General Information about the HSC

INFORMATION ABOUT THE HSC

General Information

This is your introduction to the HSC and the many options now available.  More information is contained in the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) publication - Studying for the New South Wales Higher School Certificate.

• • • The Higher School Certificate recognises 13 years of schooling.  In the interests of greater career choices and increased opportunities at University and TAFE, it offers you a full range of areas matching individual abilities, interests and goals.

    • Courses are linked to further education and training:

      • • • • Extension courses (including undergraduate university courses) will enable students to undertake more in-depth study in areas of special interest.

            • Vocational Education and Training courses will count towards the HSC and will also lead to qualifications recognised by TAFE and across a range of industries.

    • The HSC will fairly assess each student’s knowledge and skills.

    • For each course you will receive easy to understand reports which contain much more information.  These reports provide clearer indications of what you have demonstrated you know, understand and can do in each course.  Each report contains your rank for each assessment for the course.

The HSC includes Life Skills Courses for students with special education needs

Rules for the Award of the HSC

Students must have satisfactorily completed courses that meet the pattern of study required by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for the award of the Higher School Certificate.  This includes the completion of the practical, oral or project works required for specific courses and the assessment requirements for each course.  Alternative Pathways can be approved by the Principal in cases of illness, sporting commitments, and the like to complete the HSC over more than the usual two year period.

NESA Rules state that students must have sat for and made a genuine and serious attempt at the Higher School Certificate examinations.

Students must study a minimum of 12 units in Year 11 and a minimum of 10 units in Year 12.  Both the Year 11 and 12 pattern of study must include the following:

• 2 units of compulsory English 

• At least 6 units from Board Developed Courses 

• At least three courses of 2 units value or greater

• At least four subjects(including English)

• a maximum of 6 units of Science may be included in the Year 11 pattern of study. 

• a maximum of 7 units of Science may be included in the Year 12 pattern of study.  

The HSC Rules and Procedures Guide, Studying for the New South Wales Higher School Certificate – An Information Booklet for Year 10 Students, contains all the HSC rules and requirements you will need to know (www.educationstandards.nsw.edu.au). 

If you wish to be awarded the HSC:

• Students must have satisfactorily completed courses that meet the pattern of study required by NESA for the award of the Higher School Certificate.  This includes the completion of the practical, oral or project works required for specific courses and the assessment requirements for each course.

• Further information can be found in the University Entry Requirements Year 10 Booklet, published by UAC and distributed in Term 3.

• If you do not wish to receive an ATAR, the rest of your courses may be made up from Board Endorsed Courses once you have studied six units from Board Developed Courses.

• If you do not meet the requirements of one of the courses that make up your 10 units for the HSC, you will not receive an HSC.

HSC Course Notes

• It is recommended that students select only ONE course that has MAJOR WORKS/projects comprising internal and/or external assessment.  These include Visual Arts, Design & Technology, Industrial Technology (Timber), Industrial Technology (Multimedia), Society and Culture and English Extension 2.  Projects developed for assessment in one subject are not to be used either in full or in part for assessment in any other subject.

• You may not include any more than 6 units in Year 11 or 7 units in Year 12 of the following Science Courses: Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Investigating Science in meeting the 12 Preliminary or 10 HSC units.  

• There are some additional rules for some language courses (Saturday School of Community Languages).

• VET Courses require all students to complete compulsory work placement hours in both Years 11 and 12.

Additional information about courses and the new HSC is available on the NESA website