Higher Education Studies in the VCE: Computer Science and IT
Student Profile:
Peter Issa
Bachelor of Computer Science
"I chose RMIT as it has a reputation for providing students with better skills and employment opportunities than other universities.
“I think the industry experience will be highly rewarding, both academically and financially.
“My dream job is to be a project manager for large scale database systems."
Complete two units of first-year university subjects while completing year 12 VCE
Higher Education Studies in the VCE enables you to complete two first-year Computer Science subjects as part of the unit 3 and 4 sequence within your VCE studies.
Not only are these courses VCAA-accredited towards Year 12 VCE, but you will also receive credit for studying this course should you enrol in a computer science and IT program at RMIT in the future.
Gain free credit towards future university study
As the Higher Education Studies program is free of charge, this equates to free credit towards your future university degree. With this free credit you will not have to study these courses again at university and you won’t have to pay for them either, which saves you money towards your future degree.
Being granted credit provides the option of accelerating through a course, or of having a slightly lighter study load at some stage during the degree. Alternatively, students may decide not to receive credit directly, but instead obtain an exemption from another subject, which gives time to take additional subjects and thus gain a broader degree.
Benefits include:
- A genuine taste of university life – attend lectures and study on campus with full access to all the services and facilities enjoyed by undergraduate students.
- Work with like-minded students, whether first year undergraduates or fellow Year 12 Higher Education Studies Program students, in an independent learning environment.
- Follow your passion by exploring IT in greater depth and at a more advanced level.
- Boost your ATAR score and gain credit towards RMIT computer science and IT degrees.
- Full access to RMIT student services, such as the library, computers, a University email account, and support from teaching and learning advisors.
- Save money and time with free credit towards your future RMIT computer science and IT degree.
- Prizes awarded for the best students at the School awards ceremony.
What you’ll study
For Higher Education Studies in the VCE, you study two first-year courses as part of the units 3 and 4 sequence in VCE. These courses are:
Students who successfully complete Programming and Web Programming, as part of the Higher Education Studies Program, will be granted credit for that study should they subsequently enrol in one of the following undergraduate programs:
- Bachelor of Computer Science, including the four year options – Database Systems and Network Computing
- Bachelor of Software Engineering
- Bachelor of Information Technology
- Bachelor of Technology (Computing Studies)
- Bachelor of Information Technology (Games and Graphics Programming)
Sample timetable
Semester 1(unit 3) - Programming
|
Day |
Time |
Activity |
|---|---|---|
|
Wednesday |
1.30pm - 5.30pm |
2 hour lecture 2 hour tutorial |
|
Friday |
1.30pm - 4.30pm |
1 hour lecture 2 hour lab |
|
Friday |
4.45pm - 5.45pm |
Programming Club (optional) |
Semester 2 (unit 4) – Web Programming
|
Day |
Time |
Activity |
|---|---|---|
|
Wednesday |
2.30pm - 5.30pm |
1 hour lecture 1 hour tutorial |
|
Friday |
2.30pm - 4.30pm |
1 hour lecture 1 hour lab |
|
Friday |
4.45pm - 5.45pm |
Programming Club (optional) |
How to apply
To apply to undertake Higher Education Studies in the VCE with the School of Computer Science and IT you must download and complete the application form (PDF 240KB 4p).
Eligibility
Students must be completing Year 12 VCE studies and must be enrolled in unit 3 and 4 Mathematical Methods concurrently.
Acceptance into this program will require above average results from Year 11 and a recommendation from the Year 11 coordinator and the school principal.
Parental/guardian permission will also be required.
Join RMIT Programming Club – learn the skills and enter international competition
Join RMIT’s Programming Club, where students can interact and learn from each other by solving various programming problems. Members of the club can enter the Association of Computing Machinery International Collegiate Programming Contest (ACM-ICPC) – a major programming competition for universities around the world.
Find out more about the RMIT Programming Club.
More information and contacts
Please contact Adriana Del Mastro, School Manager, on 9925 9671 or adriana.delmastro@rmit.edu.au.
For more information on Higher Education Studies in the VCE, visit the VCAA website.