Princes Hill Secondary College offers two options within the broader Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE):

Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE)

VCE Vocational Major (VCE VM)

The Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) is an Australian senior school certificate operated by the Victorian Curriculum Assessment Authority (VCAA). 

There are approximately 45 subjects in the VCE. Most subjects have four units, each lasting one semester or half-year.

  • Units 1 and 2 are generally taken in Year 11

  • Units 3 and 4, which are more advanced, are usually taken in Year 12

  • Students may, with approval, take a unit 3 and 4 subject in Year 11

  • While Units 1 and 2 can be taken as single units, Units 3 and 4 must be taken as a sequence

It is anticipated that students at Princes Hill Secondary College will undertake:

  • In Year 11: six unit 1’s and six unit 2’s, including English or EAL Units 1 and 2

  • In Year 12: five unit 3 and 4 sequences including at least one of: English or EAL or Literature Units 3 and 4.

The majority of students undertake VCE over two years, although it is possible to complete units over 3 (or more) years without penalty.

The VCE Vocational Major (VCE VM) is a two-year applied learning program that’s part of the VCE. You will get skills for work and life and hands-on experience in one or more industries, finishing school with an employability edge.

Your teachers will assess your progress through a range of activities. Your only exam is the General Achievement Test (GAT) (Part A only).

The four VCE VM study areas use a different form of assessment to other VCE studies. The assessment is completed by your teacher in class, who’ll support you to achieve the requirements.

VCE VM subjects don’t receive a study score, so they won’t count towards an ATAR.

The VCE VM is a great choice if you prefer to learn in a real-world environment and don’t need an ATAR.

  • Two-year senior secondary certificate​
  • 16 to 20 units
  • Four compulsory subjects VCE VM: Literacy, Numeracy, Personal Development Skills, Work Related Skills​
  • Compulsory VET subject or School Based Apprenticeship/ Traineeship
  • Gain credit from time in workplace

  • Assessment based on learning activities

  • No study scores and no ATAR
  • Learn in the classroom, workplace and community
  • Learn skills like project management, event organisation, how to work in teams, leadership and communication
  • Can lead to TAFE, work, apprenticeship, traineeship or university

VCE is a valuable pathway to further study at university, TAFE and the world at work. It is possible to complete a school based apprenticeship or traineeship within your VCE. A VCE program will usually consist of 20-24 semester units taken over two years.

VCE Vocational Major (VCE VM) is a vocational and applied learning program within the VCE designed to be completed over a minimum of two years. The VCE VM will give students greater choice and flexibility to pursue their strengths and interests and develop the skills and capabilities needed to succeed in further education, work and life.

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

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

Students must complete a minimum of three other Unit 3–4 sequences as part of their program. Units 3 and 4 of VM studies may be undertaken together over the duration of the academic year to enable these to be integrated.

 


VCE Completion Requirements

 To satisfactory complete the VCE a student must have a satisfactory result (S) for a minimum of 16 units. This must include:

  • at least three units from the English Group, two of which must be a Unit 3 and 4 sequence
  • an additional three Unit 3 and 4 sequences of studies other than English, which may include any number of English sequences once the English requirement has been met

Please Note

The English Group is:

  • English
  • English Language
  • English as an Additional Language
  • English Literature


Important

To gain an ATAR, both units 3 and 4 from the English group must be satisfactorily completed.

VCE Administrative Handbook

For more details about the VCE programs (VCE and VCE VM), see the VCE Administrative Handbook - click on the image below.

 

Students should complete a total of 8 units across Unit 1 and 2, prior to enrolling in units 3 and 4. While there are no prerequisites for undertaking any VCE 3/4 units, Learning Area Leaders strongly recommend that units 1 and 2 of Languages, Physics and Chemistry are completed prior to undertaking these subjects as units 3 and 4.

Students undertaking VCE Mathematics need to consult the information ‘Deciding which Mathematics units to take’ to determine the most beneficial sequence of units.

In order to complete the VCE in two years, a minimum of eight units (four per semester and including at least one unit of English) must be satisfactorily completed in Year 11. With eight units, promotion to Year 12 is automatic. If a fewer than eight units have been satisfactorily completed, students will negotiate with the coordinator/s the most appropriate path, e.g. completing VCE over three years. 


Vocational Education and Training (VET)

Students may include nationally recognised Vocational Education and Training (VET) in their VCE, VCE VM or VPC.

They can undertake VET through a VCE VET program, a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship (SBAT), or any other approved VET qualification and receive credit towards their VCE, VCE VM or VPC.

VET is an important component of both of Victoria's senior secondary qualifications, the VCE and VCE VM.  VET opens up many career opportunities and offers nationally recognised qualifications that can create pathways to a range of careers.

Princes Hill Secondary College includes VCE VET programs in the senior curriculum program. The school is a member of the Inner Melbourne VET Cluster (IMVC) that offers a range of  VCE VET subjects to students.

VCE VM students must do a VET VCE subject as part of their program.

Students attend VET classes off campus, e.g. at a TAFE Institute or another school.  Classes are generally held on Wednesday morning or afternoon. 

Some VET programs require students to complete Structured Workplace Learning (SWL) during holiday breaks or during term.  SWL provides on-the-job experience as part of the recognised vocational qualification.

Year 11 students can access information about the VET subjects here or general information on VET in the VCE at www.vcaa.vic.edu.au.  Information is also available from the Careers Office on Level 3.

Students can access comprehensive information about all VET (Vocational Education and Training) subjects on the VCAA ( Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority) website here.

VCE VET programs are VET qualifications that have been packaged so they can contribute to your VCE or VCE VM.

Scored VCE VET Studies - are VCE VET Unit 3 and 4 sequences with a scored assessment.  VCE VET subjects that have scored assessment count towards the VCE certificate like any other subject, i.e. provide a study score that contributes directly to your ATAR, either as one of your primary four studies or as a fifth or sixth increment. 

Unscored VCE VET Scores - are VCE VET Unit 3 and 4 sequences with no scored assessment available.  Since there are no scores available for unscored sequences, the sequence may be included as an increment (the fifth or sixth study).  The amount of an increment is determined by calculating 10 per cent of the fourth study score of your primary four.  Further information is available in the Year 10 VTAC Guide    

  • VET is a national system with qualifications that are recognised and can lead to employment.
  • Contributes towards VCE or VCE VM.
  • You can explore possible areas of interest which may assist when making decisions about further study and career choices.
  • VET helps prepare you to be an adaptable worker by developing important employability skills.
  • VET can lead to TAFE or university - it is up to you and your goals.
  • VET can strengthen your education by giving you the opportunity to gain practical skills and knowledge that complement your VCE studies.
  • VET qualifications give you industry exposure and are connected to the workplace 
  • On satisfactory completion, you will gain a nationally recognised qualification (Certificate) or if partially completed, a Statement of Attainment of units completed.
To apply for a VET course, you will need to indicate your choice on the Princes Hill Secondary College VCE Subject Selection form and complete an expression of interest form (see rules in Edval Choices).

All students must apply for a USI (Universal Student Identifier) for their application to the TAFE that is running the VET subject . The USI is used for your entire post secondary education- you only get it once! See information here. 

Students who register interest in doing a VET subject on their Edval Choices Subject Selection form will be contacted by Patricia Alevizos to finalise their application to VET. There will be formal paperwork provided during the expression of interest period.

  

School Based Apprenticeship or Traineeship (SBAT)

A school based apprenticeship or traineeship is when you are released from school for a minimum of one day per week to undertake an apprenticeship or traineeship.

You will need to complete six hours of training and seven hours of work per week.

SBATs also provide credit towards your VCE or VCE VM.

Further information is available from the Careers Office on Level 3 or contact Trish Alevizos (Alevizosp@phsc.vic.edu.au). 


Glossary of Terms

TermDescription
ATARAustralian Tertiary Admission Rank (used by tertiary institutions to select students for courses)
SACSchool-assessed coursework
SATSchool-assessed tasks
VCAAVictorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (which administers the VCE)
VCALVictorian Certificate of Applied Learning
VCEVictorian Certificate of Education
VCE VMVictorian Certificate of Education Vocational Major
VETVocational Education and Training program (of the VCE)
VICTERVictorian Tertiary Entrance Requirements
VTACVictorian Tertiary Admissions Centre



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