The Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) is the certificate that the majority of students in Victoria receive on satisfactory completion of their secondary education. The VCE provides diverse pathways to further study or training at university or TAFE and to employment. Through the design of courses, VCE caters for a wide variety of student ability and interest. Students have two options within the VCE:

Traditional VCE

VCE subjects use a standards-based Assessment system that is designed to generate a rank (ATAR) usable for tertiary entrance. This includes assessments as part of each study design, which includes School Based Assessment and examinations. The only compulsory subject in VCE is a study of English, or any of the English group subjects. Year 12 VCE assessments are conducted under the VCAA conditions and include examinations. After all assessments, each subject will be granted a numeric assessment (Study Score) which is the basis for the generation of an ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank). The ATAR is used as the basis for entry to many university courses and a large number of TAFE courses. Students may opt for an unscored VCE.

VCE Vocational Major

The VCE Vocational Major (VM) is a vocational and applied learning program within the VCE designed to be completed over a minimum of two years. The VCE VM will give students greater choice and flexibility to pursue their strengths and interests and develop the skills and capabilities needed to succeed in further education, work and life.

It prepares students to move into apprenticeships, traineeships, further education and training, university (via non-ATAR pathways) or directly into the workforce.

The purpose of the VCE VM is to provide students with the best opportunity to achieve their personal goals and aspirations in a rapidly changing world by:

• equipping them with the skills, knowledge, values and capabilities to be active and informed citizens, lifelong learners and confident and creative individuals; and

• empowering them to make informed decisions about the next stages of their lives through real life workplace experiences.

Vocational Education and Training as part of a VCE allows students to include vocational studies as part of their course. Once successfully completed VET Programs lead to a nationally recognised qualification thereby offering students the opportunity to gain the VCE and a national VET qualification. 

There are several levels of VET courses and these are offered as part of the senior school. These may be offered on-site at Tarneit Senior College, off-site at other cluster colleges or are taught at TAFE institutions.

All students undertaking VCE - Vocational Major must select a VET subject.

External VET Options (Cluster) 

To be eligible to receive the VCE, students must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 16 units, including:

• 3 VCE English units (including a Unit 3–4 sequence)

• Students must complete a minimum of three other Unit 3–4 sequences as part of their program.

To be eligible to receive the VCE VM, students must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 16 units, including:

• 3 VCE VM Literacy or VCE English units (including a Unit 3–4 sequence)

• 2 VCE VM Numeracy or VCE Mathematics units

• 2 VCE VM Work Related Skills units

• 2 VCE VM Personal Development Skills units, and

• 2 VET credits at Certificate II level or above (180 nominal hours)

• 2 credits of Structured Workplace Learning

Students must complete a minimum of three other Unit 3–4 sequences as part of their program. Units 3 and 4 of VM studies may be undertaken together over the duration of the academic year to enable these to be integrated.

Students can also include other VCE studies, and will receive structured workplace learning recognition.