VCE Overview

Studying at Year 11 and 12 to gain your Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) (ATAR and Non-ATAR) is an option for your senior studies at Marian College. The requirements to gain your VCE are set by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) and are outlined further on in this section. A VCE Program is made up of semester length units taken over a minimum of two years. Marian College offers a wide range of subjects that you can choose from in putting together your program of studies.

What You Have To Study

In order to qualify for the Victorian Certificate of Education you must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 16 units which must include:

• 3 units from the English group (English, English Language, or Literature), including a Unit 3 & 4 sequence

• 3 additional sequences of Units 3 & 4.

Please note to gain an ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank) you must have successfully completed four Unit 3 & 4 sequences, one of which must be from the English group.

A VCE Non-ATAR pathway is available, upon application, for Year 12 students.  It is important to note that this does not provide an ATAR but may be the most suitable option for some students. Students will be reuqired to complete some additional requirements, for example microcredentials, that will prepare them for further studies or work.   

All of  the VCE units offered by Marian College for 2024 are outlined further on in this site.

In Year 11

Each Year 11 student must complete 12 units - 6 units each semester.

Students must satisfactorily complete 9 units over Year 11 to progress into Year 12. 

English Units 1 & 2 or Literature Units 1 & 2 or English Language Units 1 & 2 are compulsory.

At least two of the units you complete must be Religious Education Units. Please refer to the Religious Education section of this handbook for a more detailed explanation of the Religious Education requirements in the senior years.

In most cases, it is recommended that students complete the Unit 1 & 2 sequence of a study, before completing Units 3 & 4. However, in some cases both units are not able to be offered. In these circumstances, the unit that provides the best background for the Unit 3 & 4 sequence will be offered. 

Students who have shown particular aptitude in a subject area may elect to study one or two Unit 3 & 4 sequences in Year 11. You can find out more about this in the Individual Programs section of this Handbook.

Students are not to do more than two portfolio subjects (Media, Art Making and Exhibiting, Food Studies, Product Design & Technology, Visual Communication Design) in one year.

In Year 12

Year 12 students study up to 10 VCE units across the year. These include an English group sequence and four other sequences of your choice. Students must study a minimum of five units a semester, unless they have been approved for a Reduced Academic Load (see Individual Programs).

All students complete the 'Living Justice Living Peace Program' which is a school-based Religious Education Program. 

Students who have shown particular aptitude and interest in a subject area may complete a Higher Education Study as part of their Year 12 Program. You can find out more about this in the Individual Programs section of this Handbook.

Students are not to do more than two portfolio subjects (Media, Art Making and Exhibiting, Food Studies, Product Design & Technology, Visual Communication and Design) in one year.