In most Victorian schools, the first two secondary years are jam-packed with everything from German to PE. Unless you’re one of those all-rounder types, the chances are you had to endure a couple of years learning something that you’ll never do again.
In years 9 and 10, however, students are given autonomy to pick subjects that align most closely with their interests, but the choice also comes with a risk: what if I choose the wrong subjects? With a little planning and research, however, plotting your VCE journey becomes a lot less stressful.
Make a List
Each school will offer a different selection of subjects, so make a list of every subject on offer in your school, and you might be surprised that something you previously didn’t even know existed or didn’t properly consider is the right pick for you.
Go through the list one by one, think about whether the topics interest you, whether the types of assessments are ones you’re likely to perform well in, and how the subject will fit into your overall course load. For example, picking three content-heavy issues at the same time might be a tough ask for some, and it might be a better option to balance something like History, which requires quite a bit of memory, with something more creative like Design Technology.
Do not make your decision based on what your friends chose. While the idea of spending a year in a classroom with your best friend dissecting frogs in biology may sound great, if you’re not up for learning the various stages of cell division or photosynthesis, perhaps you’re better off choosing something else and catching up with your friends at lunchtime.
Gain a deeper understanding of what the Subjects cover
Especially for the more common subject streams like Maths and English, students often select a particular unit without much thought of the actual content covered.
While the three most common maths subjects (Further, Methods, and Specialist) are often considered in terms of their perceived level of difficulty, and although that is true to an extent, the actual type of maths being learned is vastly different in each.
- Many students who are strong in maths in years 9 and 10 pick Specialist in addition to Methods, without realising that Specialist covers a whole area that more closely resembles Physics. If your strengths in maths lie more in accounting-type maths than in kinematics, perhaps Further is the better option.
Similarly, students who balk at the prospect of a three-hour English exam may opt for Literature, for which the exam is only two hours. However, unless you’re truly passionate about literature, and enjoy studying texts on a deep level, perhaps standard English is the better choice for you.
Head to the VCAA website and start becoming familiar with the Study Designs of various subjects, which will help not only you in your selections but in your study throughout years 11 and 12.
Think about VCE subjects in the broader context of your future
Much is to be said about the scaling VCE subjects, and while it might be a wise choice to pick the more favourably scaled of two subjects you truly enjoy, making a selection purely based on scaling is a recipe for disaster.
If you’re going to struggle to learn something that does not play to your strengths, the chances are you will spend so much time studying for that one subject and so much time stressing that your grades in other subjects will fall behind. And even if this isn’t the case, you might be in for a shock when it gets to university time.
If the subjects you’ve chosen are completely irrelevant to the course you prefer, or to the career you want to pursue, you might struggle a lot more to become the professional you want to be compared to someone who spent their VCE gaining the right building blocks.
Know the important University course Prerequisites
Do note that choosing subjects simply because they are prerequisites for certain highly-sought university courses, such as medicine or engineering, may lead you into the same trap as choosing based on scaling. While you have a good idea of where your passions lie, it is important to make sure you do not rule yourself out of any particular course.
Familiarise yourself with the common prerequisites (e.g., Methods, Further, Chemistry), and consider them in the context of your interests and potential university pathways.
Conclusion
While choosing VCE subjects can be daunting, and there’s no right or wrong answer to selection for units 1 & 2. Spend some time thinking about, and learning about the subjects on offer. Even if it turns out you made some wrong choices in year 11, there are units 3 & 4 subjects that you can pick up in year 12 without prior knowledge.
Consider booking a free 30-minute study skills consultation to discuss the best approach to subject selections for your individual needs. For more study guides, check these articles out:
Manoj Arachige
Manoj Arachige
Manoj Arachige
FAQs
How should I Choose my Subjects?
- Know your interests/strengths: Choose subjects you are interested in and do well at.
- Check prerequisites: Research university/TAFE course prerequisites (e.g., Chemistry for medicine, Mathematical Methods for engineering). Some courses have compulsory VCE subjects or minimum scores required.
- Balance ambition and wellbeing: Consider the workload since some subjects like Maths Methods, Chemistry, Specialists are more demanding.
- Scaling and ATAR: Higher scaling subjects may boost your aggregate, but only if you score well. Don’t pick subjects based solely on scaling.
- Ask for advice: Seek help from VCE coordinators, teachers, and graduates for insights and experiences.
Can I take more than 5 subjects?
- It’s possible to complete 6 or more VCE subjects. VTAC counts up to 6 subjects towards your ATAR, the rest are disregarded.
- Doing extra subjects adds flexibility—if one doesn’t go well, you have a backup, but beware of overload
What English options do I have?
- You must take at least one English: VCE English (mainstream), English Language, Literature, or EAL.
- Research each options' content and assessments, and pick one that matches your strengths.
Written by Dee Tomic who completed her PhD in epidemiology at Monash University.
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