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.
20 credits from contributing courses of study, including:
- 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
At least 12 credits must come from completed Core courses of study. Partially completed Core courses may accrue credit however 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
A maximum of 4 credits can come from Preparatory courses of study.
| Course | QCE credits per course |
|---|---|
QCAA Short Courses
| 1 |
| Certificate I qualifications | up to 3 |
| Recognised studies categorised as Preparatory | as recognised by QCAA |
Complementary courses of study
A maximum of 8 credits can come from Complementary courses of study.
| Course | QCE credits per course |
|---|---|
QCAA Short Courses
| 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.
| Literacy | Numeracy |
|---|---|
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A quick guide to the QCE system
This video provides an overview of how the QCE system works.
Download video
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.
