Victoria's School System

Curriculum
Assessment

The richness, diversity and flexibility of the school curriculum in Victoria will help you plan for a successful future. Our curriculum is based on providing you with choices, which means not all subjects are compulsory.

The Victorian school curriculum provides a strong foundation for future success.

Whichever direction you choose after school, our school curriculum will enable success.

This flexible and broad curriculum encourages you to:

develop independent 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 – 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 studies (offered by some of our accredited schools).

The only compulsory subject is one English subject in years 11 and 12 (most international students choose English as an Additional Language). 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 9 Key Learning Areas:

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 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.

Recognition of previous study

You can apply for a recognition of previous study as a credit towards your VCE. For more information and how to apply, see Credit towards the VCE.

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 25 VET subjects, including information technology, engineering, agriculture or hospitality.

Subjects are taken through government-owned Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutes. These subjects can count towards obtaining an industry recognised qualification or as course credits for further education and training once you have complete your 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.

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, incorporating the Australian Curriculum but reflecting Victorian priorities and standards. The curriculum is the common set of knowledge and skills required by students for lifelong learning, social development and active and informed citizenship.

The curriculum is divided into eight learning areas:

The Arts

English
Health and Physical Education
The Humanities

Civics and Citizenship
Economics and Business
Geography
History

Languages (other than English)
Mathematics
Science
Technologies

Design and Technologies
Digital technologies.

The Victorian Curriculum F–10 also includes four overarching capabilities:

Critical and Creative Thinking
Ethical
Intercultural
Personal and Social.

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 EAL 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:

CRICOS Provider Name and Code: Department of Education and Training, 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.

Teachers use assessment to understand how and what their students learn. Our approach to student assessment in Victoria is to encourage excellence, motivation and discipline.

More than tests and exams

Assessment in Victorian schools focuses on preparing you for society, employment and lifelong learning. We use a balance of methods that aims to build and develop your knowledge and skills. Assessment is spread through the year and isn’t limited to tests and exams.

How you learn, not just what you learn

Ultimately, we want to help you learn more effectively while you study abroad. Through a range of assessments you will be encouraged to reflect on how you learn and develop your analytical skills.

Regular updates on progress

Teachers will give you regular and constructive feedback. Your International Student Coordinator will work closely with your teachers on your progress. They’ll communicate with you and your parents to make sure that everyone understands how you’re going while you study abroad. Assessment and overall progress will be regularly discussed.

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. Schools set assessment tasks to see how you are progressing.

There are two kinds of assessment in the VCE:

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

Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) and study scores

Grades (A+ to E or UG – ungraded) are usually given for your work in Years 11 and 12 of the VCE. At the end of Year 12, you receive a study score out of 50 for each unit. This score shows how well you performed in relation to everyone else who did the same subject in the same year.

Your study scores are used to calculate an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR). Australian universities use the ATAR score to rank students. The score, the subjects you studied and your preferences will determine which tertiary degree you can study and which university you can attend.

Excellence is celebrated

Your hard work and talent are celebrated in many ways other than formal assessment. Student achievement is promoted through various student prizes such as: