Types of HSC Courses

There are different types of courses that you can select in Years 11 and 12.

• All courses contribute to the award of a HSC

• Not all contribute to an ATAR

Board Developed Courses

These courses are developed by the NESA.  There is a syllabus for each course which contains:

• the course objectives, structure, content and outcomes

• specific course requirements and

• assessment requirements.

All students entered for the HSC who are studying these courses follow these syllabuses. 

These courses are:

• examined externally at the end of the HSC course and

• can count towards the calculation of the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR).

Board Endorsed Courses

• Board Endorsed Courses have syllabuses endorsed by NESA to cater for areas of special interest not covered in the Content Developed Courses E.g. Exploring Early Childhood (1 Unit).

• Some Board Endorsed Courses are one year courses.

• There is no external examination for any Board Endorsed Course.

• All Board Endorsed Courses count towards the Higher School Certificate and appear on your Record of Achievement.

• Board Endorsed Courses do count in the calculation of the ATAR in 2025. Note that when you complete the HSC in 2025, there will no longer be a distinction between Category A and Category B courses.

• Most HSC VET (Vocational Education and Training) courses delivered by TAFE are Board Endorsed Courses.

VET or Vocational Education and Training Courses

• Vocational Educational and Training (VET) courses are offered as part of the Higher School Certificate.

• Enable students to study courses which are relevant to industry needs.

• Have clear links to post-school destinations.

• Allow students to gain both Higher School Certificate qualifications and accreditation with industry and the workplace as part of the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). This qualifications is recognised across Australia and help students to move easily between the various education and training sectors and employment.

• VET courses have a specific workplace component and a minimum number of hours students spend in the workplace or a simulated workplace at school.

• Students receive special documentation showing the competencies gained.

• Framework courses (Board Developed) can count towards the calculation of the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) if optional examination is undertaken.

• Some of these courses will be delivered by schools, while others will be delivered by TAFE or other providers.

School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships

• School based apprenticeships and traineeships prepare students for a career in a particular industry, provide a training wage and skills training both on-the-job and off-the-job at school, TAFE NSW or with a private training provider.

• School based apprenticeships and traineeships can be undertaken via a range of HSC VET courses.  All Industry Curriculum Frameworks provide for an opportunity to undertake either a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship pathway.

• A school-based traineeship is generally completed over two years while students are at school and undertaken as part of the HSC Program.

• A school-based apprenticeship is undertaken over two years part-time while students are at school as part of their HSC, and then continued over three years full-time post school.

Life Skills Courses as part of a Special Program of Study

Stage 6 (Years 11 and 12) Life Skills courses will be available for students following a Special Program of Study for the Higher School Certificate.

Students interested in these courses should see the Deputy Principal.  Life Skills courses will have Board Developed status and can be used in place of other Board Developed Courses to meet requirements for the award of the Higher School Certificate.  Each Life Skills course comprises a 2 Unit Preliminary Course and a 2 Unit HSC Course.