Where to now? 2026 - Victorian Certificate of Education
The VCE is Victoria’s senior secondary qualification.
VCE opens pathways to university, TAFE or VET certificate courses, apprenticeships and traineeships, and the workforce.
It offers studies in humanities, science, mathematics, technologies, arts, physical education, and languages, as well as VET programs.
Many students choose the VCE because of its range of subjects and the opportunities it can lead to after finishing school.
You can tailor your program to your interests and can include hands-on vocational studies as well as classroom-based learning.
Most students study 5 or 6 subjects across Years 11 and 12. Most subjects are made up of 4 units, and Units 3 and 4 must be completed
as a sequence.
See a full list of VCE subjects.
To achieve your VCE
Complete at least 16 units, including:
- 3 units from the English group, including a Unit 3–4 sequence
- at least 3 other Unit 3–4 sequences.
Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR)
The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank is a ranking between 0.00 and 99.95. Your ATAR is based on your study scores and compares your achievement to all other Year 12 students. Universities may consider a student’s ATAR as part of their admissions process.
To receive an ATAR, you must achieve the VCE requirements as well as study scores in at least 4 subjects including an English subject.
What is a study score?
A number between 0 and 50 that indicates your ranking compared to all students doing the same subject in that year.
For each subject, you must complete Units 3 and 4 as a sequence in the same year and complete the required graded assessments. You need to complete at least 2 graded assessments to receive a study score.
You can choose to study only Units 1 and 2 of a subject however only Units 3 and 4 can receive a study score.
Designing your course
Choosing subjects
Apart from the required English group units, the subjects you choose are up to you. You can include an extra English group subject and some VCE VM subjects.
Choose subjects that:
- interest you
- you are good at
- will help you do what you want after school – apply for university or a TAFE course or get a job in your chosen field.
See a full list of VCE subjects.
If your school doesn’t offer a subject you want, talk to your career counsellor about other options including Virtual School Victoria, the Victorian School of Languages, a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) or another school.
If your intention is to apply for university after completing school consider university prerequisites that may be applicable in your preferred courses.
VCE over 2 or more years
Most students do their VCE over 2 years, studying Units 1 and 2 in Year 11 and Units 3 and 4 in Year 12.
Some students start Units 1 and 2 of a subject in Year 10 and study Units 3 and 4 in Year 11. Talk to your career counsellor about how to structure your VCE program to best suit you.
Terry’s VCE program
Terry enjoys puzzles and problem solving, and is considering engineering or design studies at university.
She is exploring a variety of subjects to help her decide on a pathway for future study. She loves working as part of a team and wants a career that will combine her creative and critical thinking skills.
Year 11
VCE Units 1 and 2
English
Mathematical Methods
Physics
Art Creative Practice
Drama
VCE VET
Cert II in Engineering Studies
Year 12
VCE Units 3 and 4
English
Mathematical Methods
Physics
Art Creative Practice
Drama
VCE VET
Cert II in Engineering Studies
The VCE Vocational Major is an applied and vocational stream within the VCE.
The VCE Vocational Major offers choice and flexibility for students to pursue their strengths and interests. Learning comes to life in real-world contexts that relate directly to students’ futures.
Students develop transferable skills alongside subject-specific knowledge – developing the capabilities needed to succeed in further education, work and life.
Designing your course
The VCE VM has specific subjects each made up of 4 units. Units 3 and 4 are usually completed as a sequence. Students can incorporate other VCE subjects and all VCE VM students undertake one or more VET programs as part of their studies.
To achieve your VCE VM
Complete at least 16 units, including:
- 3 VCE VM Literacy or VCE English units (including a Unit 3–4 sequence)
- 2 VCE VM Numeracy or VCE Mathematics units
- 2 VCE VM Work Related Skills units
- 2 VCE VM Personal Development Skills units
- 2 VET2 credits at Certificate II level or above (180 nominal hours).
Students must complete a minimum of 3 other Unit 3–4 sequences as part of their program.
What is VET?
VET is Vocational Education and Training and can provide credit towards the VCE, VCE VM and VPC. Students engage in nationally recognised, hands-on training in practical industry settings.
Choosing subjects
Choose subjects that:
- interest you
- you are good at
- will help you do what you want after school – apply for university or a TAFE course or get a job in your chosen field.
You can choose a combination of VCE and VCE VM studies in your program.
VCE VM over 2 or more years
Most students do their VCE VM over 2 years, studying Units 1 and 2 in Year 11 and Units 3 and 4 in Year 12.
Some students complete the VCE VM over 3 years to spread their learning over a longer period or undertake a school-based apprenticeship. Talk to your career counsellor about how to structure your VCE VM program to best suit you.
See a full list of VCE and VCE VM subjects and a full list of VCE VET programs.
Alex’s VCE VM program
Alex loves food and cooking, and would love to follow that passion into a career. He likes thinking on his feet and thinks a fast-paced restaurant kitchen will be an exciting place to work.
Alex is aiming for an apprenticeship and enrolment at a TAFE after school.
Year 11
VCE VM Units 1 and 2
Literacy
Personal Development Skills
Work Related Skills
VCE Units 1 and 2
General Mathematics
VCE VET
Certificate II Cookery
Year 12
VCE VM Units 3 and 4
Literacy
Personal Development Skills
Work Related Skills
VCE VM Units 3 and 4
General Mathematics
VCE VET
Certificate II Cookery
Marking & assessment
Students enrolled in the VCE are assessed in 2 ways: satisfactory completion and levels of achievement.
Satisfactory completion
This means you have met each of the outcomes outlined for any given subject. It applies to all VCE and VCE VM units.
Results
You will receive a result of S (satisfactory) or N (not satisfactory) for each unit. Only S results count towards your VCE. You will be assessed at a school level by teachers who know your work.
Repeating units
You can repeat a unit, but you must complete the full unit again, including all assessments. Talk to your teacher if you’re considering repeating a unit.
Scored assessment: levels of achievement
For VCE Units 3 and 4 and scored VCE VET programs, levels of achievement are determined through a mix of school-based and external assessments, including exams.
Assessment
For each VCE subject there are 3 graded assessments. The combination of school-based and external assessments will vary from subject to subject.
For each scored VCE VET program there is an assessment for school-based work plus an external assessment. Not all VCE VET programs are scored.
Results
Your grades will be calculated from A+ to E, UG (ungraded) and NA (not assessed). UG indicates that the score achieved was too low to assign a grade.
School-based assessments
School assessed coursework (SAC)
A set of tasks that assess your level of achievement in Units 3 and 4 outcomes as specified in the study design.
School assessed tasks (SATs)
SATs are set by the VCAA and test your practical skills and knowledge across the Units 3 and 4 outcomes of the study design.
Marking and statistical moderation
Both SACs and SATs are marked by your teacher.
The assessments you complete will be different to students from other schools. To make sure your results are marked fairly against other students, your school-based assessments are checked against your school’s examination results and your final results may be adjusted.
Study designs are published for each VCE subject and set out the aims and requirements for that subject. Study designs can be downloaded here.
External assessments
These are the same for every student in any given subject. Usually these are examinations, and the format will depend on the subject. Certain subjects might also require other assessment tasks.
Marking
All subjects are marked to the same standard and go through many checks to make sure marking is fair and correct.
General Achievement Test (GAT)
The GAT measures your general knowledge as well as skills in a range of learning areas. Section A of the GAT assesses literacy and numeracy standards, and this is documented in your final GAT achievement statement.
The results are used to help check that your school-based and external assessments are being marked fairly. They may also be used to calculate
a derived examination score if needed.
You must sit Sections A and B of the GAT if you are studying one or more VCE or scored VCE VET Unit 3–4 sequences.
You only need to sit Section A of the GAT if you are studying one or more VCE VM Unit 3–4 sequences.
VCE above and beyond
If you’re achieving at a high academic level, you can add more to your VCE.
Higher Education Study program (HES)
High-achieving students can consider adding a first-year higher education subject as part of their Year 12 studies. Most major universities offer HES. It can count towards your VCE and ATAR as a fifth or sixth study and gives you credit towards the first year of a university course in that subject.
Your school must approve you for the program. Visit the Higher Education Studies in the VCE page for more information.
VCE Baccalaureate
The VCE Baccalaureate recognises depth, breadth and achievement in VCE studies. It can provide opportunities and a portfolio to help your career and personal development.
On completion you will receive the Victorian Certificate of Education Baccalaureate. You must complete the VCE with:
- a study score of 30 or above for English, Literature or English Language, or a study score of 33 for English as an Additional Language
- a Unit 3–4 sequence in VCE Mathematical Methods or Specialist Mathematics
- a Unit 3–4 sequence in a VCE Languages subject
- study scores for at least 2 or more Unit 3–4 sequences.
Excellence and awards
Awards and recognition are available for high-achieving students, and students studying arts, design, literature, technologies or VCE Extended Investigation, or those involved in community service or public speaking.