Progressing from Year 10 into the senior years of schooling is an exciting time, irrespective of whether that involves moving towards the Higher School Certificate, the IB Diploma or a vocational qualification.
At a glance
| HSC | IB | VET |
| Broad-based pattern of study leading towards university matriculation in Australia and overseas, vocational pathways and work. | Broad-based pattern of study leading towards university matriculation in Australia and overseas. | Broad-based pattern of study for students who are looking to combine senior study with a pathway into work or TAFE. |
| Allows students to specialise in disciplines or ways of learning (only compulsory subject is English) | Requires students to study a broad range of academic disciplines | Allows students to study in areas that provide advanced standing or pathways into a range of vocations. |
| Assessed through internal assessments and the external HSC Examinations | Assessed through externally moderated internal assessments, an extended essay, and external IB examinations | VET subjects assessed through competency-based assessments, work placements and (in some cases) an external examination |
| Can include a vocational (VET) subject | Does not include vocational (VET) subjects | Include traditional academic HSC subjects |
| Leads to the award of the NSW Higher School Certificate | Leads to the award of the IB Diploma | Leads to the award of the NSW Higher School Certificate and nationally recognised Certificate II/III qualifications |
| Subject results provide students with an ATAR to provide access to university | Overall result (out of 45) provides students with an ATAR to provide access to university | Students may or may not receive an ATAR (depending on their specific pattern of study) |
