What is the VCE?
The Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) is a certificate that recognises the successful completion of your secondary education. The VCE provides pathways to further study at University, Technical and Further Education (TAFE) and to employment. It is even possible to undertake an Australian School Based Apprenticeship or Traineeship within your VCE, or VET programs.
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 or VET units.
What do I have to choose from?
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 enroll 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 a
- 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.
To obtain your VCE:
You must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 16 units including:
3 units of English or Literature
3 other unit 3 / 4 sequences (6 units)
No more than two units of Units 1 and 2 may count towards the English requirement. To gain an ATAR 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. These sequences can be from VCE studies and/or VET/VCAL programs.
Be aware that VTAC places restrictions on certain combinations of VCE and VET studies. If you intend applying for an ATAR at the end of your VCE, you will need to be aware of these restrictions, so talk to your Senior Secondary Leader.
Details of all the Senior Secondary subjects available through Bright P-12 College are provided in the Student Handbook.
