How to Choose the Right Year 11 and 12 VCE Subjects in 2026

Manoj Arachige -

KIS Summary:

  • Priortise choosing VCE subjects based on interests first, and then check university prerequisites.
  • Balance your workload by limiting yourself to 1-2 project-heavy subjects, and mix high-demand subjects (Maths Methods, Physics) with moderate-demand ones (Humanities, Arts) to avoid burnout.
  • High-scaling subjects like Mathematical Methods or Chemistry, can boost your ATAR, but performing well in subjects you actually enjoy typically yields better results.

Join 5000+ KIS students →

Choosing the right VCE subjects is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in high school. The right combination can make your VCE experience more manageable, enjoyable, and set you up for university success.

But with so many subjects and options, how do you make the right choices? This guide breaks it down step by step.

Table of Contents

What Factors Should You Consider When Selecting Year 11 & 12 VCE Subjects In 2026?

Prioritise Your Interests and Strengths

The first question to ask is: “Which subjects am I genuinely interested in?”

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

  • Units 1 & 2 (Year 11): ~120 hours of class time + additional weekly study (~80 hours total per subject)
  • Units 3 & 4 (Year 12): ~120 hours of class time + additional weekly study (~120 hours total per subject)

This adds up to roughly 400–450 hours per subject over two years. If you choose subjects you dislike, it can be very easy to lose motivation and fall behind.

Think about your personal strengths and curiosity. Are you drawn to numbers, formulas, and problem-solving? Consider Maths Methods or Specialist Maths. Do you enjoy analysing texts, history, or politics? Consider English, Literature, or History subjects.

💡
Tip: Make a ranked list of your top subjects based on interest and ability. Your most enjoyable subjects should guide the bulk of your selections.

Consider Future Goals and University Pathways

Even if you’re unsure of your career path, consider what options you want to keep open. Many university courses have prerequisites or recommended studies:

  • Medicine & Health: Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematical Methods are usually recommended.
  • Engineering & IT: Mathematical Methods, Specialist Maths, Physics recommended.
  • Commerce / Business / Economics: Mathematical Methods highly recommended.
  • Law: No strict prerequisites, but English and Literature help develop writing and analysis skills.
  • Psychology: Mathematical Methods recommended for statistical understanding, plus English for research writing.

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

University Degree VCE Prerequisites / Assumed Knowledge Recommended VCE Subjects
Medicine Mathematics and Chemistry recommended Mathematical Methods, Chemistry, Biology
Dentistry Mathematics and Chemistry recommended Mathematical Methods, Chemistry, Biology
Physiotherapy Mathematical Methods and Chemistry recommended Mathematical Methods, Chemistry, Physics, Biology
Engineering Mathematical Methods / Specialist Maths required, Physics recommended Mathematical Methods, Specialist Maths, Physics, Chemistry
Computer Science / IT Mathematical Methods required Mathematical Methods, Specialist Maths, Physics, Information Technology
Commerce / Business / Economics Mathematical Methods recommended Mathematical Methods, Economics, Business Management
Actuarial Studies Mathematical Methods or Specialist Maths highly recommended Mathematical Methods, Specialist Maths, Economics
Law No prerequisites required English, Literature, Legal Studies, History
Psychology Mathematical Methods recommended Mathematical Methods, Psychology, English
Veterinary Science Mathematical Methods, Chemistry, Biology required Mathematical Methods, Chemistry, Biology, Physics
Aviation / Pilot Programs Mathematical Methods recommended Mathematical Methods, Physics

If you’re uncertain about your future, choose subjects that keep multiple pathways open. For example, a combination of Mathematical Methods, Chemistry, English, and a Humanities or Arts subject preserves options for STEM, health, or commerce degrees.

💡
Tip: Check VTAC (Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre) for prerequisites and recommended studies for courses you might consider.

How To Manage Your VCE Subject Workload?

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

  • Major Projects / School Assessed Coursework: Some subjects, such as Visual Arts, Studio Arts, Music, or Technology, require extensive work outside class. Limit yourself to two major projects to avoid burnout.
  • Mathematics and Science: Regular practice is critical, often weekly problem sets or assignments.
  • English & Humanities: Essays and analysis require consistent planning and drafting.

Remember: you can drop a subject level (e.g., Maths Methods → General Maths), but you cannot move up later. It’s best to start with challenging subjects you can handle, and adjust if needed.

How Does Scaling Impact Your VCE Subject Selection?

VCE subjects scale to adjust for difficulty, impacting your ATAR. Some high-scaling subjects include:

  • Mathematics Methods / Specialist Maths
  • Physics / Chemistry
  • English / Literature

However, scaling should not be your primary factor. Excelling in a subject you enjoy often results in a better ATAR than struggling in a “high-scaling” subject.

How To Choose A Balanced VCE Subject Combination?

When selecting your VCE subjects:

  • Include your strongest and most enjoyable subjects for confidence and motivation.
  • Mix disciplines—Mathematics, Science, Humanities, Arts—to diversify skills.
  • Ensure prerequisites for potential university courses are covered.
  • Limit high-demand subjects with major projects to avoid overload.

Example Balanced Year 11/12 Subject Selection:

  1. English (Units 1–4)
  2. Mathematical Methods (Units 1–4)
  3. Chemistry (Units 1–4)
  4. Economics (Units 1–4)
  5. Studio Arts (Units 1–4, major project)

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

Conclusion On VCE Year 11 & 12 Subject Selection 2026

Choosing VCE subjects isn’t just about marks; it’s about creating a two-year plan you can enjoy and manage. Follow these steps:

  1. Prioritise subjects you enjoy.
  2. Check prerequisites for your potential university courses.
  3. Manage workload, especially for major projects.
  4. Consider scaling, but don’t let it dominate your decision.
  5. Aim for a well-rounded combination of subjects.

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

What Our Students & Parents Say

600+ Five-Star reviews across all our tutoring programs — hear why below !👇

Start Your KIS Journey →

Want even more resources to smash your VCE? Check out these 👇

VCE English Subjects Explained: English, English Language, Literature & EAL - What’s the difference?
Confused by VCE English options? Discover the key differences between English, English Language, Literature, and EAL so you can choose the subject that’s right for you. Expert tips from KIS Academics.
KIS Academics BlogManoj Arachige
ATAR Cut-Offs Explained — And Why You Shouldn’t Panic About Them
Worried about ATAR cut-offs? You’re not alone — but the truth is, they’re not the full story when it comes to getting into your dream course. In this article, we break down what ATAR cut-offs really mean and why you shouldn’t stress if your score doesn’t quite match.
KIS Academics BlogManoj Arachige
The VCE Study Design - how to understand it for your ATAR subjects
Curious about the VCE study design? This article covers what to do at the start of the school year to make the most out of your study design, but especially how ace your final exams - keep reading to find out!
KIS Academics BlogManoj Arachige

FAQs About VCE Year 11 & 12 Subject Selection 2026

1. How many VCE subjects do you do in Year 11 in Australia?

Most students in Victoria take 5–6 VCE subjects in Year 11 (Units 1 & 2). This usually includes English plus 4–5 other subjects, depending on your school and timetable. Taking this number allows you to spread your workload, explore a range of subjects, and keep options open for university prerequisites. Some students may take an extra subject to allow for dropping one later in Year 12 if it becomes too challenging.

2. Should you do 5 or 6 VCE subjects in Year 12?

This comes back to the point of being able to manage your workload. If you're organised and can handle 6 subjects, this would be the better option. There are two reasons for this:

a) A student who completes a 6th subject will have an automatic 10% advantage over a student who only completes 5.
b) Furthermore, a 6th subject will ensure that a poor mark in one subject will have less of an impact on your overall score.

This is not to say that you can't do 5 subjects, but you will need to ensure the subjects you select play to your strengths & interests so that you can maximise your final VCE ATAR.

3. What is the hardest VCE subject?

The difficulty of VCE subjects varies depending on your strengths, but some are widely considered challenging:

  • Mathematical Methods and Specialist Maths – require strong problem-solving and consistent practice.
  • Physics and Chemistry – involve high-level theory and calculations.
  • English Literature – requires advanced analysis and essay-writing skills.
  • Studio Arts / Visual Arts – major projects can be time-consuming and require creativity plus technical skill.

Ultimately, the hardest subject is subjective — what’s difficult for one student may be easier for another based on interests and natural strengths.

4. Does Year 11 matter in VCE?

Yes! Year 11 (Units 1 & 2) lays the foundation for Year 12 (Units 3 & 4). Your performance in Year 11 helps you:

  • Understand course content and build knowledge for Year 12 exams.
  • Develop study habits, time management, and assessment strategies.
  • Decide whether to continue or adjust subject levels before Year 12.

Although Year 11 marks don’t directly count towards your ATAR, doing well and building strong habits makes Year 12 more manageable and sets you up for success.

5. How do you choose your VCE subjects?

By far the two most important factors you should consider when selecting your VCE subjects are:

1. What you're genuinely interested in (This will likely be your strengths)
2. Pre-requisites you may need to take to gain entrance into a specific university degree

If you know what you want to do when you leave school, you can include subjects that will lead you to that goal. If you're not sure, you can include subjects that leave your post-school options open for exploration