About the QCE

The Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) is Queensland's senior secondary schooling qualification. It is internationally recognised and provides evidence of senior schooling achievements.

What you can study

The QCE lets you choose from a wide range of subjects and courses to suit your interests, further study and career goals.

In Year 10 your school will work with you and your parents/carers to plan your pathway to a QCE.

How the QCE works

To receive a QCE, you must achieve the set amount of learning, at the set standard, in a set pattern, while meeting literacy and numeracy requirements. You are also required to have a learning account and achieve at least 1 credit of Core learning while enrolled in a Queensland school.

  • satisfactory completion, grade of C or better, competency or qualification completion, pass or equivalent.

12 credits from completed Core courses of study and 8 credits from any combination of:

Core courses of study

A minimum of 12 credits must accrue from completed Core courses of study. 
Partially completed Core courses may accrue credit. However, they do not contribute to completed Core credits.

Credits accrue when the set standard is met.

Course QCE credits per course
QCAA General subjects and Applied subjects up to 4
QCAA General Extension subjects up to 2
QCAA General Senior External Examination subjects 4
Certificate II qualifications up to 4
Certificate III and IV qualifications (includes traineeships) up to 8
School-based apprenticeships up to 6
Recognised studies categorised as Core as recognised by QCAA

Preparatory courses of study

Preparatory courses of study may contribute a maximum of 4 credits to the QCE.

Course QCE credits per course
QCAA Short Courses
  • QCAA Short Course in Literacy
  • QCAA Short Course in Numeracy
1
Certificate I qualifications up to 3
Recognised studies categorised as Preparatory as recognised by QCAA

Complementary courses of study

Complementary courses of study may contribute a maximum of 8 credits to the QCE.

Course QCE credits per course
QCAA Short Courses
  • QCAA Short Course in Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Languages
  • QCAA Short Course in Career Education
1
University subjects (only eligible to contribute to a QCE when studied as part of a school program while enrolled at school) up to 4
Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas (while a student is enrolled at a school) up to 8
Recognised studies categorised as Complementary as recognised by QCAA

* Partially completed Core courses may accrue credit towards the QCE, however they do not contribute to completed Core credits.

You must meet literacy and numeracy requirements through one of the available learning options. Most students will study and pass senior English and mathematics subjects and meet the requirements that way. For other students, there are other learning options available.

To meet the literacy and numeracy requirements for the QCE, a student must achieve the set standard in one of the literacy and one of the numeracy learning options listed in the table below.

LiteracyNumeracy
  • QCAA General or Applied English subjects
  • QCAA General or Applied Mathematics subjects
  • QCAA Short Course in Literacy
  • QCAA Short Course in Numeracy
  • Senior External Examination in a QCAA English subject
  • Senior External Examination in a QCAA Mathematics subject
  • International Baccalaureate examination in approved English subjects
  • International Baccalaureate examination in approved Mathematics subjects
  • Recognised studies listed as meeting literacy requirements
  • Recognised studies listed as meeting numeracy requirements

A quick guide to the QCE system

This video provides an overview of how the QCE system works.

Working towards a Queensland Certificate of Education gives students the skills they need for the future whether they plan to do further study, learn a trade, or find a job after Year 12.

The QCE is internationally recognised and a sign of personal and academic success.

QCE students can choose from a wide range of study options: QCAA General and Applied subjects, QCAA Short Courses, vocational education and training courses, school-based apprenticeships and traineeships, and other courses like university subjects studied at school.

To receive a QCE, students must achieve the set amount of learning, at the set standard, in a set pattern, while meeting literacy and numeracy requirements.

How students are assessed in QCAA subjects depends on what they study. QCAA General subjects have three internal assessments (set and marked by schools) and one external assessment (set and marked by the QCAA). In most subjects, the external exam contributes 25% to the final subject result. In Mathematics and Science subjects it’s 50%.

QCAA Applied subjects have four internal assessments (set and marked by schools). Except Essential English and Essential Mathematics, which have three internal assessments (set and marked by schools) and one common internal assessment (set by the QCAA and marked by schools).

QCAA Short Courses have two internal assessments (set and marked by schools) while assessment in vocational education and training subjects varies depending on the certificate or course.

The QCAA has processes in place to quality assure internal and external assessment. So, students, parents, carers and schools can be confident that results are reliable and comparable across schools.

Students’ final subject results are published in their learning account in December along with their Senior Statement and QCE.

How will I be assessed?

You’ll complete a range of assessments that contribute to your results. These will vary, depending on the courses you choose.

For QCAA subjects and courses, most of your assessments will be internal assessments, which are developed and marked by schools. If you are studying QCAA General and/or General (Extension) subjects, you will also sit external assessments at the end of Year 12. These are developed and marked by the QCAA.

Assessment in VET and other courses will vary, depending on the course.

Find out what you can do to get motivated while balancing your study and home life.

When will I receive my QCE?

You will be awarded a QCE when you've met the requirements, either after you finish Year 12, or after you have left school. You can access it electronically via your learning account in the Student Portal.

You can continue to work towards your QCE for up to 7 years after finishing Year 12.

More information

Section 2.2 of the QCE and QCIA policy and procedures handbook contains more information about categories of learning and credit values.

Find out more about the Student Portal and your learning account .

Last updated 10 July 2023

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