What is a QCE and who is eligible to get it?

QCE stands for the Queensland Certificate of Education. This certificate is awarded to students who have completed a sufficient amount of learning during their high school years, typically at the end of Year 12. The certificate is issued by the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority.

Obtaining a QCE 

In order to obtain a QCE, a student must complete a set amount of learning worth a minimum of 20 credits. The students need to complete the set amount of learning, at the set standard, in a set pattern, while meeting literacy and numeracy requirements which you can see here. These credit can be obtained from a combination of subjects, TAFE courses, or other recognised studies. 

Because students are required to obtain 12 QCE credits from a core course of study, it is essential that students have at least three subjects that remain unchanged through the course of Year 11 & 12. 

It is important to note that the QCE is different from having an ATAR score. Having a QCE can help high school graduates improve their job prospects, but a student also needs an ATAR in order to gain tertiary entrance. 

Obtaining a QCE as an Adult

You can complete your senior education and gain a QCE in a variety of different ways including through:

• TAFE
• Distance education
• Education Queensland Centres
• Sitting Senior External Examination
  Some high school programs