VCE Insights
VCE Insights
With only five weeks left of Term 3, many of our Year 12 students can probably see the end is near as far as school assessed coursework is concerned. However, with end of year exams only a few months away, it is important for students to be putting in place strategies to prepare for these exams early.
In this edition of VCE Insights, you will find comprehensive updates on current offerings from tertiary institutions across Australia, as well as details on key dates and academic schedules for the upcoming fortnight.
Mrs Tracey McCallum, VCE Coordinator
- Monday 20 August: Mid-Term break. No students required on this day.
- Monday 27 August: Girls Talk Seminar at 7pm with Andrew Fuller – see details below.
- Friday 31 August: Father’s Day Breakfast at 7.15am – bookings can be made via the Portal.
Below is a list of subjects with SACs and Outcomes scheduled over the coming weeks. Please note that subject teachers will communicate with your daughter regarding the specific date their SAC or Outcome will run.
Term 3 Week 6
Year 12 SACs
- Chemistry
- Visual Communication
- Health
Year 11 Outcomes
- Physics
- Specialist Maths
- Maths Methods
- Legal Studies
- Literature
- Philosophy
- Japanese
Term 3 Week 7
Year 12 SACs
- French
- Chinese SL
- Chinese SLA
- EAL
- Japanese
Year 11 Outcomes
- Chemistry
- Accounting
- Geography
- Philosophy
- Chinese
- French
- Health
- Media
Years 11 and 12 parents are encouraged to attend the Girls Talk seminar with Andrew Fuller on building resilience.
Girls Talk Seminar Series
Building Resilience
ELC to Year 12 parents are invited to attend the St Catherine’s School Girls Talk Seminar. As part of the Raising Confident, Courageous Girls Parent Seminar series, psychologist and author Andrew Fuller will deliver a presentation on strategies to develop:
- a resilient mindset in your child or teen
- happy, confident and empowered young people
- friendship skills
- self-esteem and dealing with set backs.
Mrs Melissa Braddy, Head of Year 11 and Ms Lilly Dusting, Head of Year 12
Dates to Diarise in Term 3
- University / TAFE Open Days 2018 – throughout August
- Year 12 VTAC applications – throughout August and September
News from the University of Melbourne
- Guaranteed Entry Scheme
The University offers four types of guaranteed entry pathways to its professional entry graduate courses. For each pathway, students must enrol in an undergraduate degree at the University of Melbourne to be eligible. A guaranteed entry is available for most graduate degrees, depending on the ATAR a student achieves:
ATAR of 99.90+ Melbourne Chancellor’s Scholarship |
A Guaranteed Commonwealth Supported Place in one of the professional master degrees for students who meet the prerequisite course and entry requirements for the master degree. Visit Melbourne Chancellor’s Scholarship to find out more specific details about the exact value of the scholarship for domestic and International students. |
ATAR of 96.00 – 99.85 |
Domestic students will be guaranteed a CSP place in a professional entry masters (coursework) degree from a select list, if they satisfy the course prerequisites. In most cases they need to achieve a particular weighted average mark (GPA) in their undergraduate degree as well. International students will be guaranteed an international fee place in a professional entry masters (coursework) degree from a select list, if they satisfy the course prerequisites. In most cases they need to achieve a particular weighted average mark (GPA) in their undergraduate degree as well. Visit Courses for ATARs above 96 to find out which courses apply and the exact GPA required. |
ATAR above 94.00 | A guaranteed Australian fee or international fee place into one of a limited list of graduate programs for students who commence and complete an undergraduate course at the University of Melbourne with a GPA of 75%, and meet the prerequisites for the graduate degree. Visit Courses for ATARs above 94 to find out which courses apply. |
No ATAR |
These guaranteed entry pathways into limited graduate courses are based on academic performance in a current University of Melbourne undergraduate degree and are not subject to any ATAR requirement. Eligibility will also be based on meeting the prerequisites for the graduate degree. Visit Course Guarantees without an ATAR to find out more. |
Find out more at Guaranteed Entry to Graduate Degrees
Browse Frequently Asked Questions about the Guarantee to Graduate Degrees
- Access Melbourne
Access Melbourne is special entry and access scheme offered by the University of Melbourne to domestic students. By applying through Access Melbourne, students can be assured that any circumstances that have affected their education will be considered when the university assesses their Year 12 results. Access Melbourne can assist eligible students to enter a course even if their ATAR is below the lowest selection ranked ATAR and to also be considered for a scholarship.
Year 12 students can apply using one or more of the following categories:
- Disadvantaged financial background
- Applicants from rural or isolated area
- Under-represented school
- Difficult circumstances
- Disability or medical condition
- Non-English-speaking background
- Recognition as an Indigenous Australian
Access Melbourne categories that provide a guaranteed entry are:
- ATAR of 78.00 for a place in Design or Science
- ATAR of 80.00 for a place a place in Arts
- ATAR of 88.00 for a place a place in Commerce
- ATAR of 92.00 for a place a place in Biomedicine
The University now also offers guarantees for Indigenous students who meet course prerequisites and apply with an ATAR of:
- 50.00 Arts (Extended)
- 55.00 Science (Extended)*
- 70.00 Design
- 75.00 Science
- 75.00 Arts
- 83.00 Commerce
- 85.00 Biomedicine
*Applicants for guaranteed entry to the Bachelor of Science (Extended) also require a passing score in a Year 12 Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, or Physics subject.
Visit Access Melbourne to find out more about Access Melbourne. A SEAS application must be made through VTAC by 5.00pm on Friday 12 October 2018. There is no separate application for a Melbourne Undergraduate Access Scholarship; students are automatically considered for these scholarships by applying through the SEAS process via VTAC.
Even if a student’s ATAR falls below these levels, they may still be considered for a place. To apply for the Access Melbourne scheme, students must make use of the Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS) application on the VTAC website. There are also several Melbourne Access scholarships available through the University’s scholarships program, so students are encouraged to browse Melbourne Access Scholarships .
- Graduate Degree Packages for 2019
From 2019, high-achieving students who have a definite idea about their career direction and who obtain the required ATAR will be able to enrol upfront for both their bachelors and graduate degrees. Graduate Degree Packages will be offered for certain popular undergraduate and postgraduate combinations. In some cases, students will be guaranteed a place in their graduate degree if they pass their undergraduate degree; in other cases, there will be further hurdle requirements, such as a minimum WAM (weighted average mark).
- VCE Music Workshop in Preparation for Auditions
This free all-day workshop on Sunday 26th August is designed for Melbourne’s outstanding young string, wind, brass, and percussion players. Dedicated to helping VCE musicians prepare for their upcoming tertiary auditions, the day will comprise group warm-ups, instrument-specific masterclasses taken by the Conservatorium’s performance staff, a “behind-the-scenes” session on what an audition panel looks and listens for, tips on how to deliver your peak performance under pressure, and an exploration of the many different forms a modern career in music can take. Selected students will be invited to perform in their instrument’s masterclass with a Conservatorium accompanist.
Find out more, or register at VCE Music Workshop in Preparation for Auditions
- Girls Guide to Great Careers in STEM
The University of Melbourne in partnership with GradAustralia are excited to announce the first ever edition of The Girls Guide to a Great Career in STEM. The guide was developed as a resource to help Year 10 female high school students explore the endless opportunities they could have if they go on to study a STEM degree at university.
Go to Girls Guide to Great Careers in STEM to learn more.
Monash Entry Schemes
At Monash, we know that a student’s ATAR might not accurately reflect their ability. Life can be a bumpy road, and there are all sorts of circumstances that can get in the way of a student’s academic achievement.
We operate two schemes – the Monash Guarantee and the Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS) – that can help students enter their preferred course, even if their ATAR is below the lowest selection rank.
By having two schemes, Monash wants to create a level playing field for everyone who aspires to an exceptional education. By operating both schemes, Monash can also help as many students as possible reach their full potential.
Students do not have to choose between the two schemes – depending on their situation and background, they could be eligible for one or both.
1.The Monash Guarantee
The Monash Guarantee can get a student into a Monash course even if they do not reach the course’s lowest selection rank. Students could be eligible for the Monash Guarantee if they:
- have experienced financial disadvantage
- live in a low socio-economic area
- are an Indigenous Australian
- attend a Monash list under-represented school
So, every Monash undergraduate degree has a Monash Guarantee ATAR, which is lower than the expected selection rank for that course. For most courses, if a student meets the eligibility criteria, achieves the Monash Guarantee ATAR (starting at 70.00), and completes all course prerequisites, they will be eligible for a place at Monash. To be considered for the Monash Guarantee, Year 12 students must submit a VTAC course application, complete a Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS) application including any required documentation, and complete a VTAC Scholarship application.
Find out more at The Monash Guarantee.
2. Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS)
SEAS adjusts students’ ATAR in recognition of circumstances that may have affected their education. This gives students a better chance of getting an offer for the course they want.
Find out more at Monash SEAS
ANU Roadshow – Melbourne
Students applying to ANU are encouraged to register to attend the ANU Roadshow – Melbourne taking place early September where the dynamic Professor Marnie Hughes-Warrington Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) will be presenting.
2018 Study Overseas Expo
Meet international admission staff and talk with alumni from a variety of institutions including: Edinburgh, UCL, St Andrews and Durham Universities; Harvard, Cornell, Northeastern, Transylvania, and Boston Universities; Temple University Japan, Yale -NUS, SCAD Hong Kong and ESCP Europe.
Years 9 – 11 students and their families are invited to attend.
The event is supported by representatives from EducationUSA, the British Council and the Canadian High Commission.
Date: Monday 27 August 2018
Time: 5.00pm – 7.30pm
Location: Wadhurst Hall which is located at The Melbourne Grammar
School (Middle School campus)
Address: 1 Domain Road, Melbourne, Victoria
In addition to the Expo, the evening will offer a series of Information Sessions delivered by international admission staff.
5:30pm – 6:00pm
Asia Pacific
6:00pm – 6:30pm
North America
6:45pm – 7:15pm
UK and Europe
Teaching Degrees – Early Childhood
Unless otherwise indicated* Early Childhood teaching degrees all have the same VCE prerequisites: Units 1 and 2: satisfactory completion in two units (any study combination) of General Mathematics or Maths: Mathematical Methods or Units 3 and 4: any Mathematics; and a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or at least 25 in English other than EAL. Unless otherwise stated, these degrees are also 4-year degrees. Students are also to take note that they may be required to sit the CASPer as part of their selection into a teaching course, attain an ATAR of 70, and may also be required to undertake the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education prior to graduating.
For a comprehensive list of all teaching courses, campuses they are offered at, their exact prerequisites, their majors, and other double degrees they might be linked to, visit VTAC.
INSTITUTION | COURSE | 2019 REQUIREMENTS |
ACU | Early Childhood Education (Birth to Five Years) | ATAR |
Education (Early Childhood and Primary) | ATAR CASPer or ACU Teacher Selector Statement |
|
CHARLES STURT | Education (Early Childhood and Primary) * | ATAR |
DEAKIN | Education (Early Years) * | ATAR CASPer |
FEDERATION | Education (Early Childhood and Primary) | ATAR CASPer |
HOLMESGLEN | Early Childhood Teaching | ATAR Interview |
LA TROBE | Early Childhood and Primary Education | ATAR CASPer |
MONASH | Education (Honours) (Early Years and Primary) | ATAR CASPer |
RMIT | Education (Primary and Early Childhood Education) * | ATAR CASPer |
SWINBURNE | Education (Early Childhood) * | ATAR CASPer |
Unless otherwise indicated* primary teaching degrees all have the same VCE prerequisites: Units 1 and 2: satisfactory completion in two units (any study combination) of General Mathematics or Maths: Mathematical Methods or Units 3 and 4: any Mathematics; and a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or at least 25 in English other than EAL. Unless otherwise stated, these degrees are also 4-year degrees. Students are also to take note that they may be required to sit the CASPer as part of their selection into a teaching course, attain an ATAR of 70, and may also be required to undertake the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education prior to graduating.
Visit VTAC for a comprehensive list of all teaching courses and the exact prerequisites for entry.
INSTITUTION | COURSE | REQUIREMENTS | |
ACU |
Teaching/Arts (Humanities) |
ATAR CASPer or ACU Teacher Selector Statement |
|
Teaching/Arts (Mathematics) * |
ATAR CASPer or ACU Teacher Selector Statement |
||
Teaching/Arts (Visual Arts) * |
ATAR CASPer or ACU Teacher Selector Statement |
||
Teaching/Exercise Science * (Ballarat Campus) |
ATAR CASPer or ACU Teacher Selector Statement |
||
CHARLES STURT | Education (K-12) * | ATAR | |
Outdoor Education * | ATAR | ||
DEAKIN | Health and Physical Education * |
ATAR CASPer |
|
Arts/Master of Teaching (Secondary) * |
ATAR CASPer |
||
Science/Master of Teaching (Secondary) * |
ATAR CASPer |
||
FEDERATION | Health and Physical Education * |
ATAR CASPer |
|
|
ATAR CASPer |
||
Community and Human Services/Education |
ATAR CASPer |
||
Mathematical Sciences/Education * |
ATAR CASPer |
||
Science/Education * |
ATAR CASPer |
||
LA TROBE | Education (Secondary) | ATAR CASPer |
|
Technology Education | ATAR CASPer |
||
MONASH | Education (Honours) (Primary and Secondary) | ATAR CASPer |
|
Education (Honours) (Primary and Secondary Health & PE) | ATAR CASPer |
||
Education (Honours) (Primary and Secondary Inclusive Ed) | ATAR CASPer |
||
Education (Honours) (Secondary) | ATAR CASPer |
||
Education (Honours) (Secondary Health & PE) | ATAR CASPer |
||
Education (Honours) (Secondary)/Arts | ATAR CASPer |
||
Education (Honours) (Secondary)/Science * | ATAR CASPer |
||
Education (Honours) (Secondary)/Fine Art | ATAR CASPer |
||
Education (Honours) (Secondary)/Music * | ATAR CASPer Supplementary Form Audition |
||
|
Education (Secondary) * | ATAR CASPer |
|
Education (Secondary)/Arts * | ATAR CASPer |
||
Education (Secondary)/Science * | ATAR CASPer |
||
VIC UNI | Education (P – 12) | ATAR CASPer |
|
Open Days 2018
INSTITUTION | DATE | TIME | CONTACT DETAILS |
Australian Catholic University Melbourne Campus Ballarat Campus |
Sun 12 August Sun 26 August |
10am – 3pm 10am – 2pm |
1300 ASK ACU Email: opendayvic@acu.edu.au |
Australian College of Applied Psychology | Sun 12 August |
10am – 2pm |
1800 061 199 http://www.acap.edu.au/ |
Australian National University | Sat 25 August |
9am – 4pm |
http://www.anu.edu.au/study/events/open-day |
Bond University | Sat 28 July |
2pm – 6pm |
1800 074 074 |
Box Hill Institute of TAFE Box Hill (Elgar) Campus |
Sun 26 August |
10am – 3pm |
1300 269 445 |
CQUniversity | Thur 16 August |
5pm – 8pm |
https://www.cqu.edu.au/calendar/event-items/open-day/melbourne-open-day?SQ_CALENDAR_DATE=2018-08-16 |
Deakin University & Deakin College Warrnambool Campus Geelong Campus (Waurn Ponds & Waterfront) Melbourne (Burwood) Campus |
Sun 5 August Sun 19 August Sun 26 August |
9am – 3pm 9am – 3pm 9am – 3pm |
1800 334 733 |
Federation University of Australia Mount Helen Campus; Berwick, and Gippsland |
Sun 26 August |
10am – 3pm |
1800 333 864 http://federation.edu.au/future-students/study-at-feduni/open-day |
Holmesglen Institute Open Days – all campuses |
9 August 13 September |
Various times |
1300 639 888 Online bookings are essential www.holmesglen.edu.au/opendays
|
JMC Academy | Sat 25 August |
9.30am – 4pm |
9624 2917 www.jmcacademy.edu.au |
La Trobe University & La Trobe Melbourne Shepparton Campus Melbourne (Bundoora) Campus City Campus (postgraduate) Albury-Wodonga Mildura Campus Bendigo Campus |
Fri 3 August Sun 5 August Thur 9 August Sun 12 August Wed 15 August Sun 26 August |
3pm – 7pm 10am – 4pm
10am – 2pm 3pm – 7pm 10am – 3pm |
1300 135 045 |
LCI Melbourne (Formerly Academy of Design) |
Sat 11 August | 10am – 3pm |
9676 9000 |
Melbourne Polytechnic Preston Campus |
Sun 19 August | 10am – 3pm | 9269 1200 https://www.melbournepolytechnic.edu.au/open-day/ |
Monash University Peninsula Campus Clayton & Caulfield Campuses Parkville Campus (Pharmacy Focus) |
Sat 4 August Sun 5 August Sun 19 August |
10am – 3pm 10am – 4pm 10am – 3pm |
1800 666 274 |
Photographic Studies College | Sun 5 August |
10am – 4pm |
9682 3191 https://www.psc.edu.au/ |
Navitas College of Public Safety 123 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne CBD |
Sun 12 August | 10am – 2pm |
1800 783 661 |
RMIT Bundoora Campus |
Sun 5 August |
10am – 4pm |
9925 2260 |
Swinburne University Hawthorn |
Sun 29 July | 10am – 4pm |
1300 SWINBURNE |
The Hotel School | Sun 26 August | 10am – 2pm | 1800 316 424 https://hotelschool.scu.edu.au/events/melbourne-open-day-2018/ |
Torrens University Melbourne Campus |
Sat 4 August | 12pm – 3pm |
1300 575 803 |
University of Melbourne Parkville & Southbank Campuses |
Sun 19 August | 10am – 4pm |
1800 801 662 |
University of Sydney | Sat 25 August | 9am – 4pm | http://openday.sydney.edu.au/ |
Victoria University Footscray Park campus |
Sun 19 August | 10am – 3pm |
1300 VIC UNI |
William Angliss Institute of TAFE | Sun 12 August | 10am – 3pm |
1300 ANGLISS |
Not everyone can attend every Open Day and various Institutions hold their Open Days on the same date. If you can’t attend an Open Day and you are interested in a particular institution, you may visit at other times. If you wish to speak to a particular person, it is essential to make an appointment first.
This information was correct at the time of publication. Students are encouraged to confirm times themselves.