Our well-designed school curriculum in Victoria, Australia is rich, diverse and flexible. This enables you to pursue your strengths and interests to achieve academic excellence.

Our school curriculum gives you many choices and not all subjects are compulsory.

Student and teacher watching 3D printing machine on left, another student working on laptop on right School qualifications

The Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) is the official secondary school qualification in Victoria for Years 11 and 12. VCE allows entry to all Australian universities and a pathway to universities globally.

Build knowledge, gain skills and start the next phase of your life with a Victorian school qualification.

The Victorian school curriculum provides a strong foundation for future success

Our school curriculum sets you up for success and helps you to choose your direction after school.

This flexible and broad curriculum encourages you to:

  • develop independent, creative and critical thinking
  • increase your life skills
  • think and reflect on your future
  • 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 and choosing subjects - Years 10 to 12

In many ways, the most important years in our school curriculum are Years 10 to 12. It is the time to take responsibility and make decisions about your future and your career. That's why we offer you many choices but also guidance to help you choose your subjects carefully.

From international politics to specialist mathematics, from visual arts to psychology, from economics to environmental science – there really is something for everyone. The school you attend does not restrict you. Your choice can include subjects from the:

The only compulsory subject is one English subject in Years 11 and 12 (most international students choose English as an Additional Language). You choose the rest. 

If you need help or advice, careers and course advisors and counsellors can guide you in the right direction!

Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) subjects

There are over 90 VCE subjects across 9 Key Learning Areas:

  • English
  • Languages (other than English)
  • Science
  • Mathematics
  • Technology
  • The Arts
  • Humanities
  • Business Studies
  • Health and Physical Education.

Choices include:

  • 4 English subjects
  • 5 mathematics subjects
  • 5 science subjects
  • 10 arts subjects including 3 music, 3 performing arts and 3 visual arts subjects
  • 5 technology subjects
  • 17 humanities subjects including 8 history and 3 politics subjects
  • 5 business subjects
  • 3 health and physical education subjects
  • over 40 languages other than English.

The full list of VCE studies with details about each subject is available at the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority.

The Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School has unique curriculum offerings in the areas of music and performing arts.

Recognition of previous study

You can apply for a credit recognition which will recognise your previous study as a credit towards your VCE.

The Victorian Curriculum Foundation–​10

The Victorian Curriculum F–​10 sets out what all Victorian students should learn during the first eleven years of their schooling. This incorporates the Australian Curriculum but reflects Victorian priorities and standards. The curriculum is the common set of knowledge and skills required by students for:

  • lifelong learning
  • social development
  • active and informed citizenship.

​The victorian Curriculum Foundation-10 is divided into 8 learning areas: The Arts, English, Health and Physical Education, The Humanities, Languages (other than English), Mathematics, Science, Technologies

​​Co-curricular and extra-curricular programs

​Schools offer many programs that enhance formal classroom learning. for example: Arts based - instrumental music tuition, choir, bands and orchestra, drama and musical productions, dance, visual arts and design. Developing social skills - public speaking and debating, camps and excursions, peer support and mentoring programs, student leadership and cadetship programs, sports programs and competitions, social events (such as school formal and debutante balls). Academic based - accelerated learning and high achiever programs, overseas study tours and exchange, tutoring, homewotk clubs and lunchtime or after school program - including English as an Additional Language (EAL) support for international students. There are also Environmental sustainability programs and gradutaion and awards nightsSports offered vary between schools but can include:

​list of sports: AFL, athletics, badminton, basketball, cricket, cycling and mountain biking, equestrian, golf, gymnastics, netball, rowing, rugby, snow sports, soccer, swimming, table tennis, tennis, volleyball




CRICOS Provider Name and Code: Department of Education, 00861K.
CRICOS Course Names and Codes: Primary (Prep to Year 6), 019047G; Secondary (7-12), 019048F; Victorian College of the Arts Secondary Course (7-12), 028651A.

Encouraging excellence, motivation and discipline is what guides and designs student assessment in our Victorian government schools.

Teachers use assessment to understand how and what their students learn.

The various methods of assessment prepare you for society, employment and lifelong learning. 

Learning beyond tests and exams

Within our Victorian government schools, we use a balance of methods, aiming to build and develop your knowledge and skills. There are many more forms of assessment beyond tests and exams happening throughout the year.

We want to help you learn more effectively while you study abroad. We use a range of assessments to encourage you to reflect on how you learn and develop your analytical skills. 

Gaining feedback

Your teachers will give you regular and constructive feedback on your overall progress. Your international student coordinator will work closely with your teachers on your development. They'll communicate with you and your parents or guardians to make sure that everyone understands how you're going whilst you study abroad. 

Victorian school student assessment - Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE)

In the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), assessment is based around 'outcomes'. These 'outcomes' describe what you should know and be able to do by the time you complete a particular unit. Government schools in Victoria set assessment tasks to see how you are progressing.

There are two kinds of assessment in the VCE:

  1. in-school, class-based coursework or tasks
  2. external examinations (written, oral, performance or electronic).

Our school qualifications and the VCE


Find out more...

Talk to your course coordinator and a careers advisor. Your international student coordinator can also help!


CRICOS Provider Name and Code: Department of Education, 00861K.
CRICOS Course Names and Codes: Primary (Prep to Year 6), 019047G; Secondary (7-12), 019048F; Victorian College of the Arts Secondary Course (7-12), 028651A.
Last Update: 6/06/2023 3:20 PM