The Leaving Certificate Applied

The Leaving Certificate Applied is a two-year programme designed for those students who do not wish to proceed directly to higher education or for those whose needs, aptitudes and learning styles are not fully catered for by the other two Leaving Certificate programmes. Participants in the Leaving Certificate Applied are mainly engaged in work and study of an active, practical and learner-centred nature.

Aims and principles

The main aim of the Leaving Certificate Applied is to prepare participants for transition from the world of the school/centre to that of adult and working life. The programme

has as a primary objective the development of the participants’ literacy and numeracy skills
places a premium on the personal and social development of participants
provides opportunities to develop the participants’ processes of self-evaluation and reflection
encourages strong community links to complement the school or centre as a learning site
promotes the use of a broad range of teaching methodologies and participant-centred learning
provides access to further education and training.

Elements of the programme

The Leaving Certificate Applied is made up of a range of courses that are structured round three elements:

Vocational Preparation
Vocational Education
General Education

Courses are designed on a modular basis and are of thirty hours duration. Each year is divided into two sessions (September to January and February to May) over the two-year duration of the programme. Learners must take a total of 44 modules. They are also required to complete seven Student Tasks over the two years of the programme.

Click here for a programme outline

Assessment

As learners complete their course work they collect credits. It is possible to collect a total of 200 credits. A certificate is awarded at three levels: Distinction (170-200 credits): Merit (140-169 credits); Pass (120-139 credits). Students who accumulate fewer than 120 credits receive a Record of Experience.

Review

The Leaving Certificate Applied, in common with other senior cycle programmes, is currently the subject of a review by the NCCA. A Leaving Certificate Applied Committee is in place to support this work.