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

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

• Start with Your Interests and Strengths
• Think About Future Goals and University Pathways
• VCE Subjects and University Degree Requirements
• Understand Workload and Major Projects
• Consider Scaling and ATAR Impact
• Create a Balanced Subject Combination
• Make an Informed Decision

Step 1: Start with 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.

Step 2: Think About 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

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.

Step 3: Understand Workload and Major Projects

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.

Step 4: Consider Scaling and ATAR Impact

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.

Step 5: Create a Balanced 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.

Step 6: Make an Informed Decision

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.

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