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.
Elaine Kelly, Mechanical Design Engineer
What subjects did you take in school and how have these influenced your career path?
My LC electives were physics, accounting and geography as these were all logical subjects without any risk of interpretation. Unfortunately, applied maths was not offered at my school and I do regret not studying it outside school. If I had studied applied maths at LC level like most of my college peers, it would have made it easier at 1st year college level.
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.
David Fleming, Sub Lieutenant - Navy
What subjects did you take in school and how have these influenced your career path?
For my Leaving Certificate I took the subjects, French, Geography and Business. Prior to applying for my cadetship I found out that I required a Science subject which I took up in my Leaving Certificate.
A lot of my training and education through the Navy todate has been Maths and Science based particularly Physics. If I had a choice again I would have gone down this line in school to give me a better foundation. The subjects I chose just made everything slightly harder.