About the QCE
- The QCE is Queensland's senior secondary qualification, awarded by the QCAA, usually at the end of Year 12.
- Students need 20 credits in a set pattern, including at least 12 credits from completed Core courses, plus a set standard in literacy and numeracy.
- QCAA subjects are either General subjects (mainly for tertiary pathways) or Applied subjects (mainly for vocational and work pathways); each can contribute up to 4 credits.
- Each subject has four units: Units 1 and 2 are usually studied in Year 11, and Units 3 and 4 are studied as a pair in Year 12.
- In General subjects, Units 1 and 2 results are reported as satisfactory or unsatisfactory; the final subject result comes from summative assessment in Units 3 and 4.
- General subjects have three internal assessments, marked by schools and confirmed by the QCAA, and one external assessment set and marked by the QCAA.
- The external assessment is worth 25% of the subject result in most General subjects and 50% in Mathematics and Science subjects.
- Applied subjects have no external assessment; schools make A to E judgements on four internal assessments in Units 3 and 4.
- General and Applied subject results can contribute to an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR), which is calculated by QTAC.
- The current General and Applied (Essential) syllabuses are the 2025 versions, for students completing Year 12 in 2026 or later.
English
Mathematics
Science
Humanities and social sciences
Health and physical education
Technologies
The Arts
Languages
Other states and territories
Questions teachers ask
- What is the QCE?
- The QCE is Queensland's senior secondary qualification, awarded by the QCAA, usually at the end of Year 12.
- How is the QCE structured?
- Students need 20 credits in a set pattern, including at least 12 credits from completed Core courses, plus a set standard in literacy and numeracy. QCAA subjects are either General subjects (mainly for tertiary pathways) or Applied subjects (mainly for vocational and work pathways); each can contribute up to 4 credits.
- Can Heapso plan for QCE courses?
- Yes. Choose a course and unit, and Heapso plans a unit, lessons or revision worksheets around it in Australian English. Check the official QCAA syllabus or study design for exact requirements.