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?
Types of Subjects: Content, Understanding & Skill-Based/ Practical Subjects
3 Key Questions in Choosing Subjects
Content-Based Subject
Understanding Subjects
Skill/ Practical Based Subject
Geography
History
Politics and Society
Biology
Home Economics
Art*
Agricultural Science
Business Studies
Physics
Chemistry
Computer Science
Applied Maths
Economics
Accounting*
French
Spanish
German
Music
Art*
DCG
Accounting*
Construction Studies
LC Physical Education
LCVP - Life, Community, Work (Entrepreneurship/ A practical Business subject with common paper and 3 grades)
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, current global topics, case studies, and maps; good at organising information from multiple sources and explaining it clearly.
History
80%
20% Research Study Report
Enjoy reading, writing, and debating ideas; interested in stories, past events, and cause‑and‑effect; comfortable managing large volumes of information and turning it into structured essays.
Biology
60%
40% Practical Investigation
Curious about how living things work; enjoy hands‑on experiments; can handle lots of detailed content, diagrams, and terminology.
Agricultural Science
75%
25% Investigative Project
Prefer practical, outdoor, and applied learning; enjoy understanding how plants, animals, and farming systems work; can manage scientific information and real‑world observations.
Politics & Society
80%
20% Citizenship / Research Project
Interested in people, society, fairness, and current affairs; enjoy discussion and forming opinions; comfortable dealing with theory‑heavy content and multiple viewpoints.
Home Economics
80%
20% Journal
Comfortable learning theoretical content about health, food, family life, and wellbeing. Enjoy practical life skills (cooking, nutrition, consumer choices)
Business
60%
40% Coursework / Research Element
Interested in how companies work, money, marketing, and entrepreneurship; like real‑life examples and case studies; able to understand and organise large topic areas such as finance, management, and economics.
Understanding-Based Subjects
Subject
Written Exam
Project / AAC
Suits students who… (Interests + Relevant Aptitudes)
Physics
60%
40% Practical Investigation
Have an interest in how the physical world works (forces, energy, motion); enjoy solving puzzles, using maths, and understanding why things happen; suited to students strong in numerical reasoning, abstract/logical reasoning, and spatial reasoning.
Chemistry
60%
40% Practical Investigation
Are curious about materials, reactions, and what substances are made of; enjoy hands-on experiments, logical processes, and linking science to real-world issues; suited to students with strong abstract/logical reasoning, working quickly and accurately, and numerical reasoning.
Applied Mathematics
80%
20% Applied Problem-Solving AAC
Enjoy solving challenging, multi-step maths problems and applying maths to real-life scenarios; suited to students strong in numerical reasoning, abstract/logical reasoning, and working quickly and accurately.
Economics
80%
20% Research / Applied Task
Are interested in money, markets, business decisions, government choices, and how people behave; enjoy analysing trends, graphs, and theories; suited to students strong in verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, and logical reasoning.
Computer Science
70%
30% Programming Project
Like coding, designing systems, building apps, and solving problems step-by-step; enjoy independent work and testing solutions; suited to students with strong abstract/logical reasoning, working quickly and accurately, and numerical reasoning.
Accounting
100%
—
Are organised, enjoy structured tasks, and like working with clear rules; interested in finance, business, budgeting, and accuracy; suited to students strong in numerical reasoning and working quickly and accurately.
Skill/Practical Based Subjects
Subject
Written / Exam
AAC / Practical
Suits students who…
Languages (French / Spanish / German)
55%
45% (Oral & Aural)
Enjoy speaking and communicating with others; like learning about different cultures, food, traditions, and ways of life; enjoy travel or the idea of working abroad; are interested in meeting new people and understanding how language connects to real‑world situations such as business, tourism, and media.
Art
~30%
~70% (20% Practical Exam / 50% Coursework)
Are creative and imaginative; enjoy drawing, painting, sculpting, or design; like expressing ideas visually; enjoy project-based work and exploring themes, styles, and personal interests; appreciate visual culture such as architecture, animation, fashion, photography etc.
Music
~50%
~50% Performance OR 50% Music Technology
Sing or play an instrument; enjoy performing, creating music, or experimenting with sound; have an interest in different genres, bands, composers, and music history; enjoy technology such as recording, mixing, or digital production; like collaborating with others or performing solo.
DCG (Design & Communication Graphics)
60%
40% Design Project
Enjoy design, problem‑solving, and working with shapes and structures; like technical drawing, diagrams, and using design software; are interested in architecture, product design, engineering, graphics, or visual problem‑solving; enjoy precise, structured tasks that involve spatial thinking.
Construction Studies
~50%
~50% (20% Practical & 30% Project)
Prefer hands‑on, practical work; enjoy building, making, and using tools; like understanding how houses, furniture, and structures are made; enjoy real‑world, tangible outcomes; are interested in architecture, carpentry, building design, interior design, or construction technology.
LC Physical Education
~50%
~50% Project
Are sporty, energetic, and enjoy physical activity; interested in fitness, coaching, performance, and how the body works; enjoy teamwork or competitive sport; like analysing training plans, techniques, and health; comfortable with digital tools (video analysis, performance tracking).
LCVP – Life, Community, Work
~60%
~40% Portfolio
Prefer practical, real‑world learning connected to work, business, and careers; enjoy planning, organising, and working in groups; like enterprise, community projects, communication tasks, and preparing for future employment; enjoy subjects with clear relevance to adult life and the workplace.
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.
What subjects do you need?You need both points and certain subjects to matriculate for CAO (points based) courses. The only 2 areas that are requirements for courses or a 3rd language or a Science (apart from the core subjects of Irish, English and Maths) The simplest option that covers almost all courses would be: a 3rd language, a Science and possibly a Business subject along with another subject you enjoy. 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 inA
Decision Guide — Should You Take a Third Language?
Question / Situation
Recommended Choice
Do you want to keep your options open?
Take a 3rd language (French/Spanish/German).
You really don’t want to take a 3rd language AND you are sure you want to study Science or Engineering
Choose a different subject (a 3rd language is usually not needed).
You don’t want a 3rd language with Irish + English AND you’re open to studying in Trinity, UL or an Technological University
Choose a different subject
Most students choose to study a modern European language as it ensures that they don’t rule out any course where a third language (i.e. other than Irish and English) is an entry requirement. Therefore, if you wish to keep all your options open, stick with at least one additional language. A third language is required for entry to National University of Ireland colleges for most degree programmes in Arts, Human Sciences, Social Science, Medicine and Health Sciences and some other degrees. The following NUI universities and colleges require a minimum of a Pass grade in a third language for most of their courses:
UCC
University of Galway
UCD
Maynooth University
The Royal College of Surgeons
Pontifical University, Maynooth
Shannon College of Hotel Management
Other colleges have a third language as a requirement for certain courses that have a large language component, e.g. European Studies, Languages & Marketing, Hotel Management, Languages & International Tourism. ***Health Sciences (e.g. Medicine, Pharmacy, etc) require a third language in NUI universities and colleges. – Entry to the Cadetships in the Army, Army Equitation, Air Corps and Naval Service require a third Language. – NCAD require a third language or Art – Many Science and Engineering courses include the study of French or German from scratch. No Third Language is required for the colleges below, unless it is a specific course requirement (a pass in Irish will suffice). If you are interested in studying a language in one of these college you should check the specific grade required.
Trinity College
University of Limerick
DCU
TU Dublin
The Technological Universities
*No 3rd language required for Engineering & Science in Maynooth University *No 3rd language required for Engineering, Science & Ag Science in UCD (except for DN440- Biomedical, Health & Life Sciences) *No 3rd language required for Engineering, Science & Food Science UCC *No 3rd language required for Engineering & Science University of Galway (except for GY304- Biotechnology) *No 3rd language required for Gardaí, Nursing, Apprenticeships and most PLC Courses This information can be subject to change – always check with the course provider or your Guidance Counsellor.
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.
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
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
