Senior school

VCE Requirements

The VCE is the single qualification which marks the completion of senior high school. The VCE can be used as a credential for entry to employment and for promotion, or to qualify for selection into a university, or college, or Technical and Further Education (TAFE) course.

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

• three units from the English group, with at least two consecutive units at Unit 3 and 4 level
• at least three subjects other than English at Units 3 and 4 level, which may include any number of English sequences once the English requirement has been met.

Adults students returning to study

Students must meet two criteria to be enrolled as an adult:

• be at least 18 years of age on 1 January in the year of enrolment
• have not undertaken full-time secondary schooling for the full year preceding the first year of enrolment as an adult. Part time schooling is the equivalent of no more than 7 units across the year.

To satisfy requirements for the award of the VCE these students must satisfactorily complete at least eight units including:

• two units from the English group at 3 and 4 level to get a study score
• three sequences of Units 3 and 4 in studies other than English.

Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR)

The results of school-based and external assessments for Units 3 and 4 contribute towards a student’s study score for each subject, and ultimately toward their Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR).

The ATAR is calculated for the use of tertiary institutions to compare the overall achievement of students. The ATAR is used in the process of offering university places.

Note: VTAC advises that satisfactory completion of both Units 3 and 4 of an English sequence is required for the calculation of a student’s ATAR.

How a student’s ATAR is calculated

• Your best study score in any one of the unit 3 and 4 English studies, plus
• Your three next best unit 3 and 4 study scores, plus
• 10 per cent of the fifth unit 3 and 4 study scores (where available), plus
• 10 per cent of the sixth unit 3 and 4 study scores (where available).

Before selecting your subjects you should consider if there are any prerequisites that are required for future study. Prerequisites are subjects you must complete to be eligible for selection to a course. You can do this by accessing the VTAC guide.

More information regarding VSV school policies and procedures is available to students in The Lounge. Students are encouraged to familiarise themselves with these policies before they begine their studies.

If you require personal advice, please contact the relevant Student Coordinator Year 10, 11 or 12.

VCE Vocational Major

What is the VCE VM?

The VCE Vocational Major (VM) is a vocational and applied learning program within the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), designed to be completed over a minimum of two years.

The VCE VM extends the scope of VCE, giving students the choice and flexibility to pursue their strengths and interests and develop skills and capabilities needed to succeed in further education, work and life. It is designed to teach students to put practical life skills into action in a real-world environment, and offers a (Non-ATAR) pathway into apprenticeships, traineeships, further education, or directly into a job.

What does a VCE VM program look like?

To be eligible to receive the VCE VM, students must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 16 units. This must include:

• 3x VCE VM Literacy or VCE English units (including a Unit 3–4 sequence)
• 2x VCE VM Numeracy or VCE Mathematics units
• 2x VCE VM Work Related Skills units
• 2x VCE VM Personal Development Skills units
• 2x VET Unit credits at Certificate II level or above (180 nominal hours)

To make up the remaining units students can choose subjects from VCE or VCE VM.

At VSV in 2024, a standard program for the VCE VM includes the subjects Foundation English (Units 1 & 2) and Foundation Maths (Units 1 & 2) as the Literacy and Numeracy components. The VCE VM Literacy and Numeracy subjects will be offered from 2025 onwards.

Who should do the VCE VM?

The VCE/VM program is suitable for students who have an existing vocational focus or interest (e.g. Animal Care, Hair & Beauty, Hospitality) and are able to attend the onsite face-to-face practical applied learning that VET programs require. Students must also be aware that the VCE VM requires both literacy & numeracy components.

Students also need the academic capability to complete literacy and numeracy components, equivalent in academic standard to VCE Foundation English and Maths and the ability to negotiate virtual learning and attendance at a face-to-face onsite program.

How does the VET component of VCE VM work?

Students must complete 180 nominal hours of vocational training to achieve the VCE VM. Typically, this is done through a Vocational Education and Training (VET or VDSS) program offered to secondary schools from a VCAA approved VET provider or Registered Training Organisation (RTO).

VET programs are designed to provide students with industry exposure and experience in the workplace that reinforces skills development and creates transition between training and work. VET students will typically complete their 180 hours in a face-to-face, hands on learning environment at a TAFE or other VET provider one day a week. This is done alongside the VCE and VM subjects that make up the rest of their certificate.

To enroll in a VET program at VSV, students complete an Expression of Interest (EOI) form for the VET programs they wish to apply for in August of the year prior to commencement of study. Students who are already in a VET program with their previous school, need to inform the VET team by emailing [email protected]. More information about VET programs and where to find the EOI form can be found at the links below

• Pages – VET (vcaa.vic.edu.au)
• Virtual School Victoria (vsvcareers.com)

When is VCE VM not recommended?

• All students transitioning into senior school are eligible to consider the VCE VM pathway, however the program is designed for students who have a vocational ‘major’ or career pathway they wish to pursue and are interested in practical and applied learning.
• The VCE VM is not recommended for students seeking an ‘easier’ pathway than standard VCE
• The VCE VM is not recommended for students who may have difficulty with participating in face-to-face and hands on learning at a TAFE or other VET provider.

Are there any alternatives to VCE VM?

AT VSV, senior school students have the option to complete either VCE VM or a standard VCE. Students who are not ready to complete these senior school certificates may consider the Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC), however this program is not offered at VSV. More information about a standard VCE and the VPC can be found at the links below

• Pages – How VCE works – The facts (vcaa.vic.edu.au)
• Pages – About the VPC (vcaa.vic.edu.au)

How can I find out more about VCE VM?

Use this link for more information about VCE VM:

VCE and VCE Vocational Major | Victorian Government (www.vic.gov.au)

You may also email VSV’s VET and VCE VM leaders or VCE student Coordinators for advice about VCE VM or VET:

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

VCE Exams

Virtual School Victoria has an Exam Centre Coordinator. For any questions regarding VCE exams please contact via [email protected].

Students will be notified of the exam timetable when it is released.

VET

VET Delivered to Secondary Schools (VDSS)

What is VET (VDSS)?

Vocational Education and Training (VET) involves acquiring specialised industry-specific knowledge and hands-on skills that are directly relevant to a particular career. These skills can be applied to the workplace and further education and training.

VET (VDSS) programs have been designed to go alongside a student’s senior school certificate and are typically:

• two years in length
• expected to attend the institution or VET provider in-person on one day per week
• complete hands-on and applied learning tasks to achieve Units of Competency (UoC).

Studying a VET Course

Virtual School Victoria does not deliver VET subjects. However, students can undertake a VET course in conjunction with VSV through other educational institutions such as a TAFE.

VET (VDSS) courses can count as Units in the VCE and VCE VM. The first year of the VET (VDSS) course typically counts as a Unit 1 & 2 sequence and the second year typically counts as a Unit 3 & 4 sequence

• As a VCE student, you have the option to supplement your studies with a VET (VDSS) course.
• As a VCE Vocational Major student, you are required to complete 180 nominal hours of Vocational Education & Training through a VDSS Certificate II or III.

 Applying to study a VET (VDSS) course

Students who are interested in completing a VET (VDSS) course must apply through their current home school in the year prior to commencement of study.

At VSV, prospective VET (VDSS) students must do their own research and choose a VET (VDSS) course that is of interest to them. They are then asked to submit an Expression of Interest to the VSV VET team.

Newly enrolling VSV students who have already organised or are studying a VET (VDSS) program will be asked to provide details of the course in the VSV online enrolment application.

Where can I find more information about VET (VDSS)?

For more information about the structure of VET (VDSS) and a list of VCAA approved courses and institutions, please visit:

• Pages – VET (vcaa.vic.edu.au)
• Pages – Get VET (vcaa.vic.edu.au)
• VET pathways in schools | vic.gov.au (www.vic.gov.au)

If a student has any further questions about studying a VET subject, it is important for them to contact the VET Coordinator at their current home school.

Special Provisions

Eligibility for Special Provision and Special Exam Arrangements

Special Provision and Special Examination Arrangements may be approved to meet the needs of students with disabilities, illnesses or other circumstances that affect their ability to access a VCE assessment.

Special Provision and Special Exam Arrangements – conditions of assessment

Each application is assessed against the primary consideration of the impact of the disability and/or illness on the student’s capacity to undertake their VCE assessment and, if necessary, what reasonable adjustments can be made to enable the student to complete VCE assessments on the same basis as students without a disability and/or illness. Conditions that may be granted within assessment include extra working time, rest breaks, break in order to take medication, assistive technology and technological aids. Students can apply for the above via application.

Special Provision – reschedule assessment

In some cases a student may be eligible to reschedule an assessment. A student is eligible if their ability to demonstrate achievement is adversely affected by:

• an acute or chronic illness
• a long-term impairment or disability
• personal circumstances.

The student must request the reschedule prior to the assessment date. The request must be accompanied by a certificate, report or other appropriate evidence (professional report, medical report, other appropriate assessment). The certificate/documentation must specify the time.

The decision on whether to approve the reschedule of the SAC/SAT is to be made by the classroom teacher of that subject, in conjunction with the Head of School, Engagement Leader and appropriate Student Coordinator.

A maximum of two weeks can be given as an extension at any one time. If a further extension is required another request must be made which can receive a further two weeks.

Please note that extension of time for SACs/SATs will not be automatically granted. The SAC/SAT must note the new date and the certificate/documentation will be saved in your student folder in case it is required by VCAA.

Further Study

Applying for further study (University/ TAFE)

In the year a student completes their VCE they can apply for further tertiary study. All applications can be made through the Victorian Tertiary Admission Centre (VTAC).

A VTAC account is required to apply for courses which require an ATAR and for courses which do not. Students will be guided through this process by VSV at the time applications open.

Students can use the Career Quiz on the Job Outlook website to plan for future study. This should be completed as early as possible (Year 10) as this will allow the student to plan the subjects they undertake based on prerequisite studies.

Students facing financial hardship can look at the Study Assist website.

Students are encouraged to visit ‘The Lounge’ for more detailed information on Pathways, Courses, and Careers.