Junior Cycle

Junior Cycle runs for three years and finishes with the Junior Certificate examination. In these years you will be offered a broad general education that will provide the foundations for your future education and career.

During this time you will have to make choices about what subjects you would like to study and at what level - pass or honours. You will make better choices if you allow yourself to follow your interests and are realistic about your study abilities.

You also need to know what you will be studying, and what you might expect to learn after your years of work and effort. Most subjects build up your general knowledge and provide valuable learning for all careers. Some subjects are more specific and prepare you for similar subjects in your Leaving Cert.

Most students must study seven core subjects and can make choices on 2-3 additional courses (called 'electives') offered by the school. Not all options are available from all schools. 

SmartCareers competition winners 2011...

Prize winners Aoife Hussey (Presentation College Terenure, centre), Vicky Tarkovsa ( St Killians, right) and Sarah Monaghan (Loreto Balbriggan, left) at the LeinsterSmart Careers Competition 2011. More...	Prize winners Jamie Lane (GaelColaiste Luimnigh), Patrick Hayes (Glenstal Abbey) and Declan McCarthy (Colaiste na Trocaire) at the Munster and West Region Smart Careers Competition 2011. More...

Featured Subject CSPE Civic, Social and Political Education (CSPE) is taught to all Junior Certificate students. It aims to help you to become actively involved in your community, your country and the wider world.      More details here...

  
The subjects you study can be placed together into six 'Subject Groups' based on what is studied. For most students, choosing subjects from each group is a good idea, as you will get a good rounded education as a result. However, if you particularly dislike a subject at this stage, you should look to find one that would be of greater interest to you.

As you continue your studies from Junior Cycle onwards, you will learn how the subject groups, and choice of subjects within them, continue to grow and expand. By the time you leave school you will be able to choose what to study from a selection of hundreds of courses.