Comparing pathways

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)