Victorian Certificate of Education
Overview
Embark on a personalised vocational journey with the Victorian Certificate of Education – Vocational Major.
Immerse yourself in a dynamic learning environment led by inspiring teachers and gain hands-on experience through cutting-edge vocational training.
Our unique approach integrates Swinburne research collaborations, access to state-of-the-art learning centers, and continuous professional development for our educators.
Change of Preference Expo
Looking for your #1 VTAC preference? Explore your options and get personalised advice from course experts, based on your Year 12 results. Friday 13 December, Hawthorn campus.
Skills you’ll learn
- Confident and enterprising and able to create social impact
- Complex problem solving
- Adaptive and equipped for careers of the future
Your career opportunities
Successful completion of VCE VM will provide students with pathways through Swinburne to both Vocational and Higher Education. With a policy to keep all doors open to students with options for further study and work, the program also delivers on skills that are important for life and in the workplace, expanding students' future options to pursue further education, training and work opportunities.
Why Swinburne?
Delivers senior secondary education with break-through learning that utilises collaboration with Swinburne Research
Access to state-of the-art learning centres across the university
Offering technical, academic innovations, and fostering the professional capacity of our teachers and leadership
Course prerequisites
- Students will be required to provide a VASS statement from their prior school as part of their pre-training review
- Students must be 16 years of age by the 30th April for their year of entry.
- Left school, leaving school (under 17 students will require a state exemption to transfer to us), or be young adults returning to study up to the age of 25.
- Successful completion of year 10.
- Applicants with alternative previous education are encouraged to contact VCE-VM directly to discuss their options by email at vcevm@swin.edu.au
Swinburne Secondary Program offers a selective enrolment process aimed at understanding the whole student looking for entry to our unique VCE VM program.
Candidates must be able to:
- produce a recent school report and/or academic transcript
- be willing to undertake a supervised Literacy and Numeracy assessment
- attend an interview
English language requirements
Satisfactory completion of one of the following:
- IELTS overall band of 6.0 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0
- Swinburne’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP 5 Advanced level) with overall 65%, all skills 65% or above
- or equivalent measures available at English language requirements.
Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?
A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) can now be done at our Hawthorn campus.
Credit transfer
Credit transfer is the recognition of academic credits gained through formal study (i.e. units of competency) completed either at another institute or in another qualification. The total amount of credit will vary from individual to individual, based on the unit/s that have been successfully completed.
Recognition of prior learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is the process of transferring the skills and knowledge that you have acquired over your lifetime (irrespective of how they were obtained) against the requirements of the unit.
RPL is an assessment process that requires you to provide evidence that demonstrates how you meet the requirements of the unit/s. The amount and types of evidence you will need to provide will depend on the unit requirements.
Course structure
To be awarded the VCE VM certificate a minimum of 16 credits over the two-year period are required, this consists of:
- 3 units of 1-4 in Literacy including a 3-4 sequence
- 2 units of 1-4 in Numeracy
- 2 units 1-4 in Personal Development Skills
- 2 units of 1-4 in Work Related Skills
- 2 Industry Specific Skills Strands (180 nominal hours or more, subject to Vocational Education and Training Delivered to Secondary Students (VETDSS) modules or units of competence and/or FE modules)
Indicative nominal course hours: 2,000
Your units
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Core units | |
|
Literacy (VCE VM)
Core unit |
LT031 |
|
Literacy (VCE VM)
Core unit |
LT032 |
|
Numeracy (VCE VM)
Core unit |
NM031 |
|
Numeracy (VCE VM)
Core unit |
NM032 |
|
Personal Development Skills (VCE VM)
Core unit |
PD031 |
|
Personal Development Skills (VCE VM)
Core unit |
PD032 |
|
Work Related Skills (VCE VM)
Core unit |
WR031 |
|
Work Related Skills (VCE VM)
Core unit |
WR032 |
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Core units | |
|
Literacy (VCE VM)
Core unit |
LT033 |
|
Literacy (VCE VM)
Core unit |
LT034 |
|
Numeracy (VCE VM)
Core unit |
NM033 |
|
Numeracy (VCE VM)
Core unit |
NM034 |
|
Personal Development Skills (VCE VM)
Core unit |
PD033 |
|
Personal Development Skills (VCE VM)
Core unit |
PD034 |
|
Work Related Skills (VCE VM)
Core unit |
WR033 |
|
Work Related Skills (VCE VM)
Core unit |
WR034 |
2025 fees
Full fee* ($AUD)
$22,540
Skills first government-subsidised place* ($AUD)
$5,460
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$0.00
2025 fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$0.00
Fees are estimates only
Fees published on this page are estimates only and are subject to change depending on individual circumstances at the time of enrolment. The above fees apply for units studied in 2025 only and may change for units studied in future years. There may be additional costs related to learning material and equipment.
Fees are estimates only
The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year, based on a standard study load per year. Fees are assessed according to actual study load each semester, with variations to study load resulting in tuition fee adjustments. These fees generally include the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) and are subject to annual review. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.
Skills first government-subsidised place
This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding. To qualify for a government-subsidised place, you must meet various eligibility criteria. The course you’ve applied for must also be offering government-subsidised places. Swinburne will determine your eligibility by conducting a full assessment of your eligibility during the course application process.
Concessions rates for vocational students
If you’re enrolling in a Certificate IV-level program or below, are eligible for a government-subsidised training place and hold a valid concession card, you may be eligible for a concession of 80 per cent off the published fee of your unit(s) tuition – which means you’ll only be charged 20 per cent of the published fee.
Scholarships
Scholarship applications for 2025 are open. Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals.
Our handy guide will assist you to gather documents for your application.
When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 30 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.
Apply through an agent
Most international students use an education agent to help them through the application process. Swinburne has agents all over the world that can help you with your application to study. Search for a Swinburne representative in your country. If your country is not listed, please contact us.
Apply directly
Ready to take on a new challenge and reach your academic goals? If you already know which course you want to study and understand the entry requirements, what are you waiting for? Apply online!