QCE Core courses of study
To be eligible for a QCE, students must achieve a minimum of 12 credits from completed Core courses of study. Partly completed core courses contribute credit towards a QCE, but do not count towards completed Core requirements. The following table summarises the options available. Please see below for further details.
| Course | Set standard | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| Authority or Authority-registered subjects | At least a Sound level of achievement | 4 |
| Subjects assessed by a Senior External Examination | At least a Sound level of achievement | 4 |
| VET Certificate II, III or IV qualifications (includes school-based traineeships that incorporate on-the-job training) | Certificate awarded | Certificate II: 4 |
| Certificate III & IV: 5, 6, 7, or 8 | ||
| School-based apprenticeships | Certificate III: competencies demonstrated | 2 |
| On-the-job component: completed | 4 | |
| Tailored training programs | Completed | 4 |
| Recognised international learning programs | At least a Pass grade (as defined by the course) | 4 for each course |
Authority subjects/Authority-registered subjects
These are the subjects undertaken by most students in Years 11 and 12. (See a list of Authority and Authority-registered courses.)
Each subject exited after 4 semesters at a Sound level of achievement or higher contributes 4 credits towards a QCE.
Subjects exited before the completion of 4 semesters may receive credits for the semesters that have been completed - each semester completed at a Sound level of achievement or higher contributes 1 credit.
Senior External Examinations
The QSA offers Senior External Examinations for people who are unable to access particular subjects at a school.
Each subject completed at a Sound level of achievement or higher contributes 4 credits towards a QCE.
VET Certificates II, III and IV
Awarded Vocational Education and Training (VET) Certificate II qualifications contribute 4 credits towards a QCE. Awarded Certificate III and IV qualifications generally contribute 8 credits, although some contribute less. The QCE Handbook (Appendix 4) has a list of VET Certificates III and IV and their credit value.
Partly completed VET qualifications may contribute credits towards the QCE. The number of credits depends on the number of competencies completed, whether 25%, 50% or 75% of competencies completed. See the QCE Handbook (Appendix 4) for credit details.
Some Authority subjects and Authority-registered subjects incorporate VET certificates. These subjects contribute 4 credits towards a QCE when exited at a Sound level of achievement or higher. Any VET certificate or competencies awarded as part of these subjects are recorded in the Learning Account and Senior Statement, but they do not contribute additional credits towards the QCE. Subjects exited at a Limited level of achievement may contribute credits towards a QCE through their VET component.
School-based traineeships and apprenticeships
These programs allow students to work and train towards a recognised qualification while completing their school studies.
School-based traineeships are VET Certificate II or III qualifications that include on-the-job training. Completed traineeships contribute 4 credits for Certificate II and up to 8 credits for Certificate III qualifications.
Partly completed VET Certificates undertaken as part of a traineeship may contribute credits to the QCE. The same provisions apply as for VET Certificates (see above).
School-based apprenticeships include a VET Certificate III qualification. It is anticipated that students will complete 30% of competencies while enrolled at school. These competencies can contribute up to 2 credits towards the QCE, but do not count towards completed core requirements. In addition, an on-the-job component of 96 days over a 2-year period may contribute 4 credits towards core requirements for a QCE. An incomplete on-the-job component of a school-based apprenticeship contributes 1 credit per 20 days of participation.
For more information, visit the Department of Education, Training and the Arts website or contact your school.
Tailored training programs
These programs are designed to meet individual training needs that may not be readily met by a training package. The programs must include a minimum of 12 related competencies from VET Certificate II level or above and be negotiated in advance with the QSA. Programs contribute 4 credits towards a QCE when completed.
Recognised international learning programs
These programs have been developed or are owned by overseas organisations, such as the International Baccalaureate Organisation. Courses of study must be recognised by the QSA. For information on course recognition and a list of recognised programs see Recognised studies.
A Pass in a component of a recognised international learning program contributes 4 credits towards a QCE.
Last updated: 10 April 2008
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