Click here to download more detailed information
The Leaving Certificate Applied is a distinct, self-contained 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. The programme focuses on the talents of each student and helps students apply what they learn to the real world.
Courses are offered in three main areas:
- Vocational Preparation, involving work experience, enterprise and communication
- General Education, offering life skills, the arts, social education, leisure and language
- Vocational Education.
Who is it suitable for?
Those who are most successful at LCA and who gain most from the programme are generally students who:
1.Are not interested in final examinations or who find the pressure of everything resting on one final exam too much
2.Do not intend going on to an I.T. or University immediately but who do not want to rule it out as an option in the future
3.Enjoy project work and attend school regularly
How new is the programme and is it popular?
The Leaving Certificate Applied is a two-year Senior Cycle programme introduced in 1995. It is now being offered in approx. 230 schools and centres.
What opportunities does it offer
As regards qualification for employment, the Department of Education and Science has stated that 60 credits in Leaving Certificate Applied is equivalent to six D’s at ordinary level in the Established Leaving Certificate.
What is LCA?
The Leaving Certificate Applied is a distinct, self-contained two-year programme aimed at preparing students for adult and working life. It offers alternative methods of learning and assessment for students. Students are assessed on a regular basis and all marks (credits gained) form part of the students’ Leaving Certificate grade.
There is general agreement among students who have taken Leaving Certificate Applied and their parents and teachers that the programme is an excellent preparation for adult life, for further education, training and for the world of work.
Destination of LCA Graduates -
National figures 2001 - 2003
Failte courses 3% 4.25% 5%
Apprenticeships 14% 16.65% 19%
FAS 27.5% 23.25% 22%
P.L.C. Courses 1.5% 3.46% 2%
Teagasc 1% 2.23% 3%
Other courses 0.5% 2.01% 2%
Employment 37% 36.09% 38%
Seeking employment 4% 4.25% 4%
Unknown 11.5% 7.71% 5%
Do Leaving Certificate Applied students receive a Leaving Certificate?
Yes. Students who successfully complete the programme will receive a Leaving Certificate from the State Examinations Commission. All credits awarded will be recorded on the Leaving Certificate Applied parchment.
What’s different about The Leaving Certificate Applied is that students are examined on their work as they go along.
There are 3 ways in which students gain marks:
1. Credits (marks) are awarded twice per year.
The programme is divided into half year blocks called ‘sessions’ of which there are four over the two year programme. Students are assessed on their work in January and May of each year when a session ends.
2. Credits (marks) are awarded for Tasks (major projects)
Student Tasks (projects) are assessed during an interview by external examiners appointed by the Department of Education and Science. These Tasks may be in a variety of formats - written, audio, video, artefact etc. and each student is required to produce a report on the process of completing the Task.
3. Final examinations
These take place in June with the other Certificate Examinations
The Leaving Certificate Applied is a distinct, self-contained 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. The programme focuses on the talents of each student and helps students apply what they learn to the real world.
Courses are offered in three main areas:
- Vocational Preparation, involving work experience, enterprise and communication
- General Education, offering life skills, the arts, social education, leisure and language
- Vocational Education.
Who is it suitable for?
Those who are most successful at LCA and who gain most from the programme are generally students who:
1.Are not interested in final examinations or who find the pressure of everything resting on one final exam too much
2.Do not intend going on to an I.T. or University immediately but who do not want to rule it out as an option in the future
3.Enjoy project work and attend school regularly
How new is the programme and is it popular?
The Leaving Certificate Applied is a two-year Senior Cycle programme introduced in 1995. It is now being offered in approx. 230 schools and centres.
What opportunities does it offer
As regards qualification for employment, the Department of Education and Science has stated that 60 credits in Leaving Certificate Applied is equivalent to six D’s at ordinary level in the Established Leaving Certificate.
What is LCA?
The Leaving Certificate Applied is a distinct, self-contained two-year programme aimed at preparing students for adult and working life. It offers alternative methods of learning and assessment for students. Students are assessed on a regular basis and all marks (credits gained) form part of the students’ Leaving Certificate grade.
There is general agreement among students who have taken Leaving Certificate Applied and their parents and teachers that the programme is an excellent preparation for adult life, for further education, training and for the world of work.
Destination of LCA Graduates -
National figures 2001 - 2003
Failte courses 3% 4.25% 5%
Apprenticeships 14% 16.65% 19%
FAS 27.5% 23.25% 22%
P.L.C. Courses 1.5% 3.46% 2%
Teagasc 1% 2.23% 3%
Other courses 0.5% 2.01% 2%
Employment 37% 36.09% 38%
Seeking employment 4% 4.25% 4%
Unknown 11.5% 7.71% 5%
Do Leaving Certificate Applied students receive a Leaving Certificate?
Yes. Students who successfully complete the programme will receive a Leaving Certificate from the State Examinations Commission. All credits awarded will be recorded on the Leaving Certificate Applied parchment.
What’s different about The Leaving Certificate Applied is that students are examined on their work as they go along.
There are 3 ways in which students gain marks:
1. Credits (marks) are awarded twice per year.
The programme is divided into half year blocks called ‘sessions’ of which there are four over the two year programme. Students are assessed on their work in January and May of each year when a session ends.
2. Credits (marks) are awarded for Tasks (major projects)
Student Tasks (projects) are assessed during an interview by external examiners appointed by the Department of Education and Science. These Tasks may be in a variety of formats - written, audio, video, artefact etc. and each student is required to produce a report on the process of completing the Task.
3. Final examinations
These take place in June with the other Certificate Examinations
Leaving Certificate Applied
Gorey Community School
At the forefront of education in North Wexford since 1993
Gorey Community School
HOME