Late January and early February is a very busy time for schools.
Leaving Cert students are applying for the CAO and UCAS as well as preparing for mock exams.
Transition years as well as 3rd years who intend to go straight into 5th year are required to choose their Leaving Cert subjects.
This can be a stressful time for students and parents alike because in the main students at this stage are very unsure about what career path lies ahead for them.
And there is a growing awareness that many college courses are ruled out in the absence of a specific science subject or a third language.
Curriculum online groups subjects as follows:
In general, students take seven subjects for Leaving Cert. All students are required to take Maths, English and Irish (unless exempted) and choose four additional subjects.
The number of subjects available varies from school to school, and students are usually asked to list their top six as sometimes subjects can be over subscribed.
My advice is to put time into the decision. You will be studying these subjects for the next two years, and you will want to use them to get as many CAO points as you can.
Ask yourself what subjects do you enjoy most? What subjects do you do well in? If you have courses or careers in mind research what subjects might they require.
Assessment Methods: I always advise students to take a good look at the assessment method for each subject.
Going into the Leaving Cert at the end of 6th year with a significant portion of the exam already completed through practical and project work can be a major bonus. See below for table:
It is important to note that the curriculum allocating 40% to Business, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics is set to commence in September 2025, but could change.
Also, the roll-out of the two new subjects Dance, Film and Theatre Studies (DFTS) and Climate Action and Sustainable Development (CASD) will commence in 100 schools in September 2025.
Third Language: Languages such as French, German, Spanish and Italian allocate 25% to an oral exam, which usually takes place in April, as well as 20% to an aural (listening) exam which takes place on the day of the LC terminal exam in June.
Whether to choose a third language or not is often a difficult decision, and one which should not be taken lightly.
A third language is required for entry into most courses at NUI Colleges (UCC, University of Galway, UCD, and Maynooth) and at RCSI.
There are some exceptions such as Nursing at all colleges, Engineering and all science courses at Maynooth, and Engineering and Agricultural Science courses at UCD.
Other colleges have it as a requirement for certain courses that have a large language component.
Entry to the Cadetships in the Defense Forces requires a third language also. NCAD require a third language or Art.
However, it is important to note that Trinity College, University of Limerick, DCU, SETU, TUS, ATU or MTU do not require a third language unless it is a specific course requirement, nor is it a requirement for Gardai, Apprenticeships or most PLC Courses. Use Qualifax to check requirements.
Science Subjects: Many students opt to include a science subject so as to broaden their options when it comes to choosing a college course, apprenticeship or career.
Deciding which one of the five recognised laboratory science subjects Agricultural Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Chemistry (Joint) or Physics can be a little complicated.
To help you decide think back to what aspects of your Junior Cert class you enjoyed most.
Was it Physics explaining how things work, Biology explaining how living organisms behave and interact with each other, or Chemistry giving an insight into the composition of everything around us and the changes they undergo?
Research each subject’s course content here.
Many courses require one of these, and some require two. Again, use Qualifax to check requirements.
Chemistry is the subject most frequently specified science subject, for courses such as Dentistry at UCC and RCSI; Pharmacy at UCC and Trinity; Medicine at UCC; Veterinary at UCD; Human Nutrition and Dietetics at TUD and Medical and Health Sciences at UCC.
Business Subjects: Many students broaden their options by including a subject from the Business Studies group – Business, Accounting or Economics.
For help in deciding which one to opt for, as with science, think back to which element of the Junior Cert Business Studies class you enjoyed most.
Was it gaining insights into how business works, using the black and white logic and step-by-step approach in accounting, or engaging with the more abstract views provided by economics?
To conclude, put the effort into choosing subjects that are the right fit for you, subjects that match your interests, aptitudes and learning styles.
That effort will undoubtedly pay off. Chat to subject teachers at school and to your Guidance Counsellor.
Keep in mind any insights gained from TY work experience or part-time work. Flick through course-books, research the content of each subject online, and take a look at previous exam papers, but don’t be put off by the perceived level of difficulty.
Remember you haven’t started studying the subject yet! Enjoy the decision making process.
Follow me on Instagram for changes, updates and reminders regrading subject choice and other career guidance topics.
Gold Star Careers offers one-to-one or small group career advice, in-person or online, to people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.
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