Queensland Certificate of Education

The Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) is one of the pathway options for our Year 11 and 12 students, with syllabuses that are underpinned by 21st century skills. The courses have been designed to prepare our students for a changing world that encompasses innovation, entrepreneurship, lifelong learning and being a responsible global citizen.

The QCE is Queensland's internationally recognised senior certificate of education. It is awarded to students if their course contains a significant amount of learning at a set standard of achievement and meets literacy and numeracy requirements. 

Students are the focus of the QCE system which gives them pathways that respond to the dynamic world of work and learning and provides them with the skills they need to succeed in a range of post-school pathways. Our subjects are taught by experienced educators that are experts in their fields and passionate about working with our students to achieve their personal best. 

With the QCE, students have the option of selecting a wide range of subjects, with all General Senior Subjects including an external examination alongside internal assessment.  Somerset College currently offers 30 General Subjects from which students choose six. This gives students a range of learning options to suit their interests and career goals.

 At the completion of Year 12, students may also receive an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR), which is used for the purposes of university entrance. This score is calculated by the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) and is based on their scaled results in their best five Senior Subjects.