VCE Overview

The Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) is a senior secondary certificate of education that is designed to be completed over a minimum of two years, and includes general education curriculum components (VCE studies) and programs from Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualifications.

Most VCE studies are designed to provide a two-year program. Studies at Unit 1 and Unit 2 level are nationally and internationally benchmarked to a Year 11 standard, and studies at Unit 3 and Unit 4 level are benchmarked to a Year 12 standard. Units 1 and 2 can be completed as single units, and Units 3 and 4 in each study must be completed as a sequence.

Each VCE unit involves 50 hours of scheduled classroom instruction and 50 hours of study outside of the classroom. Satisfactory completion of a VCE unit is based on successful completion of outcomes. Satisfactory completion of units is determined by the school, in accordance with VCAA requirements.

Levels of achievement for Units 1 and 2 are determined by schools and are not reported to the VCAA. Levels of achievement for Unit 3 and 4 sequences are assessed using School-based Assessment and external assessments (including examinations). There is one examination period in each academic year. The General Achievement Test (GAT) is conducted in June for both academic years.

Minimum Requirements - VCE 

The minimum requirement for satisfactory completion of VCE is 16 units, which must include:

• three units from the English group (English, Literature or English Language), with both units Units 3 and 4 from the English group.
• at least three sequences of Units 3 and 4 studies other than English.

For the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) students must satisfactorily complete both Units 3 and 4 of an English subject and at least three sequences of Units 3 and 4 studies other than English.

*It is recommended that students aim to have a minimum of 5 Unit 3 and 4 sequences upon completion of their VCE at Norwood Secondary College. This provides students with an appropriate safeguard in the event of unforseen circumstances.

Study Scores

Unit 3/4 sequences are awarded a study score which is a ranking (not a percentage or a grade). The maximum study score is out of fifty (50).

ATAR

A student’s ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) is a ranking. The maximum ATAR is 99.95. It is calculated by the VTAC (Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre) using the study score achieved in the following Unit 3/4 subjects:

• English
• Plus the students next three highest study score results
• Plus 10% of the 5th (and 6th) study score results

Minimum Requirements - VCE VM

The minimum VCE VM requirement is satisfactory completion of 16 units, which must include:

• three VCE VM Literacy or VCE English units (including a Unit 3–4 sequence)
• two VCE VM Numeracy or VCE Mathematics units
• two VCE VM Work Related Skills units
• two VCE VM Personal Development Skills units
• a minimum of three additional Unit 3–4 sequences, which can include other VCE or VCE VET studies
• a minimum of 180 nominal hours of VET at Certificate II level or above