Curriculum
The richness and diversity of the school curriculum in Victoria, Australia will help you plan for a successful future. And you have choices – not everything is compulsory.
The ingredients for a well-rounded education
The Victorian school curriculum is:
- flexible – so you can pursue your strengths and interests
- broad – so you can round out your skills.
Across every subject, our students develop independent thinking and life skills so growth is personal as well as academic.
A strong foundation for future plans
Whichever direction you choose after school, the our school curriculum gives you a good head start.
A flexible and broad curriculum encourages you to:
- think and reflect on your future
- explore your skills and interests
- face the future with confidence.
Our teachers apply the curriculum in the classroom in ways that suit many different learning styles.
Crucial years for decisions – Years 10 to 12
In many ways, the most important years in our school curriculum are Years 10 to 12. It’s the time to take responsibility and make decisions about your future and your career. That’s why we offer you a lot of choice but also guidance about choosing your subjects.
Your choice of subjects
From international politics to specialist mathematics, from psychology to environmental science, from economics to philosophy – there really is something for everyone. You aren’t restricted by the school you attend. Your choice could include subjects from the:
- Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE)
- Victorian School of Languages (over 40 languages)
- university extension program (offered by some of our accredited schools).
The only compulsory subject is English (or English as a second language) in years 11 and 12. The rest are your choice.
If you need help or advice, careers and course advisors and counsellors can guide you in the right direction. You can also search for a school according to your interests.
Amazing variety – Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) subjects
There are over 90 VCE subjects across nine Key Learning Areas:
- English
- Languages other than English
- Science
- Mathematics
- Technology
- The Arts
- Humanities
- Business Studies
- Health and Physical Education.
Choices include:
- four English subjects
- five mathematics subjects
- five science subjects
- 10 arts subjects including three music, three performing arts and three visual arts subjects
- five technology subjects
- 17 humanities subjects including eight history and three politics subjects
- five business subjects
- three health and physical education subjects
- over 40 languages other than English.
The full list of VCE studies at the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority website has more detail about each subject.
The Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School has unique curriculum offerings in the areas of music and performing arts.
Learn on the job – Vocational Education and Training (VET) subjects
You can take vocational education and training subjects as part of the VCE to get practical and professional skills for the workplace.
Choose from nearly 30 VET subjects, including information technology, engineering, agriculture or hospitality.
These subjects are taken through government-owned Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutes. You can use these subjects to get industry recognised qualifications or as course credits for further education and training once you complete the VCE.
Schools delivering VET subjects may do so through agreements with third party providers, subject to approval by the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority.
A preview of tertiary study – university extension programs
High achieving students in Victoria can also do Extension Studies. These studies are offered by various universities and can count towards university entrance.
Victorian Essential Learning Standards (VELS)
The Victorian Essential Learning Standards (also known as VELS or ‘the standards’) is the Prep to Year 10 curriculum and standards framework for all Victorian schools. The standards outline what is important for all Victorian students to learn and develop during their time at school from Prep to Year 10. The VELS prepare students for the future and cover a broad range of knowledge and social, personal and thinking skills.
The curriculum is divided into 17 domains of learning. There are three core strands:
- physical, personal and social learning
- discipline-based learning
- interdisciplinary learning.
Physical, personal and social learning
Students learn about:
- themselves and their place in society
- taking responsibility for their own physical wellbeing and learning
- developing interpersonal and social skills.
- citizenship in local, national and global contexts.
Discipline-based learning
Specific disciplines include:
- the arts
- humanities (economics, geography, history)
- English and languages other than English
- mathematics
- science
Interdisciplinary learning
This type of learning encourages students to think creatively and innovatively. It includes:
- communication
- design
- creativity and technology
- information and communications technology (ICT)
- thinking processes.
Co-curricular and extra-curricular programs
Schools offer many programs that enhance formal classroom learning. For example:
- instrumental music tuition
- choir, bands and orchestras
- drama and musical productions
- public speaking and debating
- camps, excursions, overseas study tours and exchanges
- accelerated learning and high achiever programs
- peer support and mentoring programs
- student leadership and cadetship programs
- sports programs and competitions
- environmental sustainability programs
- tutoring, homework clubs and lunchtime or after-school programs (including ESL support for international students)
- social events (such as school formals and debutante balls)
- graduation and awards nights.
Sports offered vary between schools but can include:
- Australian Rules football
- cricket
- swimming
- athletics
- soccer (football)
- basketball
- volleyball
- netball
- cycling and mountain-biking
- tennis
- table tennis
- snow sports
- hockey
- golf
- rugby
- equestrian
- badminton
- gymnastics
- rowing
