Subjects and courses
What categories of subjects/courses are available for study in the senior secondary school credentialling program in Tasmania?
Courses
All courses and qualification accredited or recognised by the TQA are described in a common way in terms of three factor: ccomplexity (or depth of learning), size (or volume of learning) and robustness (the strength of the quality assurance backing up qualification). This common framework applies to senior secondary courses, VET qualifications and competencies and higher education courses.
The level of complexity of any course is indicated by a level number from 1 (lowest) to 8 (highest). Senior secondary courses are at one of the first three of these levels - TQA level 1 is the lowest and TQA level 3 the highest level of complexity for senior secondary courses.
The size of courses is indicated by a size value code. For senior secondary courses one size value represents 10 hours of design/nominal delivery time. For example: size value 15 = 150 hours; and size value 10 = 100 hours.
Design/nominal delivery times indicate the amount of class contact time (or its equivalent) that the majority of students would require to complete the course.
Robustness is classified on a five point scale, where 1 is the lowest level. TQA senior secondary courses with external assessment are rated at 4 on this scale.
Courses that contribute to the calculation of Tertiary Entrance Ranks (TER)
The University of Tasmania (UTAS) determines the rules and procedures for tertiary entrance. Higher education institutions set the minimum standards they require for entry to particular courses. As part of its partnership with the University of Tasmania, the TQA calculates tertiary entrance scores and converts these to nationally comparable tertiary entrance ranks (TER) using agreed rules and procedures.
Only TQA accredited courses at the highest level of complexity (TQA 3) and TQA recognised University of Tasmania High Achiever Program courses contribute to the calculation of a TER.
An up to date list of all TQA accredited courses that contribute to the calculation of TER can be found in the TQA’s annual Senior Secondary Handbook. A pdf copy of this handbook can be found on the TQA’s website page.
Courses Developed by Other ACACA Agencies
For courses with small enrolments the TQA may approve the use of courses developed elsewhere in Australia - for example, some nationally approved Language courses developed under the Collaborative Curriculum and Assessment Framework.
Vocational Education and Training
The Qualifications Certificate records student achievement of accredited Vocational Education and Training courses. Successful completion of Vocational Education and Training courses contribute towards the requirements of the Tasmanian Certificate of Education (TCE).
Recognised Learning
A range of Formal Learning qualifications are recognized by the TQA. They can be recorded on the Qualifications Certificate and successful completion of such courses can contribute towards the requirements of the Tasmanian Certificate of Education (TCE). A list of these qualifications can be found at the TQA’s website page.