Engineering
Mechanical engineering materials, processes and technological applications, it's all covered.
Around 5,000 students sit Engineering each year, this is around 9% of the total number of students who sit the Leaving Cert each year. 95% of these students are male. It is a broad course, covering both theory and practice of Engineering skills. Leaving Cert Engineering helps give you a knowledge of the materials; an understanding of the processes; ability to safely use the skills and tools to do practical work and development of technological projects.
Higher Level Course Content:
- Abbreviations
- Corrosion of Metals
- Energy, Electronics & Robotics
- Equilibrium Diagrams
- Graphics and Design
- Health and Safety
- Heat Treatment
- Inventors and Engineers in Society
- Machining & Metrology
- Materials: Properties and uses
- Mechanisms
- Metallurgy
- Pneumatics
- Polymers
- Practical exam
- Project
- Testing of Materials and Products
- The Structure of Materials
- Welding
Ordinary Level Course Content:
- CNC & Centre Lathe
- Design & Project Management
- Energy, Electronics & Robotics
- Finishing of Materials
- Furnaces
- Health and Safety
- Heat Treatment
- ICT
- Machining & Metrology
- Materials: Properties and uses
- Mechanical Joining & Assembly
- Non-Ferrous Metals & Alloys
- Pneumatics
- Polymers
- Tools & Mechanisms
- Welding & Soldering
The syllabus for Leaving Cert Engineering has two sections:
- Workshop Processes: This includes all of the practical processes which may be applied in the school workshop integral to the related theory.
- Materials and Technology. This section represents the wider knowledge and technology as a whole.
The Exam
There are 3 parts to the Leaving Cert Engineering Exam.
- A Technology Project: This is based on a brief released by the SEC. Students are required to submit a model and design folio based on the brief. This is worth 25% of the overall marks for Higher Level Engineering and 30% at Ordinary Level.
- A Practical Skills Exam: This takes place for 6 hours (2 three-hour sessions), in schools in May. Students are required to show skills of drilling, machining and fitting and precision filing. This is worth 25% for Higher Level and 30% for Ordinary Level Engineering Students.
- A Written Exam, lasting 3 hours at Higher Level and 2.5 hours at Ordinary Level. This is worth 40% at Ordinary level and 50% at Higher level. The exam is made up of 8 questions, in which students must answer Question 1, and any other four questions from the remaining seven.
Future Careers
Engineering can leading to a number of careers in Engineering, Craft & Design, Construction, Architecture, Manufacturing and Biomedical Technologies.
Download The Engineering Syllabus
Download The Engineering Chief Examiner's Report