Senior Cycle
At Bandon Grammar School, we pride ourselves on providing a nurturing learning environment led by excellent teachers who tailor each lesson to help students achieve their best. Our inclusive environment respects each student's creative and intellectual development, offering a broad curriculum to stimulate individual learning capacities. Senior Cycle begins in 5th year and culminates with a terminal state examination at the end of 6th year. Below is detailed information on our subjects.
The Leaving Certificate Programme
The established Leaving Certificate Programme is a two-year course designed to provide learners with a broad, balanced education while allowing them to specialize in higher education and career options.
Core Subjects
All students will study the following core subjects:
- English
- Irish (unless exempt)
- Maths
Optional Subjects
Students can choose an additional 4 or, in some cases, 5 optional subjects from the following:
- Accounting
- Agricultural Science
- Applied Maths
- Art
- Biology
- Business
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Construction
- DCG (Design and Communication Graphics)
- Economics
- French
- Geography
- German
- History
- Home Economics
- Music
- Physics
- Physical Education
- Politics and Society
- Spanish
Additional Opportunities
Our longer teaching week, with classes from 9 am to 4 pm, allows Leaving Cert students the option to undertake an 8th subject. This provides an opportunity to gain extra points while managing their learning abilities and meeting third-level matriculation requirements.
Wellbeing Programme
All Senior Cycle students follow a Wellbeing programme that includes:
- Guidance
- Religious/Moral Education
- PE
- SPHE (including RSE)
- Digital Skills
3 Key Questions in Choosing LC Subjects
1. What do I enjoy? What subjects did you enjoy in the Junior Cert and Transition Year?
2. What do I need? See information below
3. What can I get points in? Have you looked at past papers? Would you prefer Content/ Understanding or Skill-Based/ Practical Subjects What subjects got what grades last year?
Types of Subjects: Content, Understanding & Skill-Based/ Practical Subjects
| Content-Based Subject | Understanding Subjects | Skill/ Practical Based Subject |
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Information below needs to be confirmed
Content-Based Subjects
| Subject | Written Exam | Project / AAC | Suits students who… |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geography | 60% | 40% Research / Investigation | Enjoy real-world issues, case studies, and project work more than pure essays |
| History | 60% | 40% Research Study Report | Like reading, writing, debating ideas, and analysing past events |
| Biology | 60% | 40% Practical Investigation | Are curious about living systems, health, and hands-on experiments |
| Agricultural Science | 60% | 40% Investigative Project | Prefer practical learning, outdoor work, and applied science |
| Politics & Society | 60% | 40% Citizenship / Research Project | Are interested in current affairs, social justice, and discussion-based learning |
| Home Economics | 80% | 20% Journal | Enjoy practical life skills, nutrition, and applied learning |
Understanding-Based Subjects
| Subject | Written Exam | Project / AAC | Suits students who… |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physics | 60% | 40% Practical Investigation | Enjoy problem-solving, maths, and understanding how things work |
| Chemistry | 60% | 40% Practical Investigation | Like experiments, logical thinking, and real-world applications of science |
| Applied Mathematics | 80% | 20% Applied Problem-Solving AAC | Enjoy challenging maths with practical, real-life contexts |
| Economics | 80% | 20% Research / Applied Task | Are interested in money, society, and how decisions affect people |
| Computer Science | 70% | 30% Programming Project | Like coding, logical thinking, and working independently on tasks |
| Accounting | 60% | 40% | Are organised, detail-focused, and comfortable with numbers |
Skill/Practical Based Subjects
| Subject | Written / Exam | AAC / Practical | Suits students who… |
|---|---|---|---|
| Languages (French / Spanish / German) | 55–60% | 40–45% Oral & Aural | Enjoy speaking, communication, and learning about other cultures |
| Art | ~30% | ~70% Practical Exam/ Coursework | Are creative, visual thinkers who prefer project work |
| Music | ~60% | ~40% Performance / Composition | Play an instrument, enjoy performing, or composing music |
| DCG | 60% | 40% Design Project | Like design, technical drawing, and spatial problem-solving |
| Construction Studies | ~50% | ~50% Practical & Project | Prefer hands-on work and seeing tangible results |
| 80% | ~20% Journal / Practical | ||
| LC Physical Education | ~60% | ~40% Performance & Project | Are sporty, active, and interested in fitness and performance |
| LCVP - Life, Community, Work | ~60% | ~40% Portfolio | Prefer practical learning linked to work, enterprise, and careers |
Detailed Guide to LC Subjects
Practical Group
Science Group
| Computer Science |
Artistic & Creative Group
Humanities Group
| Politics and Society |
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Social Group
| Physical Education |
Business Group
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LCVP Link Modules (More Info below): Pratical Subject similar to Entrepreneurship
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Entry Requirements for Level 8 Courses in Ireland
Level 8 courses in Ireland refer to honours bachelor's degree programs offered by universities and institutes of technology. Admission is primarily based on the Irish Leaving Certificate, though alternative qualifications (e.g., A-Levels, QQI-FET) are also considered.
General Minimum Entry Requirements
Most universities require a minimum of six subjects in the Leaving Certificate, including:
- English
- Mathematics (Higher Level may be required for some courses)
- Irish (unless officially exempt)
- A third language (required for certain universities and courses)
Science and Third Language Requirements
- Sciences: Many science-related courses (e.g., Medicine, Engineering, Biomedical Science, Agriculture, Veterinary Science) require at least one or two science subjects at a higher level. Recognized science subjects generally include:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Agricultural Science (accepted as a science subject for many courses)
- Applied Mathematics (sometimes accepted, depending on the course)
- Third Language:
- Required for courses in Arts, Law, and Humanities at National University of Ireland (NUI) institutions (e.g., UCD, Maynooth University, NUI Galway).
- Not required for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) courses in universities (Health Sciences such as Medicine are an exception).
- University of Limerick (UL) and Trinity College Dublin do not require a third language for general admission, except for language-based degrees (e.g., Applied Languages, European Studies). Irish OR a Modern Foreign Language are accepted.
Points System & Course Competitiveness
Entry is determined by the CAO points system, where the points required fluctuate annually based on demand and student performance. High-demand courses such as Medicine, Dentistry, and Law typically require 500-600+ points.
Each university may have additional subject-specific requirements, so applicants should check individual course entry guidelines to ensure eligibility.
Use this link to filter the ‘Entry Requirements’ on the left-hand side of the page (for example – Languages, Higher Maths, Science) What subjects are required for which courses? Check the 3rd Level Requirements for subjects you are interested in
- Do you want to keep your options open? Take a 3rd language.
- Really don’t want to take a 3rd language and are sure you are going to study Science or Engineering? Choose a different subject
- Really don’t want to take a 3rd language with Irish and English and are open to studying in Trinity, UL or an IT? Choose a different subject
- Would you be suited to the project-work in LCVP?
- UCC
- University of Galway
- UCD
- Maynooth University
- The Royal College of Surgeons
- Pontifical University, Maynooth
- Shannon College of Hotel Management
- Trinity College
- University of Limerick
- DCU
- TU Dublin
- The Technological Universities
Should you choose a Science Subject
- Definitely interested in studying Science at 3rd level? Study 2 Science subjects if possible
- Want to keep your options open but only want to study 1 Science? Choose one of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Ag Science
- Want to keep your options but not interested in Biology, Chemistry, Physics? Consider Agricultural Science which is considered a Lab Science in Ireland
- Not interested at all in studying Science? Choose a different subject. If you definitely don’t like Sciences at 2nd level, you more than likely will not choose them at 3rd level in more detail.
