Subjects and options offered at Leaving Certificate
All pupils study Irish, English, Mathematics, French or German and Religious Education. Pupils also select from the following: Physics, Geography, Home Economics, Chemistry, Building Construction, Economics, Agricultural Science, Biology, Art, Accountancy, Business, Technical Drawing, Applied Mathematics, Engineering / Metal Work, Music and History.

English
This Department expands to take in visits to the theatre and lectures with occasional drama productions on the school stage. It has its own poetry publication,‘The Quill’.

Irish
Within the Irish Department many pupils attend summer courses in the Gaeltacht regions and groups have also been to the Aran Islands and participate in other cultural activities.

Home Economics
There are two fully equipped Home Economics rooms supported by a preparation area. Both boys and girls, become skilled in cooking, nutrition and household organisation.

Music
Both academic and practical skills are developed in our flourishing Music Department. Like art, music is a timetabled subject in first year and is available as an option in the Junior and Leaving Certificate cycles. Singing and a wide selection of instruments are taught and pupils may borrow from the school's extensive collection of instruments when they start.All instrumentalists are encouraged to play in the orchestra and/or jazz band, both of which give performances and compete at festivals during the year. The three choirs cover a large repertoire and perform regularly. As well as the experience gained in performance, pupils also attend concerts, recitals and workshops. Pupils are prepared for examination with the R.I.A.M. or a similar board.

Business
As part of the enterprise development programme, mini-companies (theoretical and practical experience) are created each year for Transition Year with emphasis on creating products and services for sale. Inter-school competition, regionally and nationally, has been very successful in winning awards for enterprise for the College in recent years.

Religious Education
Kilkenny College is one of the first schools in the country offering RE as a subject in both Junior and Leaving Certificate levels.

Art
Art is a timetabled subject in first year and then a subject of choice for the Junior and Leaving Certificates. The department offers a broad range of craft as well as the fine arts. There is an active Art Club every day after school where pupils can work on current projects helped by a member of staff. Pupils are assisted with their portfolio presentations for Art College.  This department has worked with the Arts Council Artist-in-Residence scheme with which it has produced an animation film and a portrait exhibition which won national acclaim. Pupils have also had national success in the Form and Fusion competition gaining a first and a second prize from among 3,000 entries.

Technology
Projects created each year in the woodwork, construction, engineering and metalwork departments are displayed on open days and are entered in the examination process each year.

Classroom Facilities
Along with its main general classroom complex, the school contains five fully equipped Science Laboratories. It also has an ultra-modern, fully-equipped Computer Room while all classrooms are equipped with computer access. There are two Home Economics Rooms and two Language Laboratories. The Library and Media Room features a video conferencing facility along with a comprehensive reference and computer section.