CHES is a ground-breaking centre of excellence that has been established to cultivate the potential of High-Ability and high-achieving senior secondary school students. It is a direct response to the Victorian Government’s intention that all students, regardless of their starting point, are supported to realise their full potential.
Mount Clear College students can access a range of Higher Education Studies (HES) as part of their VCE program. There are two pathways available to students: Higher Education Studies (First Year University subject) and Higher Education Studies (VCE subjects).
Higher Education Studies (HES) – First Year University subjects
What are Higher Education Studies (HES)?
Higher Education Studies (HES) are first-year university subjects that are taken as part of a student’s VCE program. They constitute about 20% of a full-time first-year university course and are an advance on a VCE Unit 3 and 4 subject, or provide the opportunity to explore new areas of interest. Each HES is equivalent in duration and workload to a VCE Unit 3 and 4 sequence. The HES outlined below are offered through CHES and delivered by our university partners. Only one HES can contribute towards satisfactory completion for the award of the VCE.
Technical details of completing a HES
Through CHES, students can apply to study a HES as part of their VCE program. Students accepted into a HES enjoy a wide range of benefits, including academic challenge from an extension subject and a contribution towards the calculation of the ATAR. Students who successfully complete a HES will have the title of the study, the year of enrolment, and the university name reported on their VCE Statement of Results.
ATAR increment
HES can only be used as a fifth or sixth subject in the calculation of the ATAR. Depending on a student’s results, completion of the HES can contribute 3 to 5 points to the ATAR aggregate. The Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) provides an ATAR increment for a HES as a fifth or sixth subject, provided that the student has:
- Satisfactorily completed four VCE Unit 3 and 4 sequences for which study scores have been calculated, including one from the English group
- Satisfactorily completed at least one VCE Unit 3 and 4 sequence in the same year as the HES
- Satisfactorily completed the full year of the HES
- Been awarded a pass result by the university
The table below outlines the points students will receive, and the equivalent VCE study score value, for completion of a HES (accurate at time of publication). For more detailed information about how the VTAC calculates the ATAR contribution, visit www.vtac.edu.au.
Earning university credits
Students who successfully complete the HES may be considered for a credit towards an undergraduate course at the university where the study was satisfactorily completed if the subjects can be taken as part of that course.
Where students apply to study an unrelated undergraduate course at the university that delivered the HES, or apply to study at another university, students may also be considered to receive credits, at the discretion of the university.
Subjects offered in 2026
| Subject | University |
|---|---|
| Aboriginal Studies and Anthropology | La Trobe University |
| Accounting | La Trobe University |
| Biological Sciences | Federation University |
| Climate Change | Monash University |
| Construction Management | Deakin University |
| Disability, Diversity and Inclusion | Deakin University |
| Educating for the Future | Victoria University |
| Health Science | La Trobe University |
| History | Monash University |
| Human Biosciences | La Trobe University |
| Information Technology | Federation University |
| Introduction to Psychology | Federation University |
| Law | La Trobe University |
| Maths and Analysis | Federation University |
| Mathematics | University of Melbourne |
| Physics | University of Melbourne |
| Politics, Philosophy and Economics | La Trobe University |
| Psychology | University of Melbourne |
| Psychological Science | Deakin University |
| Public Relations | Deakin University |
| Space Industry | Swinburne University |
| Sport Management | Deakin University |
| Sustainable Development and Innovation Ecosystems | RMIT University |
Applications close for 2026 HES programs Friday, 22 August 2025
Higher Education Studies (HES) – VCE Subjects
CHES offers select VCE subjects to government school students across Victoria, including students in metropolitan, rural, regional, and remote areas and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Through an innovative ‘hyflex’ approach to teaching and learning, students remain enrolled at their chosen government secondary school and undertake a VCE study through CHES, as a part of their overall VCE program. To accommodate as many eligible students as possible, these programs are available through a hybrid and flexible approach, with opportunities to study online, on-site at CHES or a combination of the two.
- VCE Algorithmics (Units 3 & 4)
- VCE Extended Investigation (Units 3 & 4)
- VCE English Language (Units 1 – 4)
- VCE Specialist Maths (Units 1 – 4)
For further information about the subjects can be found in the CHES curriculum handbooks and website: www.ches.vic.edu.au.
Applications close for 2026 HES programs Friday 22 August 2025 (late applications may be accepted on a case-by-case basis).
