Leaving Certificate Applied

Who Should Consider LCA?

  • It is a two year Leaving Certificate for students who wish to follow a practical or vocationally orientated programme
  • Students who like practical and project based work. Those who want to go straight into the workplace.
  • Those who want to go to a Post Leaving Certificate College and gain a QQI Level 5. With their QQI Level 5 they can apply to go on to further study in one of the Institutes of Technology where, if they so wish, they can get a Degree, Masters, etc.
What Do Students Do?

The Leaving Certificate Applied programme is a two-year Leaving Certificate programme aimed at preparing students for adult and working life.

The programme sets out to recognise the talents of all students and to provide opportunities for developing personal responsibility, self-esteem and self-knowledge, and helps students apply what they learn to the real world.

The two-year programme consists of four half-year blocks called sessions. Achievement is credited in each session. Courses are offered in three main areas: Vocational Preparation; General Education; and Vocational Education.

Subjects
English and CommunicationsInformation Technology
Mathematical ApplicationsArts Education
Social EducationHotel, Catering and Tourism
Vocational PreparationGraphics and Construction Studies
Career GuidancePersonal Reflection
EngineeringLeisure and Recreation
Irish (Year 1)Spanish (Year 2)
Examinations
  • Students are examined by the Department of Education after each module.
  • Students do a detailed project called a task. They are then interviewed on this task by an external examiner. They do seven student tasks over the two years in which they can gain a maximum of 70 credits
  • There are 68 credits for completing the required courses based on assignment work and 68 credits for the examination at the end of year two.
Certification
  • Distinction – 170 to 200 credits
  • Merit – 140 to 169 credits
  • Pass – 120 to 139 credits
Benefits of the Leaving Cert Applied
  • Independent / self-directed
  • Group / Project work / Research skills
  • Time management skills
  • Self management skills
  • I.C.T. skills