The Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme is a practical programme which students can choose in addition to their seven/eight Leaving Certificate subjects. In LCVP there is a focus on enterprise and preparation for working life. This two-year programme combines the academic strengths of the Leaving Certificate with a dynamic focus on self-directed learning, enterprise, work and the community. In most ways the LCVP is like the established Leaving Certificate. What makes it different is that students take some of their Leaving Certificate subjects from a specified set of vocational subjects, study a recognised course in a modern European language (French) and have two additional courses, called Link Modules, in the areas of Preparation for the World of Work and Enterprise Education.
LCVP students follow the same subject syllabi and are assessed in the same way as their peers in the Leaving Certificate. For the Link Modules they are assessed by Written Examination (40%) and by Portfolio of Coursework (60%). The written examination takes place on the first Wednesday in May of the Leaving Certificate Year. The examination is of two and a half hours duration and consists of three sections which are outlined below.
The structure of the Written Examination is as follows:
| Section A | Audio Visual Presentation |
| Section B | Case Study (received in advance by students) |
| Section C | General Questions (4 out of 6) |
The Portfolio of Coursework accounts for 60% of total marks. Students assemble the portfolio over the two years of the programme and it is assessed at the end of the final year of the Leaving Certificate. The Portfolio and Written Examination are externally assessed by the Department of Education & Science.
| LINK MODULES - PORTFOLIO OF COURSEWORK |
| CORE ITEMS |
| Curriculum Vitae Career Investigation Enterprise/Action Plan Summary Report |
| OPTIONAL ITEMS (any two) |
| Diary of Work Experience Enterprise Report Recorded Interview/Presentation Report on My Own Place |
Certification
LCVP students receive the same certificate as other Leaving Certificate students but their Certificate includes an additional statement of the results of the Link Modules.
Grades for the Link Modules are as follows:
| Grade | Percent |
| Distinction | 80% – 100% |
| Merit | 65% – 79% |
| Pass | 50% – 64% |
The Link Modules are recognised for points purposes by the Institutes of Technology and the Universities. The points are allocated as follows:
| Grade | Universities and Institutes of Technology Award |
| Distinction | 66 points |
| Merit | 46 points |
| Pass | 28 points |