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Choosing Leaving Certificate Subjects: A Guidance Counsellor’s Perspective

For many students, choosing subjects for the Leaving Certificate is one of the first big educational decisions they will make. It can feel overwhelming, but with the right approach it becomes an opportunity to shape a pathway that suits a student’s interests, strengths and future goals.

As guidance counsellors, we encourage students to approach subject choice thoughtfully and with curiosity. The aim is not just to select subjects for the next two years, but to keep future options open while studying areas they genuinely enjoy.

Start with the Right Questions

Before choosing subjects, students should take time to reflect on a few key questions:

• What subjects did I most enjoy during the Junior Cycle and Transition Year?
• What subjects do I perform well in?
• What topics genuinely interest me?
• What subjects might connect to careers or college courses I may want to explore?

Looking back at favourite subjects can be very helpful. For example:

• If a student enjoys sport, PE may be a natural fit.
• If they love music, continuing Music could be rewarding.
• Students who enjoy coding or problem-solving may consider Computer Science.
• Those interested in current affairs and debate may enjoy Politics and Society.

Subject choice should be driven by interest and aptitude, not by what appears easy or popular.

What Should Not Influence Your Choice

There are some common reasons students give for choosing subjects that are not good long-term strategies.

Students should avoid choosing subjects based on:

• What they believe will be the “easiest” option
• What their friends are choosing
• Which teacher they might have

These factors can change or may not have the impact students expect. Choosing a subject simply because it seems easy often backfires if the content does not actually interest the student.

How Leaving Certificate Points Work

For CAO entry to college courses:

• The six subjects with the highest points are counted.
• Points must come from one sitting of the Leaving Certificate.
• Students who achieve H6 or above in Higher Level Mathematics receive 25 bonus points.

These bonus points are only added if Mathematics is one of the six best scoring subjects.

Some students choose to study eight subjects, which can provide flexibility if one subject does not go as planned.

Understanding College Entry Requirements

When applying to college through the CAO, there are three types of requirements that must be met:

1. Minimum Entry (Matriculation) Requirements
2. Specific Course Requirements
3. Points Requirements (which vary each year depending on demand)

Entry requirements can sometimes be achieved across more than one Leaving Certificate sitting, although Medicine is an exception.

Important Subject Requirements

Certain Leaving Certificate subjects are required for particular courses. These requirements most often involve:

• Mathematics
• Languages
• Science subjects

Students should check carefully whether a course requires a particular subject or a minimum grade.

Language Requirements in Irish Universities

Language requirements vary across universities:

NUI Universities

• UCD, UCC, University of Galway, Maynooth University, and affiliated colleges such as RCSI
• Often require a third language for courses such as:
  • Arts
  • Law
  • Commerce
  • Medicine
  • Health Sciences

(Note: UCD has removed the third language requirement for Architecture from 2025 entry.)

Trinity College Dublin and University of Limerick

• Require a second language
• This can be Irish or another language

DCU and Technological Universities

• Generally require English or Irish

NCAD

• No longer requires a third language

Nursing

• Does not require a third language in any college.

Students should always check the specific course requirements, as they can vary.

Science Requirements for Certain Courses

Many courses require at least one science subject. These include:

• Engineering
• Science
• Medicine
• Veterinary
• Nursing
• Health Sciences (Physiotherapy, Radiography, Occupational Therapy, etc.)

Taking two science subjects can help keep options open.

Students studying two of Biology, Chemistry or Physics will meet the science requirements for the widest range of courses.

Some universities have specific requirements for Medicine:

• Trinity College Dublin – two sciences (H3 + H4)
• UCC – H4 in Chemistry plus another science
• RCSI – H4 in Chemistry plus another science
• University of Galway – H4 in two sciences (for the 5-year degree)

Other universities such as UCD, Galway, RCSI and UL will require one science subject from 2026 entry.

Medicine also requires:

• HPAT admission test
• In some universities, a third language

Tips for Making a Good Subject Choice

When choosing subjects, students should:

1. Focus on what they enjoy
2. Consider subjects they are good at
3. Think about subjects they have not studied before but may enjoy at senior cycle
4. Check future course requirements
5. Talk to teachers or senior students about the subjects
6. Look at textbooks or course outlines
7. Keep options open if unsure about future career plans
8. Explore college prospectuses and university websites

Students who are unsure can also complete the Leaving Certificate Subject Choice Interest Test on findmycollegecourse.ie.

Final Advice

Subject choice should be a balance of interest, ability and future opportunity. The best results usually come when students study subjects they genuinely enjoy and feel motivated to learn.

Taking time now to explore interests, ask questions and research requirements can make the Leaving Certificate journey more enjoyable and ensure that important doors remain open for the future.