Leaving Cert Applied is a two year programme aimed at preparing students for adult and working life. The Leaving Cert Applied is often taken by senior-level school students who feel the traditional Leaving Certificate isn’t for them, but who still want to continue with school and prepare for life after they leave.
What is the difference between the Leaving Cert and Leaving Cert Applied?
Leaving Cert Applied (LCA) is split into four half-year sessions, with more emphasis on continuous assessment instead of the end of year exams.
This is different to the Leaving Cert which focuses on the final exams taken at the end of two years (5th and 6th year).
What is involved in LCA?
The different elements of the LCA include vocational preparation and general education, taken as modules at different times over the two years. You will earn credits for the work you do in each half-year session. There are final exams that take place in June – the same time as the regular Leaving Cert exams – but your grades will not depend entirely on those exams because you will have built up credits during the year.
Areas and Subjects that you can study
- Work experience – completed 1 day per week in an area of your choice
- Applying Maths in everyday life
- IT and computers
- Communication
- Hotel Catering and Tourism, Agricultural Science, Social education, Active leisure studies, Language, Engineering, Wood Construction and Graphics.
For more information: the-lca-programme-explained
National Award – Highest Grades 2024
Huge congratulations to Amy Mc Ginty who was recently presented with the National Fergal Quinn Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA) Award for achieving the maximum number of credits in last year’s LCA – the highest credits in Ireland.
What an amazing achievement for Amy who truly deserves it. Amy is pictured with her family, proud teacher and LCA Coordinator Mr Duggan, Principal Mr Mc Fadden and Deputy Principal Miss Boland. We are absolutely thrilled for Amy and her family and wish Amy every success with her future studies. 
