At School 5-18

VCE - Victorian Certificate of Education

The VCE is awarded to students who successfully complete their secondary education. It is recognised internationally, and provides pathways to further study at university, TAFE (Technical and Further Education) and the world of work.

The VCE is usually completed in Years 11 and 12, but can be started in Year 10. About half of Year 10 students undertake some VCE units.

Within the VCE students can undertake vocational education and training (VET); this can be via School Based Apprenticeships (http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vet/programs/newapprent.html) or at a training organisation (VCE VET).

VCE can be studied by adults and completed in one year. For more information, see: Beyond School - Adult VCE Return to Study

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Choosing VCE studies

Students can choose from more than 90 studies (subjects) in the VCE. Of these, 30 are VCE Vocational Education and Training (VET) programs that provide a nationally recognised industry qualification.

Each school decides what VCE studies and VCE VET programs it will offer. A VCE program generally consists of 20 to 24 studies taken over two years, and students can vary the number of units they do in a year.

When making a choice students should consider studies that:

  • interest them
  • they are good at
  • lead to a job they find appealing
  • prepare them for further training or tertiary courses they may be considering
  • lead to a VET qualification within the VCE.
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Vocational Education and Training in the VCE

Students in Years 11 and 12 may choose to complete a Vocational Education and Training (VET) program as part of their VCE. One in five senior students in government schools is currently enrolled in a VCE VET program. This means they are undertaking training in a specific industry, for example, hospitality, agriculture, information technology or engineering.

There are currently more than 30 programs from which students can choose. Undertaking a VCE VET program means that students receive a nationally recognised training qualification as well as their VCE.

In addition to VCE VET programs, students can choose to complete a VET qualification as part of their VCE. In effect, any VET qualification at Certificate II or above will provide credit in the VCE.

Students are also able to choose School Based Apprenticeships (http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vet/programs/newapprent.html)

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Extension studies

Extension studies are university subjects taken with the VCE, mostly by students who are high achievers and can handle a bigger workload. They are not VCE units and cannot be counted as part of the certificate.

Students apply directly to the university that offers the study of their choice, and should seek the advice of their school before beginning an extension study. A pass usually enables the student to take up a chosen subject at second-year level at university.

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Options after VCE

VCE provides a pathway into further study at university or TAFE, apprenticeships, traineeships or employment.

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VCE assessment and results

Students graduate with the VCE by satisfactorily completing a minimum of 16 units, three of which must be from the English group, plus three Units 3 and 4 sequences in studies other than English. Of these 16 units, 13 may come from VET.

Each unit has outcomes, which describe what students are expected to know and be able to do. The decision about satisfactory completion of units is based on a student's ability to demonstrate outcomes specified for each VCE study. There are also two types of graded assessment in the VCE - school-based assessment and examinations.

External examinations (written, oral, performance or electronic) are set and marked by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA). Most are held in November, and some examinations are held in June and October.

For more information, see: VCE- Victorian Certificate of Education  (http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/index.html)

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General Achievement Test

The General Achievement Test (GAT) is a test of general knowledge and skills in written communication, mathematics, science and technology, humanities, the arts and social sciences.

The GAT is an important part of the VCE assessment procedures. Although it isn't part of the graduation requirements and doesn't count towards your VCE results or your ENTER, the GAT plays an important role in checking that your school assessments and examinations have been accurately assessed.

If you are enrolled in Units 3 and 4 of any VCE study - whether in Year 11 or Year 12 - you must sit the GAT unless you are exempted by the VCAA.

Your GAT results are reported with your Statement of Results.

For more information, see: General Achievement Test (http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/exams/gat/index.html)

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Getting replacement VCE results

The VCAA offers a service where students may obtain a replacement certificate or Statement of Results or VET Statement of Results.

For more information, see: VCE Results  (http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/faqs/vcepaststudents.html#H3N400010)

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What is the ENTER?

The Equivalent National Tertiary Entrance Rank (ENTER) is an overall measure of how well a student has performed in VCE studies and is calculated by the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC).

The ENTER is used to select students for about half of the university courses available. It may also be used as one of a number of ranking criteria, or just to indicate whether students are eligible for selection.

For more information, see: Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (http://www.vtac.edu.au)

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How to get started

Your school can help you get started. Schools hold information sessions for students and parents and provide specific advice to ensure students have the right number and combination of units to make up a VCE program.

Website resources include:

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More information

For more information, you can contact the school, see: Schools Online (http://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/schoolsonline) or Region

Visit the Year 12 What Next website (http://www.year12whatnext.gov.au/) to see what options are open to you after year 12.