About the VCE
What is the VCE?
The Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) is the certificate that the majority of students in Victoria receive on satisfactory completion of their secondary education. It is an outstanding qualification that is recognised around the world. The VCE provides diverse pathways to further study or training at university or TAFE and to employment.
When can I start my VCE?
The VCE is usually done in Years 11 and 12 but can be started in Year 10. About half of Victorian Year 10 students take some VCE units.
What studies can I choose?
There are over 90 VCE studies, or subjects, and over 30 VCE VET programs to choose from. The VCE VET programs can also provide a nationally recognised industry qualification. See: Complete lists of VCE studies and VCE VET programs.
What can I choose from at my school?
Each school decides what VCE studies and VCE VET programs it will offer.
Your school will advise you on subject choice and if a VCE subject that interests you is not available it may be possible to do it outside school, for example at:
- Distance Education Victoria (www.distance.vic.edu.au)
- Victorian School of Languages (www.vsl.vic.edu.au).
What should I consider when choosing my studies?
When making your choice you should consider studies that:
- interest you
- you are good at
- lead to a job that interests you
- prepare you for further training or tertiary courses
You should speak to your careers counsellor before making a final decision.
How is the VCE organised?
A VCE study is made up of units. A unit is half a year, or one 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 and in the one 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. You may take more than two years to complete your VCE.
Units 3 and 4 are normally taken in your final year at school. If you are planning to take Units 3 and 4 studies in Year 11, remember that these are more difficult than Units 1 and 2.
What must I do to get my VCE certificate?
To get 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.
- Three seqences of Units 3 and 4 studies in addition to meeting the English requirement. These sequences can be from VCE studies and/or VCE VET programs.
How do I get an ENTER?
An ENTER is calculated by VTAC using VCE study scores. VTAC uses the ENTER in the process of offering university places. To get an ENTER you must complete both Units 3 and 4 of an English study (from the group above) and three other Units 3 and 4 studies in addition to the English requirement. You must also get a study score for these. VTAC places restrictions on certain combinations of VCE and VET studies so if you intend to apply for an ENTER at the end of your VCE talk to your VCE coordinator about these rules.