Education Pathways

Flexible Education Options

Alternative providers offer flexible pathways outside mainstream education, allowing students to complete qualifications in a way that suits their needs.

School Programs

    • VCE – The Victorian Certificate of Education is the traditional academic pathway for Years 11 and 12. It includes a wide range of subjects and can lead to university, TAFE, or employment after school.
      Learn more.

  • The VCE Vocational Major (VM) is a vocational and applied learning program within the VCE designed to be completed over a minimum of two years. The VCE VM will give students greater choice and flexibility to pursue their strengths and interests and develop the skills and capabilities needed to succeed in further education, work and life.

    It prepares students to move into apprenticeships, traineeships, further education and training, university (via non-ATAR pathways) or directly into the workforce.

    The purpose of the VCE VM is to provide students with the best opportunity to achieve their personal goals and aspirations in a rapidly changing world by:

    • equipping them with the skills, knowledge, values and capabilities to be active and informed citizens, lifelong learners and confident and creative individuals

    • empowering them to make informed decisions about the next stages of their lives through real-life workplace experiences.

  • The Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC) is an inclusive Year 11 and 12 certificate designed to meet the needs of students who require a more individualised and flexible program for their last two years of secondary schooling.  The certificate can be an end point in itself, with students recognised for and proud of what they have achieved. Alternatively, a student may use it as a jumping off point to one of the other learning programs, most usually when they feel confident in their learning ability.

    The VPC provides an enriched curriculum and excellent support for students to focus on developing the skills, knowledge, and qualities for success in personal, workplace, and civic life.

  • VET is an accredited course studies through TAFE or a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) either outside of school or as part of a senior school program.

    VET in schools (VETis) subjects can contribute to both VCE and VCAL senior programs.

    Many schools will offer VET subjects from year 10 onwards.

    You must be 15 or over to do VET .

    Useful Links:

  • A practical, relationship-based program offered at some schools. It supports students who learn best through doing, helping them stay connected to school by engaging in meaningful, real-world tasks in small groups.

    Learn more.

  • Opportunities to gain real-world experience in a work environment. This can help students build skills, explore career interests, and understand what’s expected in the workplace while still completing school.

    Visit the School to Work Guide for Students and Parents for more information.

  • SBATs let students start a career while still at school. They’re available in many industries and allow you to earn and learn as part of your VCE /VCEVM program. They also contribute to VCE / VCEV M credits.

    Useful Links:

  • These are personalised programs created in collaboration with the student, their family, and the school. They help tailor the learning experience to suit the student's strengths, interests, and goals, making school more relevant and engaging.

    Learn more.

School Based Apprenticeships & Traineeships (SBATs)

Get paid to learn while you’re still at school, start your career early while completing your education.

Benefits include:

  • Available across many industries

  • Earn money while completing school

  • Start your career pathway while completing secondary school

  • Can count toward VCE / VCEVM or VPC

  • Provide block credit in VCE & VCEVM

Useful links:

Starting School

About Victorian Schools
Get a clear overview of how the education system works in Victoria - from primary to secondary, and everything in between.

Learn about Vic Schools

Find My School
Easily locate your local public school using the official Victorian Government map tool.

Visit Find My School

What’s Next?

Pathways and Entry

University is just one of many ways to continue your learning journey after school. You can apply directly from Year 12, or take a different path and apply later through other qualifications or work experience. There are also many ways to enter University regardless of whether you have completed year 12, VCE or have an ATAR.

  • Finish Year 12 with VCE + ATAR?
    You can apply straight into university via VTAC.

    • Most courses need a VCE and ATAR.

    • Some may require interviews, auditions or additional tests.

    • Apply through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC).

    Apply via VTAC

  • No ATAR? No problem.
    Plenty of students enter uni through other pathways.

    • Start with a diploma or certificate.

    • Use TAFE or work experience to transition into a degree.

    • Explore foundation programs or bridging courses.

    Alternative entry courses such as bridging courses , associate diplomas and other preparation or access options.

    The following links have specific information on pathways offered in various institutions:

    ACU Pathways

    Deakin Pathways

    Federation University Pathways

    LaTrobe Pathways

    Monash Pathways

    Open Colleges

    RMIT Pathways

    Swinburne Pathways

    Torrens University Pathways

    Victoria University Pathways


    Course, Campus and credit transfer pathways and options.

    Start your course at a campus with a lower ATAR requirement, then apply to transfer to your desired campus after completing the specified number of units.

    Apply to study a course with similar subjects or major sequences, but a lower ATAR, and use this as a pathway into your ideal course.

    Find out more about how to get into uni no matter what.

    For other pathways options check the providers website and talk to the provider.

    VCEVM students: Please follow this link for a guide to University for VCEVM students.

    Pathways to University Guide

  • Pathways through TAFE into university often have the option of transferring credit from your TAFE course so that you start Uni in second year for example.

    Here each level is explained and the videos on the right of this page have some great info from various institutions.

    • Certificate 1 is a foundation level study and includes certificates such as work or vocational education.

    • Certificate 2 is often an entry or pre-vocational level.

    • Certificate 3 is the level studied for most apprenticeships.

    • Certificate 4 and Diploma are the next levels and some of these will be nested together.

    • Advanced Diplomas are offered in TAFE and also higher education institutions and dual sector providers – that is providers that are both TAFE and universities.

    • Associate Diplomas are offered by some providers as an alternative pathway to university.

    • Bachelor degrees are also called undergraduate degrees and are offered in university although many TAFEs offer bachelor degrees in partnership with University providers.

    • Beyond this level studies are called post graduate such as Honours, Masters and Doctorate or Phd.

    By taking a pathways approach you move through the levels and are often able to gain credits for the next level. Entry to each level often depends on successful completion and sometimes a grade point average (GPA) to proceed to the next.

    Box Hill TAFE pathways

    Chisholm pathways

    Holmesglen pathways

    Some institutions are Dual sector – that is they are a TAFE and a UNI  ( such as RMIT and Swinburne) you can progress easily through from Diploma to Bachelor with credits.

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