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 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

Studying a VET subject

Virtual School Victoria does not offer VET subjects. However, students can undertake a VET subject in conjunction with VSV through other educational organisations. If a student chooses to do a VET program it is their responsibility to contact the relevant educational organisation and organise enrolment.

Why is it important for a student’s program to let VSV know you are completing a VET program?

If VSV is a student’s home school, VSV will work with VCAA to record VCE studies. In ensuring students records are correct, it is vital that we are informed if a student is completing a VET program. The reason for this is that a student’s VET program becomes recognised as part of their VCE and can be credited towards a student’s VCE and contribute to their ATAR.

If a student is interested in completing a VET program and wishes to find out about whether it can credit towards their studies they should contact the course provider directly.

When can you let us know?

When enrolling at VSV, there is a section on your enrolment forms which asks the student to identify any VET program they are completing.

What if I enrol in a VET subject later in the year?

If a student enrols in a VET program at a later date the student should let VSV know. You can contact the VET coordinator on 8480 0000 or toll free on 1800 133 511

What information do I need to provide to VSV?

In order to ensure students are provided with credit towards their VCE the student must provide VSV with the following information:

• Full name of the Certificate
• Certificate Course code
• RTO name
• RTO code
• Full list of Units of Competence being undertaken
• Assessment plan (if required)
• Name of person to contact regarding results.

If a student has any further questions about studying a VET subject in conjunction with their VSV studies, please call and ask to speak to the VET coordinator on 8480 0000 or toll free on 1800 133 511

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.