Help on Subject Choice

This may be the first time you have the chance to choose which subjects you want to study. It’s important that you choose your subjects carefully, as getting the right mix of subjects will affect your future in school, at third level and in the work force.

Make sure to choose your favourite subjects. If you are good at a subject it will come naturally to you, and if you enjoy it, you will excel at it.

It is also vital that you take into account future college and career paths and ensure that when it comes to applying for higher education you are not caught out because you did not study a particular subject at Leaving Certificate level. Organise a meeting with your Guidance Counsellor who will have knowledge of the subject requirements necessary to gain entrance into particular college courses. Get advice from the teacher of the subject and ask them what the syllabus covers. Speak to other students who have studied the subject and browse the textbooks to see if they appeal to you.

After all the advice you have to make your own decision.

There’s a little quiz for you on the next tab - Quiz

Here's a simple Quiz to see how well prepared you are for Subject Choice

Links to lots of informative material

Some articles on this site about Subject Choice

Some articles on this site about Subject Choice

• Allow plenty of time, a few months if possible from start to finish.
• Develop a whole school approach with several teachers giving input over a period of time.
• Students need facts, time and advice.
• A rushed decision is more likely to be a bad decision.
• Inform the parents of the process and the issues around choosing subjects.
• Tell parents where they can get more information.
• Allow time to meet individuals if necessary.

When selecting your subjects for Leaving Cert one of the important items to consider is the Minimum Entry Requirements for CAO Courses. To gain entry to any CAO Course you have to get enough points and also may have to have done certain subjects to a specific level. You must also have the particular academic entry requirements (also called matriculation requirements) for the course you want to take.

There is further information about this on the NUI website here ...