Implications of Subject Choice

1. Implications of Subject Choice Mary O’Callaghan Guidance Counsellor

2. Subject Choice • Important decision for each student • Concept of a job for life is virtually gone • Increasing demands on employees for flexibility and productivity • Rapidly changing workplace

3. Which subjects should they choose? • Subject choice is not as complicated as people think • Not many courses have specific requirements • Which subjects will they need? • Which subjects are they most interested in? • What is your child good at? • Encourage discussion

4. New National Framework of Qualifications • Why? – Compare qualifications internationally/job mobility • Levels 1 –10 • Leaving Cert = Level 5 Higher Cert = Level 6 (2 years) Ordinary Degree = Level 7 (3 years) Honours Degree = Level 8 (3/4 years)

6. Requirements for college • General Matriculation Requirements • Subject requirements • Points

7. General Matriculation Requirements • Six subjects for Level 8 Degree, 2 or 3 at Honours level • Five subjects at Ordinary level for Higher Certificate Level 6/Ordinary Degree Level 7 to include Irish OR English AND Maths

8. NUI Universities • National University of Ireland (NUI) colleges University College Dublin University College Cork University College Galway NUI Maynooth Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin National College of Art & Design, Dublin Shannon College of Hotel Management Milltown Institute of Theology & Philosophy Institute of Public Administration St Angela’s College, Sligo require English, Irish and a third language

9. Exceptions • If exempt from Irish or languages in school • Engineering or Science courses • Engineering, Agri-Food & Science courses at UCD • Nursing • NCAD - Art accepted in lieu of language

10. Other Universities • TCD & UL – Maths, English and Irish or a third language. DCU – Maths and either English or Irish • IMPORTANT– Wide variety of Degree & other courses available that do not require a third language as long as you have Maths & English or Irish

11. Course specific requirements • Many Level 8 Engineering/Computer Science Degrees need Higher Maths • Language Courses require a specific Honours grade in your chosen language • Courses in Science, Medicine (this includes Physiotherapy, Dentistry, Veterinary, Pharmacy, etc.), Nursing, Architecture and some Engineering courses require 1 or 2 sciences • Honours Chemistry is required for Dietetics & some Pharmacy & Medicine courses

12. Specific Subject Requirements

13. Most other courses have no specific subject requirements • Business subjects are not required for any Business, Commerce or Accountancy courses • Design & Communication Graphics is not an essential requirement for Architecture, Architectural Technician, Engineering or Construction courses  • Art is not an essential subject for Art College, but a portfolio is

14. Points System • All subjects count equally for entry to Institutes of Technology or University • Points are calculated from the student’s six best results in one sitting of the Leaving Certificate, maximum 600 points • L.C.V.P. – 70 Distinction, 50 Merit, 30 Pass • U.L. & D.I.T. award bonus points for Hons. Maths • Entry given to highest points for competitive courses

15. Points System - Grades

16. Summary • Check any essential subjects on www. qualifax.ie • Choose subjects you like and enjoy • Make a balanced choice e.g. Irish, English, Maths, Language, Science + 2/3 other subjects • Keep your options open

17. Options after leaving school University Institute of Technology College of Further Education (FETAC) Private College Apprenticeship Study overseas Gap Year Employment

18. Universities • Level 8 Honours Degree – 3/4 years leading to a B.Commerce, B.Arts., B.Science , B.Engineering • NUI colleges – University College Dublin, University College Cork University College Galway, NUI Maynooth, The Royal College of Surgeons, National College of Art & Design, St. Angela’s Sligo • University of Limerick • University of Dublin (Trinity College) • Dublin City University • Study overseas

19. Institutes of Technology • Offer a wide variety of courses at different levels: • Higher Certificate Level 6 (2years) • Ordinary Degree Level 7 (3 years) • Honours Degree Level 8 (4 years) • Athlone Blanchardstown • Carlow Cork • Dublin Dundalk • Dun Laoghaire Galway • Letterkenny Limerick • Sligo Tallaght • Tralee Waterford

20. Further Education Courses (FETAC) • Full time courses - Bray, Dun Laoghaire, Sallynoggin • Very practical – include work experience • They have no points requirements and are based mainly on interview • Wide range of courses • They can be: • A qualification in their own right or for interests sake • Can be used as a stepping stone to Higher Education (FETAC LINKS SCHEME)

21. Apprenticeships • 5 passes in Junior Certificate BUT much better prospects with Leaving Certificate • Need to find an employer/register with FAS • 4 years phased on the job/college

22. Study Overseas • Wider selection of courses • Courses in specialised/high points area • Helps to keep options open • Independence • Experience another culture • Fees • Research now & apply from 1st September

23. Career Guidance in East Glendalough • Opportunity to try out different subjects & gain work experience in 4th year • Aptitude Tests in 4th year – discover your strengths • Information evening on Subject Choice • 40 min weekly Career class in 5th / 6th year • Introduction to the world of College and Work • Careers Project • Internet Research & Careers Library • Guest speakers from College & Business • Careers & College videos • College Open days • Applying to College • Interviewing techniques • Career interviews in 5th/6th year

24. ESRI/FAS Forecast to 2015 • Youth population will decline • Strong demand for higher level skills • Decline in traditional manufacturing • Growth in Information & Communications Technology & Pharmaceuticals • Increase in services sector, traded services

25. It is predicted that……… • A Job for life is gone • Up to 25 jobs in 5 different sectors • Demand for flexibility & productivity • Higher Education will give you better career prospects • Lifelong Learning – keep your skills up to date

26. Skills Required for the 21st century workplace • Communication/Teamwork • Innovative/Entrepreneurial skills • Creative Problem solvers • Ability to acquire new skills quickly • Information Technology skills • Language Skills

27. Where will the jobs be? 6 out of every 10 jobs will be in Engineering, Science or Technology related areas

28. Main Growth Sectors • Information & Communications Technology • Engineering • Pharmaceuticals • Medical Technologies • Software • International Financial Services • Healthcare • Childcare – Early Childhood Education

29. Employment Opportunities • Outsourcing – jobs in Logistics • Backoffice – design, sales & marketing • Ageing population – healthcare & pharmaceuticals • Software Development/ICT • Leisure, tourism & recreational • Built environment – surveying, environment & auctioneering • Financial services/Compliance officers • Childcare

30. How can parents/guardians help? • Help your son/daughter to keep all their options open • Encourage them to be pro-active in their research • Plan for and attend college open days (www.qualifax.ie - career events) • Encourage discussion about careers among siblings and friends

31. Resources • www.curriculumonline.ie • www.qualifax.ie • www.careersportal.ie • www.cao.ie • www.ucas.com • www.prospects.ac.uk • www.skillsstrategy.ie

32. The World is Your Oyster!