Geography at Leaving Certificate:
The current Geography syllabus was introduced in 2004 and builds on the knowledge and skills developed during the Junior Cycle programme. One main difference is the introduction of a compulsory fieldwork investigation which is corrected by the State Examinations Commission and is a project worth 20% at Higher Level and Ordinary Level. This gives students an opportunity to apply the skills developed in the classroom in a practical environment. The project has assisted students of all levels to achieve excellent points. It also helps reduce stress as this is completed in class prior to the Leaving Certificate written examination in June.
The course consists of three sections at Higher Level and two at Ordinary Level.
These are:
- Core Unit (Compulsory): Physical Geography: Rivers, rocks etc., Regional Geography: characteristics of regions & case studies of Ireland, Europe and Global examples and Geographical investigation & key skills (map reading etc.)
- Elective Unit (one elective to be chosen).
- Human Geography or Economic Geography
- Options (One option chosen) (Higher Level only)
- Geoecology or Culture and Identity or Global Interdependence or The Atmosphere-Ocean Environment.
Geography is a useful subject for many careers and courses, including geology, environment science, tourism, urban planning, meteorology, horticulture, etc.
Trinity College Dublin will accept geography as a science subject for a small number of courses. You should investigate this further if this applies to a course of interest to you.
Geography & Senior Cycle Redevelopment
As part of the redevelopment of senior cycle, it is envisaged that a revised specification for Leaving Certificate Geography will be introduced in schools from September 2026. Geography is part of Tranche 2 subjects. Below is an infographic outlining the Key Competencies students will be developing in the Senior Cycle.
More information can be found by following this link: https://ncca.ie/en/senior-cycle/curriculum-developments/geography/