leaving cert art coursework

Art - Higher

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:

• Europe - Gothic Architecture
• Europe - Neoclassical
• Europe - Post Impressionists
• Europe - Surrealism / Cubism
• Pre Christian - Burial and monastic sites

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 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

Past Papers

Community activity.

Students taking the leaving Certificate examination in 2023 will be following the new revised course. The course requires students to research, create and respond to their own art and the work of other artists.

Exam Structure

Practical coursework Project 50%

Practical invigilated examination 20%

Visual Studies Written examination 30%

The Art course for Leaving Certificate consists of two parts. The Coursework (practical) and Visual Studies (Art History). 

Imaginative composition/Still life and the craft. Students will complete a coursework project. They will explore a theme, document their research, produce a range of drawings made from primary sources, produce development (planning) pages for two finished pieces. They will realise one finished piece during this body of time and the second finished piece will be completed during a 5 hour invigilated examination.  

Visual Studies

Students will complete a written examination on Visual studies based on their thoughts, knowledge, and observations of work by professional artists and imagery in wider visual media.   This subject would suit a student who is experimental, enthusiastic, resilient, independent, imaginative, and organised. Time management, listening skills and communication skills are extremely important for this subject.

Assessment and results and other points

The number of students receiving H1 and H2’s has increased in recent years. The art history will be assessed with all other written papers during the LC exams. All the practical work will be assessed by a visiting examiner. The time frame for the practical work is 10 weeks from Jan onwards in 6th year. It clearly states on the circulars from the Department that all the work should be done in school and parents and students should not be concerned that the project will eat into the other subjects time.   It is also a much better system for students who work slowly of have great difficulty performing under pressure as now the work is progressive rather than exam based. Students who are preparing a portfolio for Art College will find that the new revised syllabus will benefit and work in their favour, and some of their classwork may be viable in their portfolio. For pupils who are studying architecture or related courses -  Art and DCG is an excellent combination. Overall the new course encourages greater individuality and creativity.

Further Progression

Art can be great preparation for any career that requires fine motor skills, presentation skills, an eye for aesthetics and creative thinking. There are many diverse possibilities –  Artist, , architect, product designer, interior designer, packaging designer urban designer/town planner, set designer, industrial designer, illustrator, art therapist, fashion designer/dressmaker, surgeon, teacher, advertising director, photographer, animator, concept artist, web designer, television/film producer, editor, museum curator, special effects makeup, photo journalist, curriculum writer, art critic, arts administrator, arts and cultural planner, courtroom artist, stylist, art dealer, art supplies retailer.

Leaving Cert Coursework – Circulars

Here are links to Circulars sent out to schools regarding the Leaving Certificate Coursework Examination. We have bulleted some points (including quotes) from these circulars that we feel should be brought to your attention, however, we advise that you read all Circulars in full. 

Circular S93/17, Arrangements for Coursework;

https://www.examinations.ie/misc-doc/EN-EX-95844141.pdf

• “…the tamper evident envelopes and other materials required for the secure storage of the completed artwork in the school will be provided to you by the SEC as we near the completion date of 23 March.”
• “The Department of Education and Skills has previously advised schools of its expectation that, in line with normal timetabling, students would have approximately 30 hours of supervised class time over the ten-week period for carrying out the coursework.”
• As this is not a change to the syllabus, but a change in the examination format, “…the SEC wishes to reiterate our previous assurance that the standard of work that candidates are expected to produce in creating their final artefacts remains unchanged from that expected under the previous arrangements. As candidates previously produced this work during two comparatively short invigilated examinations following a two-week preparatory period, teachers are asked to bear this in mind when conveying expectations to candidates”
• The original pilot was carried out over 6 weeks. As expressed in the following quote, the additional 4 weeks has been added, taking into consideration the various disruptions that may occur in schools during the examination period; “This quantum of time, 30 hours of supervised class time over the ten-week period, was arrived at following feedback from schools involved in the piloting of these arrangements that the original quantum of time allocated in the pilot was insufficient. It is considered this substantially increased amount of time will be beneficial to teachers and students, will relieve any possible time pressure and will allow for flexibility in continuing with other work over the coursework period and/or allowing for occasional school closures or other unanticipated loss of class time.”
• If a candidate misses time due to exceptional circumstances, the procedure is similar to that of the previous examination format;  “…additional supervised time outside of normally timetabled class time should not be made available unless some exceptional circumstance applies. Such exceptional circumstance might involve, for example, an illness that prevents a candidate from attending school for a significant part or all of the ten-week period. An application for an extension on medical grounds must be made to the SEC and each candidate will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. The candidate may be afforded the time to make up the coursework hours, provided that the school is in a position to facilitate the direct supervision of this work by the teacher and for the work to be duly authenticated. The candidate’s absence due to illness must be supported by medical evidence (e.g. medical certificate) and the proposed alternative arrangements must be agreed in advance between the SEC and the school authority. In these circumstances, the coursework must be completed at the earliest possible opportunity and in any event not later than the commencement date of the Life Sketching practical in May.”
• The coursework workbooks will be sealed on March 23 rd into a tamper evident envelope. A separate tamper evident envelope will be provided to contain the life drawing component in May. These envelopes will both remain in the school for examination.
• As is SEC policy for all subjects, marking schemes are not published until after the examination period. However, the SEC have provided the following breakdown; “…40% of the marks awarded will be based on the evidence presented in the candidate’s workbook, with the remaining 60% being based on the realised artefacts produced.”
• As was the procedure for the previous examination format, and similar to that of the current Junior Certificate examination, completed exam work must be stored securely in the school until the SEC examiners visits in June 2018, and must continue to be stored securely until the appeals processes have finished.

Circular S81/16, Revised Assessment Framework

https://www.examinations.ie/misc-doc/EN-EX-90496486.pdf

• “Candidates will be required to nominate their level of entry (Higher or Ordinary) at the time they carry out their coursework as the coursework will be graded to a standard appropriate to the selected level, and the Life Sketching component will continue to involve different poses at Ordinary and Higher Level. The History and Appreciation of Art examination will continue to be held as a written examination at separate levels as part of the June.”
• “The second of the two DES circulars mentioned above recommended that 30 hours of class time be made available to candidates over the course of the ten-week period to facilitate completion of the coursework. Please note that it is not envisaged that candidates be provided with further time significantly above that  amount.”

The subject must be formally timetabled (with timetable available to Commission personnel)

T he school/centre must be available for monitoring by Commission personnel

The Practical Coursework must be completed under the required conditions as set out for individual subjects

Practical Coursework must be conducted under the supervision of a class teacher with the work authenticated by the teacher and principal in accordance with this circular. (Circular letter S69/04)”

• “It is vital to note immediately the implications of the changed examination arrangements for any students who might have intended to take Art as an additional subject outside of the normal school setting, either on their own or with private tuition outside of a school or centre. As it is not possible to meet the authentication requirements in these circumstances, coursework cannot be accepted from such candidates. Since they will forfeit the coursework marks, the maximum number of marks that they can achieve is effectively capped at 50% of the marks available for the subject (these being the marks for the invigilated Life Sketching examination and the written paper on History and Appreciation of Art).”

Learn & Explore

Leaving cert art resources.

Click here to download an interactive PDF file with lots of online art resources from Crawford Art Gallery for Leaving Certs.

We are keen to support teachers and students, if you have a specific question about an exhibition please feel free to contact us.

(0)21 490 7857 [email protected]

Emmett Place, Cork, Ireland T12 TNE6 Tel: 021 480 5042 [email protected]

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Opening Hours N.B. Last entry is 15 minutes before closing Monday–Saturday 10.00am–5.00pm* Thursday until 8.00pm

Sundays and Bank Holidays 11.00 am – 4.00pm

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Draft Leaving Certificate Art Specification

• Creator: NCCA
• Subject: specification, leaving certificate, art, senior cycle, post primary, craft, design
• Publisher: NCCA
• Type: Draft Specifications
• Rights: © National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. All Rights Reserved.
• Draft Leaving Certificate Art Specification EN

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Senior Cycle Art

Welcome to the Curriculum section for Senior Cycle Art. 

Please find the Link to the Leaving Certificate Art Syllabus below:

Art Curriculum Syllabus (until 2022)  

https://www.curriculumonline.ie/getmedia/ca08dbe2-98aa-499e-b0f8-cd8446302f96/SCSEC06_Art_Syllabus_Eng.pdf

Please find links to the new Leaving Certificate Art Specification below:

• Leaving Certificate Art Specification
• https://curriculumonline.ie/getmedia/d809df63-51e4-43dc-b091-3c5f18a8312d/Leaving-Certificate-Art-Specification_EN.pdf
• Leaving Certificate Art Specification (Gaeilge)
• https://curriculumonline.ie/getmedia/1eb9c70b-89fb-486e-9035-20c35e3543bc/Leaving-Certificate-Art-Specification_GA.pdf

The ‘Advice for teachers and students’ section of the new Leaving Certificate Art Specification can be found below:

https://www.curriculumonline.ie/Senior-cycle/Senior-Cycle-Subjects/Art/Advice-for-teachers-and-students/

S93/19 Leaving Certificate Art (Including Crafts) 2020 – Arrangements for Coursework 

0061/2019 Curriculum-related developments at Senior Cycle with particular reference to school years 2019/20, 2020/21, 2021/22

S81/16 Leaving Certificate Art (Including Crafts) – Revised Assessment Framework – Arrangements for Coursework Component from 2018 Onwards

Please click here to access this webinar .  You may also wish to access the following documents before viewing the webinar:

Click here to download the Draft Leaving Certificate Art Coursework Workbook

Click here to download the Draft Leaving Certificate Art exam paper for webinar

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Art History Leaving Cert

I am an Artist and Art Teacher. I am building this website to help students prepare for the Leaving Cert Art History Exam.

Please use the menu at the top of the page to navigate this website.

This site is under construction. I would appreciate feedback or queries from viewers using the contact form below.

As the exam in looming, and because I feel that Giotto is always a winner, I have added some of my very old Giotto notes (pre – internet) below to download GIOTTO scans

Written by Deirdre Morgan. Updated 29th May 2021.

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Patricia Crowley teaches the new Leaving Cert Art course. She has over 30 years teaching experience. As well as preparing students for the written exam in Visual Studies, she also supports students with their Art practical course work.   Patricia’s …

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LC Art 2023 - Important Information

Important information in relation to Art for Leaving Certificate 2023, have been released.

The documents have been published on the SEC Website @  www.examinations.ie

• Exam Information
• Project and Practical Coursework

Leaving Cert 2024: Exam survival guide for students (and parents)

Exams get under way on wednesday, june 5th, with english paper one at 9.30am.

Try organising revision notes backwards, starting from your last exam, identifying the periods of time you have available before each paper to finally review your notes and sample answers. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill

Take a deep breath: Wednesday morning will see the first of this year’s written papers in the Leaving Certificate when English paper one lands at 9.30am.

It is normal for students to feel stressed and anxious – but there and here are some simple tips that can help you dial down the anxiety levels.

What’s the most important thing to do to prepare for the exams?

Organise your revision notes for the examination papers in each subject. Try organising them backwards, starting from your last exam, identifying the periods of time you have available before each paper to finally review your notes and sample answers.

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When you have completed this process, you will have a clear picture of how you are going to use every hour available to you. It will help you make sure all sections of every paper have identified time slots for final revision.

What should I do each morning before leaving for my exam centre?

Review each day’s subject requirements before leaving home. Remember, different papers require you to have different instruments and materials. Check your other daily requirements such as water, other forms of nourishments, transport costs where appropriate and so on.

Get there on time. This year students will be required to be in their assigned seat in the exam centre at least 30 minutes before the start time of exams on day one, and at least 15 minutes in advance of their exams on subsequent days.

Leaving Cert students. Photograph: Eric Luke

How should I manage the first 15 minutes of each paper?

When you sit into your seat each day, arrange your writing instruments and other items that you will require over the duration of the exam.

When the invigilator arrives at your desk, they will offer you a choice of subject’s level in that session’s exam subject. Always opt for the paper you have prepared for. Never attempt to change levels at the last minute, as this is always a negative side effect of exam nerves.

Once you receive your paper, read it carefully and fully before you do anything else. Start to sketch out, at the back of your answer book, the answers to every question you are planning to answer. You will not be able to fully complete this task in the first few minutes, but your brain will continue to reflect on all the questions you select over the period of the entire examination, as you begin to write.

When you have completed this initial brainstorming process to the best of your ability, start working on the first question, selecting the one you feel most comfortable with.

How do I get the maximum out of the paper before I hand it up?

If at the end of your last question you still have a few minutes left until you must hand up your paper, you can always add a few extra marks by rereading your script. As any successful writer knows, a first attempt at writing any piece is always improved by rereading.

Leave at least half a page free at the end of each question so you can add extra material – if you want to – at the end of the exam. New ideas will occur to you as you read back your answer. Don’t bother trying to erase any written content. Just draw a line through any incorrect material and add the new content at the end of that page.

Know the exam schedule. Pin the timetable up prominently at home, with each exam to be taken highlighted. Photograph: iStock

How can parents help their children get through the next few weeks?

Know the exam schedule. Pin the timetable up prominently at home, with each exam to be taken highlighted. In the stress of the whole exam period, you need to always be aware when they must be in the examination centre.

Try drawing up a checklist of daily requirements based on the day’s exams. Writing instruments and other requirements – such as rulers, erasers, and calculators – should be checked.

After each day’s exams, parents should allow their son or daughter to recount their daily story. Do not be tempted to review in detail with them the errors or omissions they may have made. Simply allow them the time and space to tell their story and move on to the next challenge and the next paper.

Help them focus on the next challenge. It can be helpful to your son or daughter to review the paper or papers immediately ahead. Simple questions around the nature of the exams can be very useful in helping your son or daughter to focus on what’s next.

Finally, try not to overhype the importance of any exam. Parents need to be aware that sons or daughters taking the Leaving Cert can sometimes mistakenly believe that their standing in their parent’s eyes is dependent on their success in the examination.

Ensure your son or daughter is clear that your love and regard for them is in no way dependent on how they perform in any exam. This affirmation is the greatest gift you can give them at the start of their Leaving Cert.

It’s perfectly normal for anxiety levels to run high during important examinations at any stage of life. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill

Peak anxiety? Five ways to manage stress at exam time

It’s perfectly normal for anxiety levels to run high during important examinations at any stage of life.

Instead of trying to eliminate it, students should try to set about managing it and accept that certain levels of anxiety are useful when it comes to high-pressure situations such as the Leaving Cert.

1. Trust in what you have done to date

Anxiety comes from fear of the unknown, and so any situations where you are assessed under pressure, such as a job interview or an exam, amplify this uncertainty. Students can become consumed by the unknowns and therefore immobilised by the lack of control they have over the outcome, and this can result in panic. However, students should concentrate on the “knowns” and attempt to reassure themselves that they have prepared to the best of their ability for the exams. They are in a far stronger position to answer the questions that will be asked this year, given the far wider range of choices. This realisation should help them manage the higher-than-normal levels of stress associated with formal examinations.

2. Focus on your own preparations

Do not compare your preparation with others, as you will always judge yourself to be not doing enough or as much as you feel you should.

3. Try to take control of your anxiety

Use it to motivate you to consolidate what you know already, rather than allowing it to distract you with worst-case-scenario unknowns.

4. Put it into perspective

Where the anxious voice in your head is dominating the discussions, remember to invite two other influences to join the conversation, namely “context” and “perspective”. These will help you to counter-argue your anxious thoughts and manage the unwelcome guest of anxiety in your life.

5. This will pass

Always remember that anxiety is only here for a short period of time and soon it will be gone. After this final fence is jumped, you will have the summer to relax and look forward to a life of further in-person study in college or employment/apprenticeship in the autumn.

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