The Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP) is a Leaving Certificate with a strong vocational aspect.
The programme consists of Leaving Certificate subjects, together with two short courses called link modules. The link modules are Enterprise Education and Preparation for the World of Work. LCVP students take at least five Leaving Certificate subjects, two of which must be chosen from a list of subject groups. They must also study Irish and a modern European language.
The subject groups put Leaving Certificate subjects that complement each other into groupings. There are two groupings:
Specialist Group, in which the subject content of each subject is helpful to the other
Services Group, where the subjects work well together from a business or commercial point of view.
The link modules are activity-based, and are designed to give students the chance to apply what they are learning to real life situations. Work experience and career investigation are important parts of the LCVP.
The Leaving Certificate subjects are examined through the standard Leaving Certificate examination. The Link Modules are assessed in a written examination representing 40% of total marks and a portfolio of coursework representing 60% of total marks.
Students receive the same certificate as other Leaving Certificate students, but their Leaving Certificate includes an additional statement of the results of the Link Modules.