How to Choose the Right Year 11 and 12 Subjects | 2026 HSC Edition

Choosing your HSC subjects is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in high school. The right combination can make your HSC journey more enjoyable, set you up for university success, and even reduce stress. But with so many subjects and factors to consider, how do you make the right choices? This guide will break it down step by step.

Table of Contents

• Identify What Truly Motivates You
• Look Forward – How Subjects Affect Your Future Path
• HSC Subjects and University Degree Requirements
• Understand Workload Realistically
• Consider Scaling—But Don’t Let It Dominate Your Decision
• Build a Well-Rounded Subject Combination
• Make an Informed, Confident Decision

Step 1: Identify What Truly Motivates You

Before worrying about scaling or prerequisites, ask yourself: “Which subjects am I genuinely interested in?”

The HSC isn’t just classroom time. Consider the total commitment:

• Year 11: ~120 hours of class time + ~80 hours of study outside class
• Year 12: ~120 hours of class time + ~120 hours of study outside class

That’s roughly 440 hours per subject over two years. If you don’t enjoy a subject, it’s very easy to lose motivation and fall behind.

Think about what makes you curious or excited. If you’re drawn to numbers, Maths or Physics could be engaging. If you enjoy storytelling or analysis, English, History, or Literature might suit you better.

Step 2: Look Forward – How Subjects Affect Your Future Path

Even if you’re unsure about university, it’s smart to consider what options you want to keep open. Certain courses have assumed knowledge requirements:

• Health-related degrees: Chemistry is often recommended; Maths Advanced may also help.
• Engineering or Computer Science: Extension 1/2 Maths and Physics are usually essential.
• Commerce or Business: Advanced Maths is strongly recommended, and for Actuarial Studies, Extension 1/2 Maths can be crucial.
• Law: No assumed knowledge, but strong English skills are highly beneficial.

HSC Subjects and University Degree Requirements | Year 11 & 12 Subject Guide

If you’re unsure of your future, choose subjects that keep multiple pathways open. For example, taking Maths Advanced, English Advanced, and a science will preserve options for STEM, health, or commerce courses.

Step 3: Understand Workload Realistically

Every HSC subject requires effort, but some come with additional demands:

• Major works: Visual Arts, Design, Music, Drama, or Textiles require large-scale projects that take hours outside of class. Limit yourself to two major works to prevent burnout.
• Regular assessments: Maths, Science, and English require weekly practice, problem sets, or essay writing.

Remember: you can drop a subject level if needed (e.g., Advanced Maths → Standard Maths), but you can’t move up later. Start with a challenging subject if you think you can handle it, and adjust as needed.

Tip: Balance your subjects between high-demand and manageable courses to maintain wellbeing.

Step 4: Consider Scaling—But Don’t Let It Dominate Your Decision

Scaling adjusts marks across subjects to account for relative difficulty, but it shouldn’t be your primary factor.

• English: Advanced is usually better from a scaling perspective, even if you perform moderately.
• Maths: Scaling differences are smaller; sometimes dropping to Standard Maths is fine, but be careful with university prerequisites.
• Sciences: Physics and Chemistry scale slightly higher than Biology, but your personal performance matters more than scaling alone.

The key is: pick subjects you enjoy and are good at first, then check scaling to refine your choices.

Step 5: Build a Well-Rounded Subject Combination

Finally, combine your subjects strategically:

• Include your strongest and most enjoyable subjects to maintain confidence.
• Mix disciplines—Maths, Science, Humanities, and Arts—to diversify skills.
• Ensure you meet prerequisites for potential university courses.
• Limit high-demand or major-work subjects to avoid overload.

Example: A balanced Year 11/12 subject combination could be:

1. English Advanced (mandatory)
2. Mathematics Advanced
3. Chemistry
4. Economics
5. Visual Arts (major work)

This combination balances sciences, maths, arts, and humanities, keeps university options open, and avoids overloading major works.

Step 6: Make an Informed, Confident Decision

Choosing your HSC subjects isn’t just about marks—it’s about setting yourself up for two years of learning you can handle and enjoy. Follow these steps:

1. Prioritise subjects you are passionate about.
2. Check prerequisites for any potential university courses.
3. Manage workload carefully, especially with major works.
4. Use scaling as a secondary factor, not the main driver.
5. Aim for a balanced, diverse subject combination.

With careful planning, you’ll be able to approach your HSC with confidence, focus, and motivation—ready to achieve your best results.

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