Art
Unlike most other subjects, only 30% of your final grade is based on a written exam in June.
The Art History course is huge and covers many topics but there is lots of choice on the paper, so hone in on the sections that you enjoy or are good at. The remaining marks are given based on a practical coursework exam in May, which includes life sketching, still life or abstract composition and design or craftwork.
Higher Level Art History Course Content
- Appreciation - Architecture and Renovation
- Appreciation - Fashion/Clothing & Jewelry Design
- Appreciation - Film Studies
- Appreciation - Gallery Visit
- Appreciation - Graphic Design
- Appreciation - Product Design
- Appreciation - Public/Street art
- Early Christian Ireland - Manuscripts
- Early Christian Ireland - Metalwork
- Early Christian Ireland - Stonework
- Europe - Gothic & Romanesque Architecture
- Europe - Impressionist
- Europe - Medieval
- Europe - Post Impressionism
- Europe - Renaissance
- Europe - Romantic Period
- Europe - Surrealism/Cubism
- Generic Qs - Categories
- Generic Qs - Movements
- Ireland - Georgian Architecture and Arts
- Ireland - Modern Artists and Designers
- Ireland - Romantic Period
- Pre Christian - Bronze Age
- Pre Christian - Iron Age
- Pre-Christian - Burial and monastic sites
Ordinary Level Course Content:
- Appreciation - Architecture and Renovation
- Appreciation - Film Studies
- Appreciation - Gallery Visit
- Appreciation - Graphic Design
- Appreciation - Product Design
- Early Christian Ireland - Manuscripts
- Early Christian Ireland - Metalwork
- Early Christian Ireland - Stonework
- Europe - Gothic Architecture
- Europe - Impressionist
- Europe - Medieval
- Europe - Neoclassical
- Europe - Post Impressionists
- Europe - Renaissance
- Europe - Surrealism / Cubism
- Ireland - Georgian Architecture and Arts
- Ireland - Modern Artists and Designers
- Ireland - Romantic Period
- Pre Christian - Bronze Age
- Pre Christian - Burial and monastic sites
- Pre Christian - Iron Age
- Sculpture
How is Art Assessed?
The Art assessment is made up of three components; the written exam (30%), the practical exam (20%), and the practical coursework (50%)
The Exam
The written exam for art is 2 and a half hours long, and tests your ability to critically and creatively analyse artwork and your understanding of Visual Studies.
The practical examination takes place within 5 hours of a single day. Students will have to create a second realised work, based on the same ideas and work of their overall coursework project.
The practical coursework is the largest component of the assessment. Students are required to produce a realised work from a stimulus. This is done over an extended period of time. In this time students produce one piece of work and plan for the realisation of their second piece that is done during the practical examination. Students should focus on skills such as life drawing, drawing from imagination and use of primary sources.
Future Careers with Leaving Certificate Art
Design, Architecture, Interior Design, Web Design, Animation, Graphic Design, Photography
Download the Leaving Cert Art Syllabus
Download the Leaving Cert Art Chief Examiner's Report (2013)
Download Advice for teachers and students