While each year of a child’s schooling is important, Years 10 to 12 offer a unique opportunity in a student’s education journey. After all, it’s at this point in Victoria that secondary school students can take steps to lock-in their future education aspirations. This is the time when they will choose their VCE subjects for Years 11 and 12.
VCE stands for ‘Victorian Certificate of Education’ and is the main, senior secondary school certificate in the state of Victoria. The VCE is typically undertaken by Victorian students in Year 11 and Year 12. While for most students the VCE is completed over two years, a student can take longer if required. For example, most Victorian secondary schools offer students the opportunity to begin some of their VCE units in Year 10. This is called ‘accelerating’.
How does the VCE work?
Let us break this down for you. The VCE is made up of ‘studies’ and ‘units’. Each study is a subject that consists of four separate units, with each of these units being a semester in length (two terms).
How many VCE subjects do you have to do?
To achieve a VCE, a student must successfully complete a minimum of 16 units. This works out as four ‘studies’ or subjects for VCE, with students having their pick out of a plethora of subjects. What is important to note is that all students must pick at least one English study.
What is an ATAR?
Simply put, ‘ATAR’ stands for ‘Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank’ and is a number that highlights a student’s rank within their year group. It’s a way of universities being able to fairly compare students when it comes to course applications and admissions. After all, it’s a nationally recognised measure that’s not just exclusive to Victorian students. ATARs across all Aussie states are treated equally, which normalises the university application process.
VCE subjects - Key Learning Areas
The VCE offers over 90 subjects across nine ‘Key Learning Areas’. These Key Learning Areas are:
English
View detailed VCE subjects list at bottom of page
What are the first steps towards choosing VCE subjects?
For a Year 10 student tasked with selecting their VCE subjects, there are a number of factors that they may like to consider. While many students don’t always have a fixed idea of which career they may wish to pursue, there are certain questions worth considering
Like with anyone, there will clearly be some subjects that ‘stoke the fire’ more than others. It is worth listing down those subjects that ignite a student’s passion and curiosity. Once completed, our advice is to find links between those subjects to see if any of them sit within the same VCE ‘Key Learning Areas’. If so, it would be worth exploring the different VCE subjects on offer within those Key Learning Areas. There could well be subjects that they’ve not yet had the chance to study in depth but would be excited and intrigued by.
For those who find it difficult to highlight subjects or areas of focus that they’re particularly interested in, it makes sense to take a look back. For certain subjects they may discover trends where they’ve enjoyed consistently high marks. Our tip is to use these subjects as a starting point when exploring further VCE options.
If a student has an idea of what they wish to study at university then it is wise to research the entry requirements - specifically in terms of VCE subjects successfully completed.
A student’s VCE subject choices can be vitally important when applying for their desired university degree.
If tertiary education is indeed an option further down the line, taking the time to consider potential degree or university course options makes sense for a Year 10 student. Having at the very least a general idea will serve them well when deciding upon VCE subject choices. Choices that broadly align to their tertiary education direction will help to ensure they’re not limited in their future options.
Whilst VCE subject choice is crucially important, so is ensuring that you have the funds in place to support your child through their lifelong education journey. Whether it’s school fees to see them through their primary and secondary education to VCE or university tuition costs further down the line, Futurity's Education Bonds may be the wise choice to start saving for these eventualities.
VCE subjects list
Each individual school will decide which subjects for VCE it offers to students. The full list of VCE subjects available is as follows:
English
Languages (other than English)
First Languages
Design and Technologies
The Arts
Health and Human Development