ACK Library website: Careers: Study explained

Study explained

Study Explained, Pathways, Glossary

STUDY EXPLAINED

SECONDARY SCHOOL QUALIFICATIONS:

VET IN SCHOOLS

VET stands for Vocational Education and Training. VET in Schools (VETiS) programs allow secondary school students to combine VCE and VCAL units with VET modules.

VCE

The VCE is awarded for the completion of secondary education in Victoria. A VCE Study is made up of units. A unit is half a year, or one semester, in length. Units 1 and 2 can be taken as single units - that is, just the Unit 1 or just the Unit 2 - but Units 3 and 4 must be taken as a sequence of two units and in the one year. To get your VCE you must satisfactorily complete at least 16 Units. You must satisfactorily complete 3 units of English or Literature including Units 3 and 4. You must also complete three sequences of Units 3 and 4 studies in addition to meeting the English requirements. These sequences can be from VCE studies and /or VCE VET programs. An ATAR is calculated by VTAC using VCE Study Scores. VTAC uses the ATAR in the process of offering university places. To get an ATAR you must complete both Units 3 and 4 of English and three other Units 3 and 4 studies, and you must also get a study score for these.

VCAL

The VCAL (Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning) is a hands-on option for students wanting to complete a senior secondary school certificate. It is an alternative to the VCE. It is not easier but different in the way it is taught. The VCAL has three levels: foundation, intermediate and senior, so students can start at the level which best meets their skills and abilities. It has four compulsory strands, 1) Literacy and Numeracy Skills, 2) Industry Specific Skills, 3) Work Related Skills and 4) Personal Development Skills. A VET or SBAT course is a compulsory component of a VCAL certificate.

TAFE QUALIFICATIONS EXPLAINED:

CERTIFICATE IThis is an entry-level qualification which can set you on a path to further study or give you basic skills which can help prepare you for employment in some industries. Some Certificate I courses are known as pre-apprenticeship courses.
CERTIFICATE IIThese courses help you to further develop skills you may have learnt in the Certificate I, at secondary school or on-the-job learning. Some industries will accept the Certificate II qualification as the minimum requirement for employment, or you could move onto further study at a higher level.
CERTIFICATE IIICertificate III courses take a more in-depth look at your study area and can follow on from the Certificate II. You will apply for Certificate III courses directly to the TAFE that you are interested in studying at.
CERTIFICATE IVThis qualification is a higher-level entry point, where you'll expand your knowledge and prepare for employment in a skills industry. If you finish your VCE, you will apply for Certificate IV courses through VTAC.
DIPLOMAA diploma qualification is regarded in many industries as ideal for supervisory roles, managing a team or applying your skills in a complex technical environment. you will develop skills in analysis, planning, theoretical knowledge and management techniques.
ADVANCED DIPLOMAThis is the highest level of qualification at the TAFE level. You will develop high-level skills in problem-solving, data analysis and industry expertise. Many Advanced Diplomas and Diploma qualifications feature guaranteed pathways into further study at University (see "Pathways", below)

OTHER TAFE COURSES EXPLAINED:

SHORT COURSESShort courses are a great way to get specific training and develop skills or in some cases gain accreditation or an industry licence. Perfect for updating current skills or starting a new hobby, short courses can cover a range of study areas like automotive, business management, fashion, from fork-lift training to learning how to become a barista! Go to the Short Courses Victoria website for more information.APPRENTICESHIPS AND TRAINEESHIPSWith a combination of on-the-job training and on-campus learning, apprenticeships and traineeships give you a way to earn while you learn skills for the job. Anyone of working age can start an apprenticeship or traineeship -you don't have to be a school leaver. For more information, speak with the Careers Staff at SKC, or call 13TAFE (13 8233).

PATHWAYS EXPLAINED:

Pathways from TAFE to University (register via your email to access the onilne 'Good University Guide')
While many students begin their university studies straight after completing year 12, there are other pathways into university courses.One of the most popular options is to meet university minimum entry requirements through gaining a TAFE qualification.
There are a number of benefits in undertaking a TAFE course prior to commencing university study. TAFE studies give you vocational training in your chosen area and provide you with practical skills directly related to the current needs of industry.
As well as increasing your chances of getting into the uni course of your choice, your TAFE qualification means you may be eligible to receive advanced standing (credit) towards your university degree. This not only reduces the length of time spent at University, it can also reduce the costs associated with university study as you only pay your student contributions on the units you undertake.
Depending on your course or work experience, you may be able to gain credit for prior learning at university for what you have already completed. This means reducing the number of units and/or time required to complete your Degree. For example, a Diploma of Professional Writing and Editing may contribute up to one year of study towards a Bachelor of Arts. A Certificate IV in Nursing may contribute the equivalent of one year of study towards a Bachelor of Nursing.
Click here for more than 60 Pathway Charts for careers through an Australian Apprenticeship.

Post-Secondary levels of study - and why they matter
Selection Officers at Universities use two main criteria to assess applications: academic achievement, and levels of study. So if you think you might like to work towards university via a TAFE pathway, it is important to consider the level of your post-secondary course.
If there's a chance you might seek credit for your TAFE studies, it's essential they're considered equivalent to a year 12 certificate. Diploma and Advanced Diploma studies fall into this category. However, Certificate I-III studies are not regarded as post-secondary training, and the level of Certificate IV courses can vary. Speak with the Careers Staff about your options for a TAFE Pathways.

GLOSSARY

ATAR The overall ranking on a scale from 0.00-99.95 that you receive, based on your Study Scores. The ATAR is used by universities and TAFE institutes to select students for their courses. It used to be called an ENTER.
ATAR CALCULATION Primary Four The four studies that are counted first in the calculation of the ATAR. The primary four aggregate is made up of the ATAR subject score in *English added to the next best three permissible ATAR subject scores. (*Includes English, English ESL, Literature or English Language), Increments An increment is 10% of any fifth and/or sixth permissible ATAR subject score that is available. Increments are added to the primary four during the calculation of the ATAR.Aggregate The total produced by adding the primary four to a maximum of two available (and permissible) increments.

EXTRA REQUIREMENTS These are requirements set for a course - in addition to the VCE - that you must satisfy to be considered for selection. Examples include Interviews, Tests, Auditions, Pre-Selection Kits, Folios.
GAT The test that is done by all students doing a VCE Units 3 and 4 sequence or scored VCE VET Units 3 and 4 sequence. It is completed in June each year.
HIGHER EDUCATION STUDIES The VCAA provides very able students the opportunity to undertake some approved Higher Education (University) study as part of the VCE. They were previously called Extension Studies. Examples include "Uni Maths". MIDDLE BAND Factors used in addition to the ATAR when an applicant's ATAR does not guarantee automatic selection or rejection for a course. Examples include performance in relevant VCE subjects or Special Consideration (SEAS - "Special Entry Access Scheme". See the VTAC website for more information)
OUTCOMES What you are expected to know and be able to do by the time you have finished a VCE Unit.
PREREQUISITIES Prerequisite studies are those VCE studies that you must have successfully completed in order to qualify for entry into a tertiary course.
SATISFACTORY COMPLETION This means you have achieved the outcomes for the Unit. You get an 'S' for the satisfactory completion of a Unit. If you do not satisfactorily complete a Units, you get an 'N' for it.
SEAS Speacial Entrance Access Scheme A speacial entry scheme for students who have been disadvantaged during their senior years. The categories of disadvange include Location, Indigenous, Financial, Disability or Medical conditions, Difficult Circumstances.
SEQUENCE The order in which you do your VCE Units, for example a Units 3 and 4 sequence.
STATEMENT OF ATTAINMENT A record of recognised learning that may contribute towards a qualification in the VET sector.
STATEMENT OF RESULTS A set of documents that formally state the results you achieved in the VCE and whether or not you have graduated.
STUDIES The subjects available in the VCE. STUDY SCORE A score with a maximum of 50 determined by the VCAA which shows how you performed in a VCE study or scored VCE VET program, relative to all other students doing that same study. It is calculated using the score achieved in each of the three graded assessments for the study (school assessment and examinations).
ATAR SUBJECT SCORE The scaled score is referred to as the ATAR subject score and contributes towards the calculation of the ATAR.
SCALING A study score provides an indication of your relative performance in a particular study. It does not provide an indication of your overall performance compared with all students across all studies. To provide an overall measure of the performance of all students across all studies VTAC adjusts the Study Score to take account of the overall VCE performance of all the students taking that study. This process is called scaling. All VCAA study scores are scaled (see the "ABC of Scaling document" on the VTAC website for more information) UNITS The parts of a study in the VCE. There are usually four units in a study, numbered 1, 2, 3 and 4. VCAA - Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority. The Victorian State Government agency responsible to the Minister for Education for the management of the VCE and VCAL.
VTAC - Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre VTAC is responsible for calculating and distributing the ATAR and for processing student applications for tertiary entrance to universities, TAFE institutes and other further education colleges.
VICTER VICTER is a publication in which institutions outline the VCE Study requirements needed for entry into their courses in two years time. This advance information is vital for Year 10 students planning a VCE curriculum and a future tertiary direction.

*This Glossary was compiled from two publications ; VTAC's "Choice - VCE Studies and the ATAR" and VCAA's "Where To Now?"