Choosing IB or VCE

Victorian Certificate of Education / VCE

The VCE caters to students of all abilities and interests and provides a suitable pathway for direct entry into the workforce or further study at universities, TAFE Colleges or private institutions. The course provides for a wide range of possibilities from narrow specialisation to a broad general education. Those who wish to concentrate their study on areas of interest such as the Arts, Sciences, Mathematics or Humanities subjects, may do so.

VCE – With a Vocational Focus

Students who are looking to move into apprenticeships, traineeships, further education and training via non-ATAR pathways, or directly into the workforce can undertake VET qualifications that also contribute to the requirements of VCE. This allows students to finish school with both their VCE and industry certification.

GGS currently provides VET Certificate III subjects in Sport and Recreation, Music Industry (Performance), Music Industry (Sound Production). and VCE/VET Furnishing Certificate II.  Students may also choose to undertake VET Certificates through external providers which contribute Units to completion of VCE, but not a study score towards an ATAR.

These take place typically on a Wednesday afternoon. Students undertaking this option in 2024 will have their timetables arranged so that they do not miss other academic classes while attending VET and undertake a range of work-related and personal development skills development programs throughout the year in the timetabled periods where the VET subject sits on other days.

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme / IBDP

The IBDP is an international curriculum designed to cater for students who wish to prepare themselves for further study at a university. The programme requires students to work effectively across a broad cross-section of subjects and does not allow for the same specialisation as VCE. Of the six subjects studied, three must be taken at the Higher Level which is more advanced than the corresponding VCE subject (in Year 12).