VCE Structure Examples

Year 10 Subject Selection Process

1. Visit the Prerequisite Guide, ATAR Calculation Guide

2. Discuss your subject options with family and friends

3. Attend your One-on-One Subject Selection Counselling in Term 3

4. Digital subject selection forms will be released on Compass after the Counselling day

   
   

Is the order subjects on the Subject Selection Form important?

• Yes, order does matter. List your most desired subjects at the top of your list

• If we are not able to place you into a preferred subjects, we will try to keep you in your top listed subjects

• The order on the hard-copy and digital forms must match

What happens if I don’t get into my preferred subjects?

• A teacher will speak to you about your options if we are unable to place you in your preferred subjects

• You will be placed into a Reserve subject if we unable to place you in your preferred subjects

Can I change my Proposed Year 12 subjects after Year 11?

• You will list your planned Year 12 subjects the Subject Selection Form, however you can change this plan after Year 11

VCE Structure

Year 11:

• For students in Year 11 in 2026 - Students must study 6 subjects (either 6 at school or 5 + 1 external subject)

• Up to two of these subjects can be Early Access Unit 3/4

Year 12:

• For students in Year 12 in 2026 - Students complete 5 subjects in Year 12 (either 5 at school or 4 + 1 external subject)

• Students study 4 or 5 subjects at school

• Students can study 6 Unit 3/4 subjects across all of VCE

How do external subjects contribute to my VCE?

• In Year 11, external subjects (such as languages) are studied in addition to the 6 subjects at school

• In Year 12, students must complete at least 4 subjects at school - Students Year 12 in 2026 complete 5 subjects in Year 12 (either 5 at school or 4 + 1 external subject)

VCE Structure Example 3B:

• For students in Year 12 from 2026

• Approved to student two Early Access subjects

• Six subjects in Year 11

• Five subjects in Year 12 (either 5 internal subjects, or 4 internal subjects an 1 external subject)

Early Access to Unit 3/4

• You must complete your Subject Selection Form based on your current eligibility for early access

• Students who were not approved for Early Access in the middle of the year will be reassessed at the end of the year

• Students who were approved for 1 Early Access subject in the middle of the year will not be reassessed for 2 Early Access subjects at the end of the year

• Students who have completed Unit 1/2 ADT subjects in Year 10 can study Unit 3/4 ADT in Year 11, in addition to any Early Access approval

VCE Structure Example 5:

• For students in Year 12 in 2025

• For students in Year 12 in 2025

• Students completes Unit 1/2 ADT subject in Year 10

• Approved to study one Early Access subject

• Student completes Unit 3/4 ADT subject in Year 11

• Four subjects in Year 12

VCE Structure Example 5B:

• For students in Year 12 in 2026

• Students completes Unit 1/2 ADT subject in Year 10

• Approved to study one Early Access subject

• Student completes Unit 3/4 ADT subject in Year 11

• Five subjects in Year 12 (including an external Higher Education Study)

English Subjects

• Students can study up to two English subjects

• An English subject must be included in the Top 4 subjects for ATAR calculations

• English is a prerequisite for all university courses. The standard English requirement is a Study Score of 25 (before scaling)

• Students must complete the an application form to study either English Language or Literature without also studying English

• Students do not need to complete an application form if you wish to study both English and either English Language or Literature

• Students cannot change out of English. Students can change from English Language or Literature to English

• Students cannot change from two English subjects to either English Language or Literature alone

Mathematics Subjects

• Students can complete a maximum of 2 Mathematics subjects

• Students cannot move into Mathematics Methods or Specialist Mathematics after VCE has commenced

• Students can move from Mathematics Methods to General/Further Mathematics after VCE has commenced

External Subjects

• Year 11 students may study external subjects (such as languages) in addition to the 6 subjects at school (7 subjects total)

• Approval is required to study Unit 3/4 external subjects in Year 11

• You cannot study the same subject at SCHS and externally (e.g. you can not study Chinese at school and at a language school)

VCE Structure Example 9:

• For students commencing Year 11 in 2025

• Approved for one Early Access subject

• Five subjects at SCHS and one Unit 1/2 subject externally in Year 11 (6 subjects total)

• Complete external Unit 3/4 in Year 12

• Four subjects at SCHS in Year 12

VCE Structure Example 11B:

• For students in Year 11 in 2025

• Not approved to study Early Access subjects

• Five subjects at SCHS and one subject externally in Year 11 (6 subjects total)

• Continue to external 3/4 subject in Year 12

• Four subjects at SCHS and one external subject in Year 12 (5 total)

Higher Education University Extension Programs

• University Extension Programs allow students to high achieving students to complete First Year University subjects in VCE

• Extension Programs classes must be completed outside of the SCHS school hours (8.50am to 3.09pm)

• Most Extension Programs include on-campus classes. Students must consider how they will travel to their Extension classes and the time it will take to get to the campus

• Extension Programs count as bottom 2 (10% subjects) in the ATAR calculation

• Extension Program enrolment requires approval from the SCHS. Book an appointment with Mr Taig in Year 11, Term 4 if you are interested in these programs

Program Options:

• Deakin Accelerate

• La Trobe Achieve

• RMIT Extension

• University of Melbourne Extension Program

• Centre For Higher Education Studies (CHES)

Higher Education University Extension Program Entry Guidelines:

Students can apply for entry into an Extension Program in Term 2 during Year 11. SCHS approval for entry into an Extension Program will be based on:

• Attendance above 90% throughout Year 11

• Submission of work on time above 90% throughout Year 11

• A average in related subjects in Year 11 (note, some extension courses require completion of a related Unit 3/4 subject for entry)

• B+ average in all subjects in Year 11

• Demonstrated maturity and independence across all years at SCHS