Student Experiences of the Leaving Certificate Applied Programme

APPENDIX 1 165tasks may be in a variety of formats – written, audio, video, artifact etc.Each student is also required to produce a report on the process ofcompleting the task. As with the LC and the LCVP, the LCA finalexaminations are organised by the State Examinations Commission as partof the timetable for Junior and Leaving Certificate Examinations, andinclude written, oral and practical components. Students who successfullycomplete the programme will receive a Leaving Certificate from theDepartment of Education and Science. All credits are recorded on the LCAparchment. Students who do not complete the programme receive aRecord of Experience.In design and structure, the LCA is pedagogically radically different toother programmes on offer in senior cycle. The pathways out of LCA arealso different to other programmes at senior cycle. Direct access to thirdleveleducation through the CAO system is not possible immediately uponcompletion of the LCA, but students can access third-level via postsecondarylevel education, particularly PLC courses at NCVA level 2. Afterobtaining a FETAC Level 2 award on a PLC, it is possible for students toprogress to third-level certificate courses in the Institutes of Technologythrough the Higher Education Links scheme. FÁS apprenticeship coursesaccept LCA as a qualification for entry to standards-based apprenticeships.