What Is Home Economics
When we hear the term, ‘Home Economics’ most of us think about cooking and food. Home Economics is about much more than food however. Home Economics combines aspects of science, nutrition, cooking, parenting skills and finance. Students learn about the inter-relationships between diet, health, family, home and choice and the management of resources.


Home Economics gives students a valuable insight into:
- What’s really in the food we eat everyday;
- How to plan and cook nutritious and economical meals;
- How to choose the best food for themselves and their family;
- The importance of good nutrition and health; and
- The role of the consumer in modern eating patterns.
Home Economics delivers vital skills that enable students to lead effective lives as individuals and family members as well as members of the wider community.
Home Economics Junior Certificate Subject Overview
The Junior Certificate Home Economics syllabus provides students with the knowledge, understanding and skills necessary for living as individuals and as members of a family. In a time of rapid social change, the study of home economics is very relevant to the present and future social, creative and management needs and skills for living that are so vital to preparing every young person for the opportunities and challenges, which they will meet in the course of their lives. It provides for a wide range of educational experiences in the aesthetic, creative, physical, scientific, social, and environmental domains.
Content
The syllabus is based on a core of five areas of study that will be studied by all students and one optional study, from a choice of three.
Select the "+" to view these areas & options.
Assessment
Junior Certificate Home Economics is assessed, at Ordinary and Higher Level, through three different methods of assessment:
Food studies practical examination: HIGHER (35%), ORDINARY (45%)
An elective study project: HIGHER (15%), ORDINARY (15%)
A terminal written examination: HIGHER (50%), ORDINARY (40%)
The new Junior Cycle Home Economics course will be introduced September 2018.
Home Economics Leaving Certificate Subject Overview
The Home Economics syllabus provides students with knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes necessary for managing their own lives, for further and higher education and work. The learning experiences in home economics develop flexibility and adaptability in students, prepare them for a consumer-oriented society and provide a learning foundation for a wide range of careers in food, textiles, science, design, social studies and tourism. The subject is an applied subject combining theory with practice. It is concerned with the management of resources (material and human) to meet the physical, emotional, intellectual, social and economic needs of individuals and families. The study of home economics emphasises the interdependent relationships that exist between individuals, families and their immediate and distant environments

The syllabus is based on a core of three areas of study that is studied by all students and one elective area, from a choice of three.
Assessment
Leaving Certificate Home Economics-Scientific and Social is assessed, at Ordinary and Higher level, as follows;
- A terminal examination paper
- An assessment of the practical components of the programme, that is the food studies from the core area and the textiles, fashion and design elective (where applicable).