoretical side of that subject just didn’t suit me. I chose to undertake construction studies instead and was very successful in this subject. I don’t think these choices had a huge influence on my career but were defiantly the right decisions for me at the time. I think its important to study subjects that you enjoy, as if you enjoy them you will be okay with giving them more time and thus be more successful in them.
Lara Mulvey, Senior Product Manager AIB
What subjects did you take in school and how have these influenced your career path?
While in school I did a real mix of subjects, from Music to Accounting. I really enjoyed the problem solving side of Maths and Chemistry, but my real passion was for languages. German was definitely my favourite subject. Although my German is now pretty rusty, I like to think my ear for languages has helped shape my ability to translate some of the more technical language into meaningful business terminology.
My wide range of subjects in school showed early on that I liked to have a good mix topics to keep me engaged.
I went into Physio with having never studied Biology, and I remember other students at the time thinking I was crazy, but all in all there was no great downfall to that. I had to work a little harder in my first year, but I quickly got up to speed. It felt somewhat similar walking into Finance with no strong business background.
I really think that being adaptable is so important to whatever career path you’re thinking of pursuing.
No matter the subject, if you’re a rounded individual you’ll find that you’ve learned certain attributes which you can apply to any job.
Anna Holohan , Tax Manager
What subjects did you take in school and how have these influenced your career path?
Studying a broad degree like I did meant that there were lots of different options available once I finished college. I wasn’t too sure what I wanted to do until I took a Revenue Law lecture. Studying Revenue Law, I found that tax had a good mixture of both business and law and therefore it appealed to me.