Subjects and courses
What categories of subjects/courses are available for study in the senior secondary school credentialing program in Victoria?
There are two qualifications available for Victorian senior secondary school students – the VCE (Victorian Certificate of Education) and the VCAL (Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning).
VCE
Students undertake studies made up of semester units. Generally, Units 1 and 2 are undertaken at Year 11; units 3 and 4 are undertaken at Year 12 as a sequence over one year. At least three units from the English group, with one at Unit 3 or 4 level, are compulsory for graduation with the VCE.
- The English group is comprised of:
- English/ESL 1 – 4
- Literature 1 – 4
- English Language 1 – 4
- Foundation English 1 – 2
VCE VET units contribute to the satisfactory completion of the VCE, and VCE VET units at Units 3 and 4 level contribute to the Equivalent National Tertiary Entrance Rank (ENTER).
There are over 90 VCE studies (including 46 LOTEs) and 28 VCE VET programs that students can select from to make up the desired VCE student program.
VCAL
The VCAL certificate is awarded at 3 levels
- Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (Foundation)
- Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (Intermediate)
- Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (Senior).
The three qualification levels provide flexible entry and exit points for a range of student abilities and interests and offer a clear progression for skills, knowledge and attitudinal development.
At Foundation level, knowledge and employability skills development is supported by a strong emphasis on literacy and numeracy skills and preparatory learning, and may include:
- VCAL Foundation units
- VCE Units 1 and/or 2
- units and modules from training packages or accredited VET courses and/or Further Education courses at Certificate I
At Intermediate level, knowledge and employability skills development leads to independent learning, confidence and a high level of transferable skills, and may include:
- VCAL Intermediate units
- VCE Units 1 and/or 2
- units and modules from training packages or accredited VET courses at Certificate I and II
- units or modules from accredited Further Education courses at Certificate II
At Senior level, knowledge and employability skills development leads to a high level of interpersonal skills, independent action and achievement of tasks that require decision making and leadership, and may include:
- VCAL Senior units
- VCE Units 3 and/or 4
- units and modules from training packages or accredited VET courses at Certificate II and III
- units or modules from accredited Further Education courses at Certificate III
Students are awarded a VCAL certificate on successful completion of a minimum of 10 credits delivered as:
- VCAL units (1 credit per unit - each unit is of 100 hours nominal design length)
- VCE units (1 credit per unit - each unit is of 100 hours nominal design length)
- VCE VET units (1 credit per unit - each unit is of 100 hours nominal design length)
- Units and modules drawn from VET training packages or other accredited courses or Further Education (FE) accredited courses (one credit is awarded on successful completion of units and modules of 100 hours nominal design length).
VCAL learning programs are comprised of studies in 4 curriculum strands.
- Literacy/Numeracy Skills strand
- Industry Specific Skills strand
- Work Related Skills strand
- Personal Development Skills strand
Student VCAL learning programs must include enrolment in curriculum that can lead to the award of a minimum of ten credits comprised of:
- six credits at the VCAL award level at which the student is enrolled, including one literacy credit and one VCAL Personal Development Skills unit credit
- another four credits which can be drawn from the VCAL award level at which the student is enrolled, or a higher level or one level below
- two VCAL units
- one credit in each curriculum strand, including one credit for numeracy and one for literacy
- Intermediate and Senior VCAL learning programs must include, in the Industry Specific Skills strand, one credit drawn from units / modules of VET training packages or accredited courses.