content-left-bg.png
content-right-bg.png

Senior secondary

WebPartZone1_1
PublishingPageContent

​​​​Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) system

From 2020, the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) replaces the Overall Position (OP) as the standard pathway to tertiary study for Queensland Year 12s.

Key features of the system include:

  • new and redeveloped QCAA senior syllabuses
  • external assessment in most senior subjects
  • quality assurance processes to strengthen the quality and comparability of school-based assessment
  • changes to QCE eligibility requirements
  • the introduction of the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR).

Resources available

The Queensland Curriculum & Assessment Authority (QCAA) has a webpage dedicated to brochures and fact sheets containing all of the relevant information.  This can be accessed via the QCAA website.

The Queensland Tertiary Admission Centre (QTAC) also has a webpage dedicated to the ATAR.  It includes a white paper about inter-subject scaling amongst other resources. This can be accessed via the QTAC website.

Subject Selection - Year 10

Students in Year 10 study mandatory and elective Australian Curriculum Subjects. Students are able to choose four elective subjects to compliment the mandatory subjects of English, Mathematics, Science, History and Health and Physical Education. Extension classes are available for English, Mathematics and Science.

The table below outlines the set program for students in Year 10.





Year 10

Subject studied Year long
- English or
  English Extension
- Mathematics or
  Mathematics Extension
-Science or
 Science Extension
Subject studied for 1 semester only
- History
- Health & Physical Education

Elective subjects 
studied for 1 semester each
Choice of 4 subjects
- Dance
- Drama
- Music
- Visual Arts
- Media Arts
- Economics and    Business
- Geography
- Civics and Citizenship (Legal Studies)
- Italian* (year long elective)
- Digital Technologies
- Food Specialisations
- Materials & Technology Specialisations
- Engineering Principles & Systems

Living Your Future
Student wellbeing lesson, studied once a week in all year levels

​​

Subject Selection - Year 11 and 12

Students in Year 11 and 12 study two compulsory subjects and four elective subjects that align with their preferred pathway​ and allow them to attain their Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE).  Students who are interested in gaining an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) for direct entry into university are encouraged to choose a minimum of five General subjects to ensure their ATAR is competitive.

Types of subjects

  • Applied subjects focus on practical skills and prepare students for further education and training and work.
  • General subjects are predominantly designed to prepare students for tertiary study, further education and training and work.
  • Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses are nationally recognised qualifications that range from Certificate I courses to Advanced Diplomas.  They develop students' skills and prepare them for work and can also lead to further study.

All senior subjects listed below are subject to change based on student interest.  The subjects will be offered during the Year 10 subject selection process but may not run if student numbers are insufficient.

Years 11 and 12


Compulsory Subjects (2 Years)​​Essential English (Applied) or English (General)
Essential Mathematics (Applied), General Mathematics (General), Mathematical Methods (General)​
​Elective Subjects (2 Years)
​The Arts
  • Visual Arts in Practice (Applied)
  • Drama (General)
  • Film, Television and New Media (General)
  • Visual Art (General)​​

​Health and Physical Education
  • ​Sport and Recreation (Applied)
  • Certificate III in Fitness (including First Aid) (VET)

​Humanities
  • ​Social and Community Studies (Applied)
  • Certificate III in Business (VET)
  • Ancient History (General)
  • Business (General)
  • Geography (General)
  • Legal Studies (General)
  • Modern History (General)
​Mathematics
  • Specialist Mathematics (General)
​Science
  • Science in Practice (Applied)
  • Biology (General)
  • Chemistry (General)
  • Physics (General)

​Technologies
  • ​Industrial Technology Skills (Applied)
  • Certificate II Engineering Pathways (VET)
  • Certificate II Hospitality (VET)


Senior Secondary Course Guide 

The Senior Secondary Course Guide provides details regarding subject offerings for Year 10, as well as result recommendations related to Extension and elective subjects. Details regarding the progression of learning from Year 10 - 12 is included as well as the Year 11 subjects on offer for 2023, the recommended Year 10 subjects and results for success in these subjects.  This guide will be updated annually in Term 2 to reflect subjects on offer for the following year. Senior Subject Guide MHSSC 2023.pdf (PDF, 11.6 MB)


Senior Learning and Assessment Policy
The Senior Learning and Assessment Policy is developed from the QCE and QCIA policy and procedures handbook and applies to students in Years 10-12.  This document contains information and policies regarding the submission of assessment (drafts and finals), Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments (AARA), supporting documentation required in instances of illness or misadventure, academic integrity and more. Senior Learning and Assessment Policy 2023.pdf (PDF, 576 KB)
​​​​

 


 

WebPartZone1_2
WebPartZone2_1
WebPartZone2_2
WebPartZone2_3
WebPartZone3_1
WebPartZone3_2
WebPartZone3_3
WebPartZone3_4
WebPartZone4_1
WebPartZone5_1
WebPartZone5_2
WebPartZone6_1
WebPartZone6_2
WebPartZone7_1
WebPartZone7_2
WebPartZone8_1
WebPartZone8_2
WebPartZone9_1
Last reviewed 27 February 2024
Last updated 27 February 2024