Construction Studies - Higher
From planning through to the finished product. Here you will learn everything about building.
People who do well in Construction Studies are normally into working with their hands and maybe did something like Tech Graphics or Woodwork for the Junior Cert.
Higher Level Course Content:
- Condensation & Air Tightness
- Conservation & Restoration
- Doors
- Drainage
- Fireplaces & Fire Prevention
- Floors
- Foundations
- Heat & U-Value Calculations
- Heat Loss & Insulation
- Hot Water & Space Heating
- Passive Design
- Planning, Sustainability & Environment
- Project & Practical
- Question 1: Drawing Questions
- Roofs
- Services: Water, Gas, Electricity...
- Site Safety
- Sound
- Stairs
- Sustainability & the Environment
- Walls
- Windows & Light
- Wood, Rot & Ventilation
Ordinary Level Course Content:
- Air Tightness & Condensation
- Concrete
- Drainage
- Fire Places & Fire Prevention
- Foundations, Floors & Walls
- Heat & U value calculations
- Heat Loss & Insulation
- Hot Water & Space Heating
- Planning, Sustainability & Environment
- Question One Drawing Questions
- Roofs
- Services, Water, Gas, Electrical
- Site Safety
- Sound
- Windows & Doors
- Wood, rot & Ventilation
Assessment
The assessment at both Higher and Ordinary levels consists of three components:
- written exam
- coursework
- practical skills test
The Written Exam
The written exam is a 2.5-hour exam at Ordinary level and a 3-hour exam at Higher Level. The number of questions and marks allocation varies between levels.
At Ordinary level, the written exam is 200 marks. Students must attempt four questions out of nine. Students must attempt Question 1, a scaled drawing question, and answer 3 more questions from the remaining 8.
At Higher level, the written exam is 300 marks. Students must answer five questions out of ten. Similarly, Question 1 is compulsory, and students must then answer four other questions from the remaining nine.
Practical Skills test
A 4-hour practical where you get to show off your woodworking skills. It’s just like an exam (no notes, no mobile phones) and it is worth 150 marks for both levels. Normally this is about a month before the rest of the Leaving Cert exams start.
Coursework
A Building Project where the student makes a building detail, a scale model of a building or a craft piece. The student also produces a portfolio to accompany the project that they make. This accounts for 150 marks.
Future Careers with Leaving Certificate Construction
Construction is not a requirement of any third-level course. Possible careers include; Builder, Plumber, Architect, Engineer, Roofer, Planner.
Download the Leaving Cert Construction Studies Syllabus
Download the leaving cert Construction Studies Chief Examiner's Report (2013)
