Victorian Certificate of Education Overview

Unit structure 

• each VCE unit is numbered 1, 2, 3 or 4 

• each unit is one semester in length 

• units 1 and 2, generally taken in Year 11, may be done separately or as a sequence. 

• units 3 and 4, all studies must be taken as a sequence. 

Assessment of VCE 

Assessment is either through exams, SACs (School-Assessed Coursework) or  SATs (School- Assessed Tasks). 

Satisfactory completion of the VCE 

For satisfactory completion of the VCE, a student must satisfactorily complete a  total of no fewer than 16 units. 

Satisfactorily completed units must include: 

• three units from the English group **, including at least one Unit 3 and 4 sequence and 

• three sequences of Units 3 and 4 studies, including VCE VET Unit 3 and 4 sequences. 

**English units may be selected from English A Units 1 to 4, English Units 1 to 4,  English (EAL) Units 3 and 4, English Language Units 1 to 4, and Literature Units 1 to  4. 

No more than two units at Units 1 and 2 level selected from the English group may  count towards the English requirement. English at Units 1 and 2 level include English  Units 1 and 2, EAL Units 1 and 2 and Literature Units 1 and 2. English Units 3 and 4  and English (EAL) Units 3 and 4 are equivalent sequences and a student may not  count both towards the award of the VCE. 

An English sequence will count as a sequence other than English when 

(a)  it is additional to a student satisfying three units from the English group, or 

(b) the  student has satisfied more than one sequence from the English group. 

Notes: 

1. VTAC advises that for the calculation of a student’s Australian Tertiary  Entrance Rank   

   (ATAR), satisfactory completion of both Units 3 and 4 of  an English sequence is also 

    required. 

2. No more than two study scores from Unit 3 and 4 sequences of the English Group of 

    studies can be included in the primary four.

Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses 

Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses may be taken as part of the  VCE Program. These are usually taken as one subject within the Year 10, Year 11  or Year 12 programs and can contribute to a student’s ATAR if they complete the  scored assessment. These courses may be classified as dual recognition, meaning they are equivalent to VCE units. 

Higher Education Studies in the VCE: 

The Higher Education studies in the VCE Program is offered by higher education institutions and is designed for independent and high-achieving VCE students.  

Two types of study, Extension and Advanced Standing, are offered through this  program. This is a special program offered by universities forsome VCE students who are very strong academically. 

Students who successfully complete a Higher Education study have the title of the study, the year of enrolment and the higher education institution name reported on their VCE Statement of Results.  

A Higher Education study may contribute towards satisfactory completion for the  award of the VCE as an unscored Units 3 and 4 sequence. 

VTAC has advised that a Higher Education Study can contribute to a student’s  ATAR as a fifth or sixth study via an increment. 

An Extension study is a first-year Higher Education study that is: 

• equivalent in content and assessment in every respect to one or more of  current first-     

  year higher education studies and constitutes at least 20 per  cent of a full-time first-year   university course 

• of a level for a high-achieving student and therefore is a clear advance on an identified   

  linked VCE Unit 3 and 4 study and commensurate in workload with an additional VCE   

  study 

• of a level that will normally allow the student, on successful completion,  to proceed to second-year study at the higher education institution in that discipline. 

An Advanced Standing study is a first-year Higher Education study that is: 

• equivalent in content and assessment in every respect to one or more of  current first-   

  year higher education studies and constitutes at least 20 per cent of a full-time first-year 

  course 

• comprised of curriculum not available in any current VCE studies and  therefore is not 

  linked to any current VCE Units 3 and 4 study of a level that will normally allow the 

  student, on successful completion,  to proceed to second-year study at the higher   

  education institution in that discipline.

The Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) is a senior secondary certificate of education recognised  within the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). It 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. 

Each VCE study is designed to provide a two-year program. Studies are nationally and internationally  benchmarked at Unit 1 and Unit 2 level 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 are designed to be undertaken as a sequence. 

Each VCE unit involves 50 hours of scheduled classroom instruction. In addition, it is expected that  students will undertake up to 50 hours of self-directed learning for each unit. 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 Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA)  requirements. 

Levels of achievement for Units 1 and 2 are determined by schools and not reported to the VCAA.  Levels of achievement for Unit 3–4 sequences are assessed using School-based Assessment and  external assessments (including examinations). 

Each VCE study has three graded assessment  components: either one School-based Assessment and two external assessments, or two School based Assessments and one external assessment. Each of the three graded assessment components  contributes to a study score. Scored VCE VET studies have two graded assessment components,  comprising one School-based Assessment and one external examination. Graded assessments are  reported on an 11-point scale with a range of A+, A, B+, B, C+, C, D+, D, E+, E or ungraded (UG). 

There is one examination period in each academic year. The General Achievement Test (GAT) is  conducted in June. 

VCE units 

Although Units 1 and 2 are benchmarked to a Year 11 standard and Units 3 and 4 to a Year  12 standard, student programs may include some Units 1 and 2 in the second or final year  and/or some Unit 3–4 sequences in the first year. 

VCE Units 1 and 2 

Units 1 and 2 may be undertaken separately or as a pair. Schools may timetable Units 1  and 2 in a sequence that is suitable for their program. Students may enroll simultaneously  in Units 1 and 2 of a study. 

VCE Units 3 and 4 

Units 3 and 4 of all studies must be undertaken as a sequence. A student cannot enroll in  Unit 4 only.

VET 

The VCE can include components of nationally recognised VET qualifications from within  the AQF. 

Training from a nationally recognised VET or Further Education (FE) qualification  may contribute towards the VCE through the following recognition arrangements: 

• enrolment in a VCAA-approved VCE VET program, or a School-based Apprenticeship or  

  Traineeship 

• enrolment in any other nationally recognised qualification at AQF Level II or above. 

VCAL Units 

The VCE can include Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) units if enrolment is  transferred from VCAL to VCE before completing a VCAL certificate. 

Intermediate VCAL  units may contribute to the satisfactory completion of the VCE at Unit 1 and 2 level, and  Senior VCAL units at Unit 3 and 4 level. 

Foundation VCAL units do not contribute to the  VCE. Combinations of VCAL Senior units may contribute as a VCE Unit 3–4 sequence, but  no study score is given. 

Entry to VCE Studies 

Students may enter studies at the level of Units 1, 2 or 3. In some studies, students are  advised to complete either or both Units 1 and 2 before attempting Unit 3, or have equivalent  experience, or be willing to undertake some preparation. The relevant advice is published  in the study design for each study. 

Units 3 and 4 are designed to be taken as a sequence; students must undertake Unit 3  before commencing Unit 4 of a study. 

Specific Eligibility Requirements for VCE Studies 

There are specific eligibility requirements for: 

• Chinese Language, Culture and Society 

• English as an Additional Language (EAL) 

• VCE Second Language studies in Chinese, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean and  

   Vietnamese. 

Chinese Language, Culture and Society 

A student is not eligible for Chinese Language, Culture and Society if they have either: 

• undertaken six months or more of education in a school where Chinese is the medium  

  of instruction 

• Resided for 24 months or more in any VCAA-nominated countries or regions. 

English as an Additional Language 

Enrolment in EAL is available only to students who have approved EAL status. A student  may be eligible for EAL status if: 

• they have been a resident in Australia or New Zealand or other predominantly English 

  speaking country for no more than seven years (and they have not arrived after 1 January 

  2012) or they are a student of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent  whose first 

  language is not English (Note: The period of seven years is to be calculated cumulatively 

  over the student’s whole  life. The calculation of time spent in Australia is made from the 

  date of last arrival plus  any previous periods of time spent in Australia or any 

  predominantly English-speaking  country. Time spent out of Australia during school 

  vacations should be included in the  accumulation towards the seven years because 

  there would have been no disruption to  education during these periods)

• English has been the student’s major language of instruction for a total period of not  more than seven years over the period of their education. 

Special Circumstances for EAL 

There are special circumstances that may be considered by the VCAA in determining a  student’s eligibility for EAL status, including: 

• minimal or no primary school education 

• material interruptions to schooling during primary years, particularly if there were  

  changes to the language of instruction 

• material interruptions to schooling after arrival in Australia. 

Circumstances not considered for EAL Status 

The following are not grounds for a special application for EAL status: 

• the language spoken in the student’s home 

• the standard of the student’s spoken and written English 

• the failure of the student’s school to provide EAL assistance to the student. 

Students who have resided and studied in Singapore or India 

VASS disables EAL approval for students whose country of origin is Singapore or India,  even though the student may have resided in Australia for less than seven years. The  school must forward the application to the VCAA for a thorough assessment. 

These applications need to include supporting school documentation and passport stamp and/or International Movement Records, to determine whether the student is eligible  for EAL. If the application is reviewed by the VCAA, and the approval granted, it will be  entered on VASS and the school will be able to enrol the student in EAL. 

VCE Second Languages 

VCE Second Language studies in Chinese, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese  cater for students who have learnt all they know of the language in an Australian school  or similar environment. All enrolments in VCE Second Language studies in Units 3 and 4  must be approved by the VCAA.

Eligibility for Award of the VCE 

The VCE is awarded on the basis of satisfactory completion of units according to VCE  program requirements. For VCE Units 3 and 4, evidence of achievement is collected by the  teacher through a range of tasks that are designated for the study, which may include  School-based Assessments. The decision about satisfactory completion of a unit is distinct  from the assessment of levels of achievement. School-based Assessment may be used to  determine both satisfactory completion of the unit and assessment for a study score. 

A student may be eligible for the award of the VCE if they have submitted a range of tasks  that may include School-based Assessments for satisfactory completion of units, but have  not been assessed for levels of achievement in the study and have not completed  examinations. In these cases, the teacher judges that the student has achieved the  outcomes for a study based on the work provided by the student, without assessing for  levels of achievement. A student must be assessed for levels of achievement in two of the  graded assessments in order to receive a study score.

If a result is not provided for the unit, the student will not receive a study score. When  making their enrolment selection, students should consider the requirements for  satisfactory completion and the award of the VCE. Not achieving graded assessments may  limit a student’s options for further training, study and work. Students should be  encouraged to attempt all graded assessments. 

The VCE is normally completed over two years, but students may accumulate units over  any number of years. It is possible for students returning as adults, and students who have  received credit equivalent to a full Year 11 in another jurisdiction, to complete their VCE in  a single year. 

Minimum requirements 

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

• 3 units from the English group, including a Unit 3–4 sequence 

• at least three sequences of Unit 3–4 studies, which can include further sequences from  

  the English group. 

The Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) advises that satisfactory completion of a  scored Unit 3–4 of an English group sequence is required for the calculation of a student’s  Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR). 

English requirement 

The minimum English requirement is three units from the English group, including a Unit  3–4 sequence. English units may be selected from: 

• Bridging EAL Units 1 and 2 

• Foundation English Units 1 and 2 

• English Units 1 to 4 

• EAL Units 3 and 4 

• English Language Units 1 to 4 

• Literature Units 1 to 4. 

The English group at this level comprises: 

• English Units 1 and 2 

• Bridging EAL Units 1 and 2 

• Foundation English Units 1 and 2 

• English Language Units 1 and 2 

• Literature Units 1 and 2. 

English Units 3 and 4 and English as an Additional Language Units 3 and 4 are equivalent  sequences, so only one sequence may be counted towards the award of the VCE. 

Units from the English group may also contribute to the sequences other than English  requirement. In calculating whether students meet the minimum requirements for the  award of the VCE, the VCAA first calculates a student’s English units. Once a student has  met the English requirement, or satisfied an English sequence, any additional sequences  from the English group will be credited towards the requirement for sequences other than  English.

VTAC advises that satisfactory completion of a scored English Units 3 - 4 sequence is  required for the calculation of a student’s ATAR. 

Equivalent studies 

Some VCE studies consist of more than four units. There are no restrictions within these  studies on the number or combinations of units that students may undertake. For example,  in VCE Computing, students may obtain credit for Units 3 and 4 of both Informatics and  Software Development. However, to obtain credit for a sequence, students must  satisfactorily complete both Units 3 and 4 from the one study. For units that are deemed to  be equivalent, there are restrictions on credit that may be gained towards satisfactory  completion of the VCE. 

Languages 

There are 49 languages available for VCE enrolment. Students may study more than one  language; however, for satisfactory completion of the VCE, students cannot count the same  units of: 

• Chinese First Language, Chinese Second Language, Chinese Language, Culture and  

  Society, and Chinese Second Language Advanced 

• Indonesian First Language and Indonesian Second Language 

• Korean First Language and Korean Second Language 

• Japanese First Language and Japanese Second Language 

• Vietnamese First Language and Vietnamese Second Language. 

Students who are enrolled to study the same language in both a VCE Languages study and  a Certificate II or III VET language qualification (either simultaneously or sequentially) will  receive credit for only the VCE Languages study. 

Recognition of VCE VET programs in the VCE 

VCE VET units make a contribution towards satisfactory completion of the VCE only if no  significant duplication exists between a VCE VET program and VCE studies or other VCE  VET programs. If there is significant duplication, students may enrol in the VCE VET  program, VCE studies or other VCE VET programs identified, but a reduced VCE VET unit  entitlement will apply. Schools should refer to VCE VET program booklets on the VCAA  website for further information on the duplication between VCE VET programs and VCE  studies or other VCE VET programs. 

Duplication between VCE VET programs and other VET or FE qualifications available  through Block Credit Recognition will be taken into account when determining the amount  and level of credit towards the VCE. 

Recognition of Higher Education studies in the VCE 

Satisfactory completion of an approved Higher Education study (HES) within the VCE will contribute towards  the satisfactory completion of the VCE as an unscored Unit 3–4 sequence. Students can undertake only one  HES as part of their VCE program. The VCAA publishes the list of approved HES annually on the VCAA website.

It is the school’s responsibility to: 

• advise a student that only one HES can be undertaken as part of their VCE program 

• ensure the student has met the prerequisite or co-requisite requirements for their    

  selected HES. 

The HESs are offered by Higher Education institutions and are designed for independent,  high-achieving VCE students. Two types of study, Extension and Advanced Standing, are  offered through this program. 

An Extension and Advanced Standing study is: 

• equivalent in content and assessment in every respect to one or more current first-year  

  university studies and constitutes at least 20 to 25 per cent of a full-time first-year  

  university course 

• of a level for a high-achieving student and comparable in workload with an additional  

  VCE study 

• of a level that will normally allow the student, on successful completion, to proceed to  

  second-year study in that discipline at the Higher Education institution. 

An Extension study: 

• is a clear advance on an existing VCE Unit 3–4 sequence 

• comprises curriculum not available in any current VCE Unit 3–4 sequence. 

Students must be approved by their school principal for participation in the program. The  school principal will certify that selected students meet the guidelines provided by the  Higher Education institutions, which may include specific tests. Where a school principal  determines that there is a need to further extend a student, they should contact the VCAA  to discuss the possibility of additional Higher Education studies enrolments. 

If students have completed the VCE prerequisite of the HES in a previous year, they are  required to have an active enrolment, and satisfactorily complete at least one Unit 3–4  sequence towards the VCE, in the same year in which they enrol in the HES. Usually, for  enrolment in HESs, students will have demonstrated high achievement across all studies  and have a VCE study score of 40 or more in the preparatory study, if applicable. In some  instances, however, students are allowed to enrol in the prerequisite VCE study  concurrently with the HES. 

ATAR Increment 

If a student successfully completes a Higher Education study, and if applicable corequisite  or prerequisite conditions were met, the study can contribute to the student’s ATAR as a  fifth or sixth study, subject to the restricted combinations outlined in Victorian Tertiary  Entrance Requirements (VICTER), which are set by VTAC. 

If a student withdraws from, or fails to satisfactorily complete, the VCE preparatory study  (either as a prerequisite or concurrently) that is a requirement of the Higher Education  study, they will not be eligible for a HES increment in their ATAR calculation, regardless of  their performance in the HES.

Returning Victorian exchange students 

Returned exchange students may apply to the VCAA to receive credit for study undertaken  overseas. The procedure and level of credit available is identical to those for students from  overseas. If students have undertaken a full Year 12 course of study overseas and have  been awarded a formal qualification, they may apply to the VCAA for a Statement of  Equivalent Qualification to the VCE. 

Overseas exchange students 

Overseas exchange students may enrol in Unit 3, Units 3 and 4, or Unit 4 only. These  students may complete some or all graded assessments and have their grades reported, but  a study score is calculated only if Units 3 and 4 are completed in the same academic year. 

VCE – Baccalaureate 

The VCE – Baccalaureate is an additional form of recognition for students who choose to  undertake the demands of studying both a higher level mathematics and a language in their  VCE program of study. 

To be eligible to receive the VCE – Baccalaureate, students must satisfactorily complete the  VCE and receive a study score for each prescribed study component. 

The VCE program of study must include: 

• a Unit 3–4 sequence in English or Literature or English Language with a study score of     

  30 or above; or a Unit 3–4 sequence in EAL with a study score of 33 or above • a Unit 3–4 

  sequence in either Mathematical Methods or Specialist Mathematics • a Unit 3–4 

  sequence in a VCE Language 

• at least two other Unit 3–4 sequences. 

Upon satisfactory completion of the VCE – Baccalaureate program of study, the student will  receive an appellation on their VCE certificate. If a student has previously satisfied their  VCE and received a VCE certificate, they will not automatically receive a subsequent VCE – Baccalaureate Certificate. 

Students may transfer from the IB to the VCE. In general, students may not enrol in a mix  of IB and VCE studies concurrently on the VCAA database. However, if a curriculum area  cannot be studied as part of the IB, students may enrol in a single VCE study. In such cases  the school should write to Student Records and Results at the VCAA, detailing the: 

• student’s current curriculum program within the IB 

• proposed VCE study to be enrolled in. 

The letter needs to display school letterhead and be signed by the principal. Following  receipt, Student Records and Results will assess the request and enrol the student in the  VCE study, where appropriate. 

IB students enrolled in Year 11 may transfer from the IB to the VCE after completing two  units of study. These students will be eligible for credit towards their VCE based on their  IB results, providing they have not undertaken any unapproved VCE units at the same time.  Students transferring from an IB program in Year 11 to the VCE in Year 12 may receive credit towards the relevant number of VCE units at Unit 1 and 2 level and Unit 3 and 4  level on the basis of their IB results (including any Year 12 IB subjects) obtained in Year  11. 

Credit will be granted only if students have completed the equivalent of a unit or a full year  of study in one or more subjects; partly completed subjects are not considered. Credit  granted specifies the number and level of units, but will not state the titles of studies or  subjects except for English. The VCAA is able to grant a maximum of 12 units of credit at  Unit 1 and 2 level and Unit 3 and 4 level to each student. 

Decisions on the amount of credit to be granted will be made by the VCAA. Credit granted  will be recorded at the VCAA and may be viewed by the school through VASS. All  applications for credit must be made on the Application for credit towards the VCE/VCAL form and be accompanied by copies (certified by the principal) of statements of results or  certificates. Original documents must not be submitted. Credit granted will be reported by  the VCAA on the Statement of Results. 

Repeating VCE Units 

There are no restrictions on students repeating units, but they may obtain credit only once  for each unit. Students who repeat a unit are required to repeat the full unit, including all  assessments for the outcomes specified for the unit, in the current study design for the year  of repetition. 

Completion of VCE units without calculation of a study score 

Schools are encouraged to support all students to undertake scored assessment wherever  possible. Scored assessment provides a more detailed record of student achievement and is  the best way to maximise opportunities and pathways to further education and training. 

The VCE does provide the flexibility to satisfactorily complete units without completing all  or any graded assessments (two graded assessment scores are required to achieve a study  score). 

In some exceptional cases, where students are at risk of not completing or have other valid  reasons for not undertaking scored assessment, a school may advise them to undertake  one or more VCE units without completing all the graded assessments or sitting examinations. In this case a study score will not be calculated for the study. 

Schools are well placed to advise parents and students in individual cases where students  may benefit from this option. It is important, however, that when students, with parental  support, make the decision to complete a unit without a study score, schools remind them  of the possible restriction this places on future pathways and that students fully understand  the greater number of pathways available when scored assessment is completed.

Student Transfer and Credit from Interstate Studies 

Credit is available at all unit levels for equivalent studies completed interstate. 

The  requirements for satisfactory completion for students with credit for interstate studies are  the same as the requirements for other VCE students, with the following exceptions: 

• students who have credit granted at any level for studies undertaken interstate must  

  satisfy the following requirement for English: three units from the VCE English group,  

  including a Unit 3–4 sequence 

• at least five of the minimum 16 units required for satisfactory completion must be VCE  

  units or credit from nationally recognised VET/FE training, of which four must be at  Unit 

  3 and 4 level. The requirement for three sequences other than English may be met     

  using credit granted at Unit 3 and 4 level. 

Students must apply to the VCAA through the Victorian school at which they are enrolled  using the Application for credit towards the VCE/VCAL form. Credit will be granted only  if students have completed the equivalent of a unit or a full year of study in one or more  subjects. Partially completed subjects will not be considered for credit. 

Credit granted will  specify the number and level of units, but will not state the titles of studies or subjects,  unless the study is English. The VCAA is able to grant a maximum of 12 units of credit at  Unit 1 and 2 level and Unit 3 and 4 level to each student. 

At the level of Units 1 and 2, schools will recommend the amount of credit to be granted,  on receipt of an interstate school or authority transcript and after consulting the equivalent  qualification guidelines. Credit recommended by the school will be entered on the  application form. 

The student’s previous school reports and certificates should be attached.  Decisions on the amount of credit to be granted at Unit 3 and 4 level will be made by the  VCAA. Credit granted will be recorded at the VCAA and may be viewed by the school on  VASS. 

All applications for credit must be accompanied by copies (certified by the principal) of  statements of results or certificates. Original documents must not be submitted. Credit  granted will be included on the student’s Statement of Results. 

Student Transfer and Credit from Cverseas Studies 

Credit is not granted at Unit 3 and 4 level for studies undertaken overseas. Credit from  overseas is available at Unit 1 and 2 level only. 

The requirements for satisfactory completion for students from overseas who have been  granted credit for equivalent study undertaken at Unit 1 and 2 level will be the same as for  continuing students, except that the student must satisfy three units from the English  group, including a Unit 3–4 level sequence. 

Students must apply to the VCAA through the Victorian school at which they are enrolled,  using the Application for credit towards the VCE/VCAL form. Credit will be granted only  if students have completed the equivalent of a unit or a full year of study in one or more  subjects. Partially completed subjects will not be considered for credit. 

Credit granted will specify the number and level of units, but will not state the titles of  studies or subjects, except for English. The VCAA is able to grant up to 12 units of credit to each student. Decisions on the amount of credit to be granted will be made by the VCAA.  Credit granted will be recorded at the VCAA and may be viewed by the school on VASS. 

All applications for credit must be accompanied by copies (certified by the principal) of  statements of results or certificates. Original documents must not be submitted. All  accompanying documentation must be in English, or have been translated into English by  a recognised translation authority. Credit granted will be included on the student’s  Statement of Results. 

Overseas students who have not completed Year 11 

If a student from overseas wishes to undertake Year 12, but has not completed the  equivalent of Year 11, the principal can make a recommendation on the student’s readiness.  

The principal should ask to see the student’s reports and other documentation from  overseas and, based on this, recommend the number of units of credit to be awarded at  Unit 1 and 2 level, including those for English. 

The VCAA may accept this advice and grant up to six units of credit. A signed statement from the principal, documenting the student’s  circumstances, should be sent to the VCAA with the application for credit. This credit  provision is primarily aimed at students who have suffered major disruption to their  education.