VCE (Victorian Certificate of Education)

What is the VCE?

The Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) is a certificate that recognises the successful completion of secondary education. It is an internationally recognised qualification that provides pathways to:

• University
• Technical and Further Education (TAFE)
• The workforce

Students may also undertake a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship as part of their VCE.

Structure and Duration

The VCE is typically completed over two years (Years 11 and 12), although some students begin in Year 10.

• Each subject is made up of units, with each semester counting as one unit
• Students usually complete between 20 and 24 units
• Units 1 & 2 are usually completed in Year 11 and can be taken as single units
• Units 3 & 4 must be completed as a sequence in Year 12

VET studies may also contribute towards the VCE.

Requirements for Completion

To obtain the VCE, students must satisfactorily complete at least 16 units, including:

• At least three units from the English group, including:
  • English / English as an Additional Language (EAL)
  • English Language
  • Literature
  • Literacy (VCE VM students only)
• At least three sequences of Units 3 & 4 in addition to the English sequence

No more than two Units at 1 & 2 level can count towards the English requirement.

To receive an ATAR, students must complete Units 3 & 4 of an English sequence.

Prerequisites for Units 3 & 4

While Units 1 & 2 generally prepare students for Units 3 & 4, some subjects are highly sequential.

At the College, prior study is required for:

• Chemistry
• Physics
• Languages (LOTE)
• Music
• Mathematics
• Economics
• Accounting

Subject Selection and Preferences

Students should select subjects carefully and list them in order of preference.

Timetabling clashes may occur, and higher preferences will be prioritised

Students unable to access Literature or English Language due to clashes will be placed in English

Students who have completed Unit 2 of a subject are generally prioritised for Units 3 & 4

Year 12 students have priority over Year 11 students in Unit 3 & 4 classes

Assessment in VCE

Assessment has two key components:

1. Satisfactory Completion (S or N)

Each unit includes Learning Outcomes set by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA).

• Students receive:
  • S (Satisfactory) if all outcomes are achieved
  • N (Not Satisfactory) if outcomes are not achieved

Students must achieve an S for all outcomes to pass the unit.

2. Results (SACs and Exams)

• Teachers assess students using SACs (School Assessed Coursework)
• SACs are marked by teachers following VCAA guidelines
• In Units 3 & 4, students also complete external exams

Exams do not determine S or N, but they contribute significantly to study scores and ATAR.

Important Notes

• Students must complete all required work, not just SACs
• It is possible to:
  • Perform well on SACs, but still not pass if outcomes are not met
  • Perform poorly on a task but still achieve an outcome

Authentication

All work submitted must be the student’s own.

Students must not:

• Copy or share work
• Provide or receive unfair assistance
• Share SAC information

Breaches may result in:

• Loss of marks
• An N result for the outcome
• Further disciplinary action

Special Provision

Students experiencing difficulties (e.g. illness or personal circumstances) may be eligible for Special Provision, including:

• Extensions or rescheduled tasks
• Adjusted assessment conditions
• Completing VCE over a longer period

For Unit 3 & 4 exams, students may apply for a Derived Exam Score (DES) with appropriate evidence.

Prerequisites for Tertiary Courses

A prerequisite is a subject required for entry into certain courses.

If prerequisites are not met, students are not eligible for the course.

Students should check requirements via the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC):

www.vtac.edu.au

The VTAC Guide is also published annually in July.

Final Advice

Choose subjects based on:

• Your interests
• Your strengths
• Your future goals

Avoid choosing based on friends, teachers, or perceived scaling advantages.