About the VCE
What is the VCE?
The Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) is a certificate that recognises the successful completion of your secondary education. It is an outstanding qualification that is recognised around the world. The VCE provides pathways to further study at university, Technical and Further Education (TAFE) and to employment. It is even possible to undertake a School Based Apprenticeship or Traineeship within your VCE.
When can I start my VCE?
The VCE is designed to be undertaken in Years 11 and 12 but can be started in Year 10. About half of Victorian Year 10 students undertake some VCE units.
What is a VCE program?
A VCE program is the entire set of studies you will undertake to complete your VCE.
You can choose from a wide range of VCE studies.
What do I have to choose from?
In the VCE there are over 90 studies, or subjects, and over 30 VCE Vocational Education and Training (VET) programs to choose from. The VCE VET programs also provide a nationally recognised industry qualification. There are other choices too, for example in History you could study Australian History, Renaissance Italy or Revolutions. You can also choose from several Mathematics studies or study Group or Solo Music Performance. There are also 46 Languages Other Than English (LOTE) studies available. See: Complete lists of VCE studies and VCE VET programs.
A VCE study is made up of units. A unit is half a year or a semester in length. Units 1 and 2 can be taken as single units – that is, just the Unit 1 or just the Unit 2 – but Units 3 and 4 must be taken as a sequence of two units. If you enrol in Unit 3 in a study, you will also be expected to enrol in Unit 4 of that study, usually in the same year.
A VCE program will generally consist of 20 to 24 units taken over two years, although you can vary the number of units that you do in one year.
Units 3 and 4 are normally taken in your final year at school. If you are planning to take some Units 3 and 4 in Year 11, remember that these are more difficult than Units 1 and 2.
When making your choice you should consider studies that:
- interest you
- you are good at
- lead to employment that you find appealing
- prepare you for further training or tertiary courses that you are considering
- provide VET recognition; that is, a VCE VET program leading to a VET qualification within your VCE.
What can I choose from at my school?
Each school decides what VCE studies and VCE VET programs it will offer and the timetable for offering them.
You may also be able to undertake study outside your school (for example, through the Victorian School of Languages or a Registered Training Organisation (RTO)), if your school is unable to provide a particular study in which you are interested.
You should check not only which VCE studies your school offers, but also that the studies you choose fit in with your school's timetable.
Am I eligible for Distance Education?
For information about Distance Education Victoria (eligibility, subjects offered, enrolments, etc.) go to www.distance.vic.edu.au
What must I include in my VCE program?
Your school will provide advice to ensure that you are undertaking the right number of units and the right combination of units to graduate with your VCE. You will be given the opportunity to endorse your enrolment and check your eligibility on a Personal Details form early in the year.
To obtain your VCE, you must satisfactorily complete at least 16 units.
Regardless of how many units you do altogether, you must satisfactorily complete:
At least three units from the English Group listed below:
- Foundation English Units 1 and 2
- English Units 1–4
- English as a Second Language (ESL) Units 3 and 4
- English Language Units 1–4
- Literature Units 1–4
No more than two units of Units 1 and 2 from the English Group may count towards the English requirement. You will need three sequences of Units 3 and 4 studies in addition to meeting the English requirement. These sequences can be from VCE studies and or VET/VCAL programs.
To gain an Equivalent National Tertiary Entrance Rank (ENTER) you must complete both Units 3 and 4 of an English sequence. You will need three sequences of Units 3 and 4 studies in addition to the sequence chosen from the English group. You need to be aware that the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) places restrictions on certain combinations of VCE and VET studies. If you intend applying for an ENTER at the end of your VCE, you will need to be aware of these restrictions. Talk to your VCE coordinator.