Leaving Certificate Applied
Shaping Futures Through Practical Success
A dynamic, two-year Leaving Certificate tailored for students who thrive in an active, practical learning environment. Centered on continuous assessment, personal responsibility, and real-world tasks, the LCA ensures every student’s unique talents are recognized and rewarded.
Vocational Focus
Hands-on modules and practical work experience designed to build real-world career readiness.
Continuous Assessment
Success earned progressively across the two years through assignments, tasks, and projects.
Personal Growth
Developing independence, active citizenship, and confidence in a supportive setting.
How Leaving Certificate Applied Works
Unlike traditional terminal June exams, the LCA is built around four half-year blocks called Sessions. Students accumulate credits continuously over the two years. If you show up, complete your key module assignments, and achieve 90% attendance, you are banking real Leaving Certificate credits every single term. Courses are delivered across three core pillars: Vocational Preparation, Vocational Education, and General Education.
Discover the LCA Programme
The Leaving Certificate Applied is a distinct, highly practical two-year programme aimed at preparing students for adult and working life. To fully understand the structure, the continuous assessment model, and the fantastic benefits of this pathway, please watch our dedicated LCA information presentation.
LCA Subject Directory
Explore the modular courses across our three core learning pillars. Click any module brief to download the official curriculum syllabus.
1. Vocational Preparation
Vocational Preparation & Guidance
Enhances vocational development and workplace understanding. Students build essential skills in planning, communication, and teamwork while creating a personal career action plan for future pathways.
Assessment: Key Assignments (Career Action Plans, Work Experience Reports, Enterprise Projects & Community Reports).
📄 View Module BriefWork Experience (1 Day Per Week)
Timetabled every single week, allowing students to step out of the classroom to test real career pathways in live employer environments.
Assessment: Employer Evaluation Reports & Student Action Diaries.
📄 SEC Work Experience Brief2. Vocational Education
Engineering
An activity-based environment providing experience of different engineering materials and processes. Students convert raw materials into finished engineering artefacts, preparing for adult and working life.
Assessment: Key Assignments (Practical Artefacts & Working Drawings) + Final SEC Examination.
📄 View Module BriefGraphics & Construction Studies
Develops practical skills in Graphics and Construction Studies. Encourages expression using graphical communication while exploring aesthetic, environmental, and consumer dimensions of construction.
Assessment: Key Assignments (Scale Drawings, Woodcraft Artefacts & Site Investigations) + Terminal SEC Examination.
📄 View Module BriefHotel, Catering & Tourism
Helps students develop competencies of a broad personal and vocational nature. Emphasis is placed on social inclusion, teamwork, quality consciousness, interpersonal skills, and dexterity.
Assessment: Key Assignments (Running Catering Operations, Tourist Trails & Special Diet Menus) + Final SEC Examination.
📄 View Module BriefInformation & Communications Tech (ICT)
Expands on core digital skills to process data, master spreadsheets, and present ideas. Students explore how communication systems work and navigate internet ethics for working life.
Assessment: Key Assignments (Word Processing, Spreadsheets, Presentations) + SEC Practical & Written Exam.
📄 View Module BriefOffice Admin & Customer Care
Develops broad personal and vocational skills through practical activities inside a classroom practice office. Students master retailing, routine office duties, consumer legislation, and customer relations.
Assessment: Key Assignments (Workplace Visits, Office Equipment, Bookkeeping Exercises) + Final SEC Examination.
📄 View Module Brief3. General Education
English & Communication
Focuses on practical reading, writing, and oral communication across personal, digital, and media contexts. Students evaluate online sources, analyse film, and master creative self-expression for adult life.
Assessment: Key Assignments (Reflective Journals, Digital Charters & Media Studies) + Terminal SEC Oral & Written Exams.
📄 View Module BriefGaeilge Chumarsáideach
This is a practical, interactive Irish course focusing on communication skills in daily life and the world of work. It emphasises using the language as a living language.
Assessment: Key Assignments (Research Projects, CVs & Interviews) + External Examination (Oral & Written Exam).
📄 View Module BriefLeisure & Recreation
Broadens perspectives of leisure and recreation activities, offering opportunities to participate in physical activities. Encourages co-operation and motivates students to choose an active, healthy lifestyle.
Assessment: Key Assignments (Skills Demonstration, Personal Fitness Diaries & Community Activity Research).
📄 View Module BriefMathematical Applications
Prepares students for life, work, and further education through practical problem-solving. Consolidates mathematical skills by applying them to everyday life, personal finance, and employment.
Assessment: Key Assignments (Mathematical Case Studies & Portfolios of Learning) + Terminal SEC Written Examination.
📄 View Module BriefSocial Education
Focuses on personal and social development, exploring interpersonal relationships, health care, and contemporary social, economic, and political issues. Prepares students for independent living.
Assessment: Key Assignments & Contemporary Issues Task + Terminal Examination.
📄 View Module BriefSenior Cycle SPHE
Develops the knowledge, skills, and values to support physical, emotional, and social wellbeing. Empowers students to manage life transitions, nurture respectful relationships, and act responsibly.
Assessment: 100% Continuous Assessment via Key Assignments (Personal Reflection Journals, Well-being Action Plans & Health Portfolios).
📄 View Module BriefVisual Art
Develops research, making, and evaluative skills through two core modules: Individuality & Identity and The Local Environment. Explores personal expression and contemporary art in social contexts.
Assessment: Key Assignments (Self-Portraits, Environmental Field Studies, Design Portfolios) + Terminal SEC Practical Exam.
📄 View Module BriefHow LCA is Graded
The Leaving Certificate Applied is awarded based on continuous accumulation across two years, totaling 200 Credits.
Credit Breakdown (200 Total Credits)
Final Award Levels
Pass
Merit
Distinction
Reimagining the LCA at Davitt College
Our LCA programme is fully aligned with the latest Department of Education Senior Cycle reforms, ensuring our students have the most flexible, modern, and rewarding pathways available.
Expanded Subject Access
To support apprenticeship and career goals, LCA students now have greater access to standard Leaving Certificate Established (LCE) Mathematics and Modern Foreign Languages.
Modernised Social Education Assessment
Social Education now incorporates the new Senior Cycle SPHE specification. The final terminal examination has been replaced with a continuous, stress-free model where students accumulate credits through their ongoing Key Assignments.
LCA Programme Resources & Guidance
Access official curriculum statements, parent and student addendum guides, and NCCA portal documentation.
Essential Documents
Official programme statements outlining LCA curriculum specifications and framework guidelines.
Support & FAQs
Clear explanatory addendums answering key questions for parents, guardians, and students.
Official Curriculum Hub
Direct access to the central NCCA portal for complete Senior Cycle LCA curriculum specifications.
