Comparing HSC, VCE, and Other State-Based Qualifications
Choosing the right senior secondary qualification is a significant decision for Australian students. Each state and territory offers its own unique certificate, with the most well-known being the Higher School Certificate (HSC) in New South Wales and the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) in Victoria. This article provides a detailed comparison of these qualifications, along with the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) and the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), to help students, parents, and educators understand the key differences.
Criteria for Comparison
When comparing these qualifications, we'll consider the following criteria:
Structure and Requirements: The overall structure of the qualification, including mandatory subjects and elective choices.
Assessment Methods: How student learning is assessed, including internal assessments, external exams, and practical components.
Grading System: The method used to calculate final grades and ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) equivalents.
Recognition: The level of recognition and acceptance of the qualification by universities and other tertiary institutions, both nationally and internationally.
HSC (New South Wales)
The Higher School Certificate (HSC) is the qualification awarded to students who successfully complete Years 11 and 12 in New South Wales. It is administered by the New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA).
Structure and Requirements
Students must complete a minimum of 12 units in Year 11 and 10 units in Year 12.
English is compulsory. Students must study either English Standard, English Advanced, English EAL/D, or English Studies.
Students must study at least 2 units of a Category A course.
Students can choose from a wide range of elective subjects, including humanities, sciences, arts, and vocational courses.
Some subjects have mandatory practical components or major projects.
Assessment Methods
The HSC assessment consists of both internal school-based assessments and external exams.
Internal Assessments: Schools conduct their own assessments throughout the year, contributing 50% to the final mark in most subjects.
External Exams: NESA conducts external exams at the end of Year 12, contributing the remaining 50% to the final mark in most subjects.
Assessment tasks can include essays, reports, presentations, practical tasks, and tests.
Grading System
The HSC uses a scaled mark system. Raw assessment marks are scaled to ensure fairness and comparability across different schools and subjects. The final HSC mark is a combination of the scaled internal assessment mark and the scaled external exam mark. These marks are then used to calculate the ATAR, which is a rank from 0 to 99.95, indicating a student's position relative to other students.
Recognition
The HSC is widely recognised by universities and tertiary institutions across Australia and internationally. The ATAR is used as the primary criterion for university admissions in NSW and is also used by many universities in other states.
VCE (Victoria)
The Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) is the qualification awarded to students who successfully complete Years 11 and 12 in Victoria. It is administered by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA).
Structure and Requirements
Students must complete a minimum of 16 units across Years 11 and 12.
English is compulsory. Students must complete at least three units of English, with at least one unit at the Year 12 level (English, English Language, Literature or EAL).
Students can choose from a wide range of elective subjects, including humanities, sciences, arts, and vocational courses.
Some subjects have mandatory practical components or major projects.
Assessment Methods
The VCE assessment consists of both school-based assessments (SACs and SATs) and external exams.
School-based Assessments (SACs and SATs): Schools conduct their own School-assessed Coursework (SACs) and School-assessed Tasks (SATs) throughout the year, contributing to the study score in most subjects.
External Exams: VCAA conducts external exams at the end of Year 12, contributing to the study score in most subjects.
Assessment tasks can include essays, reports, presentations, practical tasks, and tests.
Grading System
The VCE uses a study score system. Each subject has a study score out of 50, which is a combination of the school-based assessment and the external exam mark. The study scores are then used to calculate the ATAR, which is a rank from 0 to 99.95, indicating a student's position relative to other students. The ATAR is calculated by the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC).
Recognition
The VCE is widely recognised by universities and tertiary institutions across Australia and internationally. The ATAR is used as the primary criterion for university admissions in Victoria and is also used by many universities in other states. You can learn more about Reportcard.
Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE)
The Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) is the qualification awarded to students who successfully complete Years 11 and 12 in Queensland. It is administered by the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA).
Structure and Requirements
Students must achieve the equivalent of 20 credits to be awarded a QCE.
Students must complete a literacy and a numeracy requirement.
Students can choose from a wide range of subjects, including general subjects, applied subjects, and vocational education and training (VET) courses.
Credits can be earned through school subjects, VET courses, and other recognised learning experiences.
Assessment Methods
The QCE assessment system is a combination of internal and external assessments, with a greater emphasis on external assessment in recent years.
Internal Assessments: Schools conduct internal assessments throughout the year, contributing to the overall subject result.
External Assessments: The QCAA conducts external assessments at the end of Year 12 for most general subjects, contributing a significant portion to the final subject result.
Assessment tasks can include exams, essays, reports, presentations, practical tasks, and projects.
Grading System
The QCE uses a five-point scale for each subject: A, B, C, D, and E. These grades are based on a combination of internal and external assessment results. The ATAR is calculated by the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) based on a student's subject results.
Recognition
The QCE is widely recognised by universities and tertiary institutions across Australia and internationally. The ATAR is used as the primary criterion for university admissions in Queensland and is also used by many universities in other states. If you have frequently asked questions, check our website.
South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE)
The South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) is the qualification awarded to students who successfully complete Years 11 and 12 in South Australia. It is administered by the SACE Board of South Australia.
Structure and Requirements
Students must earn at least 200 credits to be awarded the SACE.
Students must complete the compulsory subjects: Personal Learning Plan (10 credits), Literacy (20 credits), Numeracy (10 credits), and Research Project (10 credits).
Students can choose from a wide range of elective subjects, including Stage 1 and Stage 2 subjects.
Credits can be earned through school subjects, VET courses, and community learning.
Assessment Methods
The SACE assessment system is a combination of school-based assessments and external assessments.
School-based Assessments: Schools conduct internal assessments throughout the year, contributing to the overall subject result.
External Assessments: The SACE Board conducts external assessments for some Stage 2 subjects, contributing a portion to the final subject result.
- Assessment tasks can include exams, essays, reports, presentations, practical tasks, and projects. Consider what Reportcard offers when choosing a provider.
Grading System
The SACE uses a grade scale of A+ to E- for each subject. These grades are based on a combination of internal and external assessment results. The ATAR is calculated by the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC) based on a student's subject results.
Recognition
The SACE is widely recognised by universities and tertiary institutions across Australia and internationally. The ATAR is used as the primary criterion for university admissions in South Australia and is also used by many universities in other states.
Comparing Assessment Methods
| Feature | HSC (NSW) | VCE (Victoria) | QCE (Queensland) | SACE (South Australia) |
| ----------------- | --------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------- |
| Internal Assessment | 50% | Significant contribution to Study Score | Significant contribution to overall result | Significant contribution to overall result |
| External Exams | 50% | Significant contribution to Study Score | Significant contribution to overall result | Some subjects have external assessment |
| Grading | Scaled marks, ATAR | Study Scores, ATAR | A-E Grades, ATAR | A+-E- Grades, ATAR |
| Key Differences | Emphasis on external exams, scaled marks | Study scores, SACs/SATs | Mix of internal/external, credit-based system | Credit-based system, compulsory subjects |
Each state-based qualification offers a unique approach to senior secondary education. The HSC and VCE place a strong emphasis on academic achievement and external exams, while the QCE and SACE offer more flexibility and a broader range of learning pathways, including vocational education and training. Understanding these differences can help students choose the qualification that best suits their individual needs and aspirations. For more information about Reportcard, visit our homepage.