Ancient History
Explore Ancient History: Features of ancient societies 40 (minimum); Historical investigation 20 (maximum). Compare the Year 11 and Year 12 course structures below.
Year 10 → Year 11 & 12 · New South Wales
HSC subject selection
Not sure which subjects you want to do? Find out what you’ll learn, how you’ll be assessed and what the work is like. Compare your options, then build a plan to discuss with your school.
Discover what HSC subjects involve, including extension options, before assembling your Preliminary and HSC patterns.
Find subjects that interest you
No idea what to choose yet? Start anywhere. Read what you’ll learn, look at the assessments, try a sample, then add subjects you want to consider.
41 subjects shown.
Interest and work-style filters are editorial discovery aids, not aptitude or workload ratings.
Biology
Explore Biology: Cells as the basis of life; Cells to systems. Compare the Year 11 and Year 12 course structures below.
Business Studies
In Year 11 Business Studies, explore Nature of business; Business management. See the learning outline, assessment information and original sample before choosing.
Chemistry
In Year 11 Chemistry, explore Properties and Structure of Matter; Introduction to Quantitative Chemistry. See the learning outline, assessment information and original sample before choosing.
Community and Family Studies
In Year 11 Community and Family Studies, explore Resource Management; Individuals and Groups. See the learning outline, assessment information and original sample before choosing.
Dance
Explore Dance: Performance; Choreography. Compare the Year 11 and Year 12 course structures below.
Design and Technology
In Year 11 Design and Technology, explore Design theory and practice, design processes and factors affecting designing; Design and production in domestic, community, industrial and commercial settings. See the …
Drama
Explore Drama: Forms and styles; Improvising and devising. Compare the Year 11 and Year 12 course structures below.
Earth and Environmental Science
In Year 11 Earth and Environmental Science, explore Earth’s Resources; Plate Tectonics. See the learning outline, assessment information and original sample before choosing.
Economics
Explore Economics: Introduction to economics; Markets. Compare the Year 11 and Year 12 course structures below.
Engineering Studies
In Year 11 Engineering Studies, explore Engineering fundamentals; Engineered products. See the learning outline, assessment information and original sample before choosing.
English Advanced
Explore English Advanced: Reading to write: Transition to English Advanced; Narratives that shape our world. Compare the Year 11 and Year 12 course structures below.
English EAL/D
Explore English EAL/D: Reading to write: Transition to English EAL/D; Texts and society. Compare the Year 11 and Year 12 course structures below.
English Extension 1
Explore English Extension 1: Texts, culture and value; Related research project (This project may be undertaken concurrently). Compare the Year 11 and Year 12 course structures below.
English Extension 2
Explore English Extension 2: Author and authority; Major work. Compare the Year 11 and Year 12 course structures below.
English Standard
Explore English Standard: Reading to write: Transition to English Standard; Contemporary possibilities. Compare the Year 11 and Year 12 course structures below.
English Studies
Explore English Studies: Reading to write: Transition to English Studies 30–40 hours; An additional 2–3 elective focus areas 20–40 hours each. Compare the Year 11 and Year 12 course structures below.
Enterprise Computing
Explore Enterprise Computing: Interactive Media and the User Experience; Networking Systems and Social Computing. Compare the Year 11 and Year 12 course structures below.
Food Technology
In Year 11 Food Technology, explore Food Availability and Selection; Food Quality. See the learning outline, assessment information and original sample before choosing.
Geography
Explore Geography: Earth’s natural systems; People, patterns and processes. Compare the Year 11 and Year 12 course structures below.
Health and Movement Science
Explore Health and Movement Science: Health for individuals and communities; The body and mind in motion. Compare the Year 11 and Year 12 course structures below.
History Extension
Explore History Extension: Constructing history Key questions Case studies 40 (minimum); History project 20 (maximum). Compare the Year 11 and Year 12 course structures below.
Hospitality
Hospitality combines the three common mandatory focus areas Hygiene, Safety, and Working with colleagues and customers with one examined stream: Food and Beverage or Kitchen Operations and Cookery. Study the co…
Industrial Technology
In Year 11 Industrial Technology, explore Industry Study; Design. See the learning outline, assessment information and original sample before choosing.
Investigating Science
In Year 11 Investigating Science, explore Cause and Effect – Observing; Cause and Effect – Inferences and Generalisations. See the learning outline, assessment information and original sample before choosing.
Legal Studies
Explore Legal Studies: Investigating the law; Disputes under the law. Compare the Year 11 and Year 12 course structures below.
Mathematics Advanced
Explore Mathematics Advanced: Functions Working with functions Graph transformations; Trigonometric functions Trigonometry and measure of angles Trigonometric identities and equations. Compare the Year 11 and Y…
Mathematics Extension 1
Explore Mathematics Extension 1: Functions Further work with functions Polynomials; Trigonometric functions Further trigonometry. Compare the Year 11 and Year 12 course structures below.
Mathematics Extension 2
Explore Mathematics Extension 2: Proof The nature of proof; Vectors Further work with vectors. Compare the Year 11 and Year 12 course structures below.
Mathematics Standard
Explore Mathematics Standard: Algebra Formulas and equations Linear relationships; Financial mathematics Earning money Managing money. Compare the Year 11 and Year 12 course structures below.
Mathematics Standard 1
Explore Mathematics Standard 1: Algebra Algebraic relationships; Financial mathematics Investment Depreciation and loans. Compare the Year 11 and Year 12 course structures below.
Mathematics Standard 2
Explore Mathematics Standard 2: Algebra Algebraic relationships; Financial mathematics Investment and loans Annuities. Compare the Year 11 and Year 12 course structures below.
Modern History
Explore Modern History: The shaping of the modern world 40 (minimum); Historical investigation 20 (maximum). Compare the Year 11 and Year 12 course structures below.
Music 1
Explore Music 1: Contexts of music; Creative practice. Compare the Year 11 and Year 12 course structures below.
Music 2
Explore Music 2: Music of Western art traditions 1; Music for drama, movement and entertainment. Compare the Year 11 and Year 12 course structures below.
Music Extension
Explore Music Extension: Interpretative practices; Major work. Compare the Year 11 and Year 12 course structures below.
Physics
Explore Physics: Fundamentals of mechanics; Waves. Compare the Year 11 and Year 12 course structures below.
Society and Culture
In Year 11 Society and Culture, explore The Social and Cultural World; Personal and Social Identity. See the learning outline, assessment information and original sample before choosing.
Software Engineering
Explore Software Engineering: Programming Fundamentals; The Object-Oriented Paradigm. Compare the Year 11 and Year 12 course structures below.
Studies of Religion II
In Year 11 Studies of Religion II, explore Nature of Religion and Beliefs; Religious Tradition Study: Buddhism. See the learning outline, assessment information and original sample before choosing.
Visual Arts
In Year 11 Visual Arts, explore Practice in artmaking; Practice in art criticism and art history. See the learning outline, assessment information and original sample before choosing.
How HSC subject selection works
Year 11 and Year 12 structure
Preliminary → HSC courses
Completing the certificate
At least 12 Preliminary units and 10 HSC units, with English and the required course/subject-area pattern.
Considering an ATAR?
Ten eligible units including two English, three courses of two units or more and four subject areas. Optional examinations matter for some courses.
What does scaling mean?
Reported HSC marks and scaled marks are different measures. Course means cannot convert your individual mark.
Scaling compares results across cohorts. It does not tell you whether you will enjoy a subject or how much effort you will need. Historical numbers are labelled by year and statistic in each subject profile.
Can I change my subjects?
Your principal needs to confirm that you can complete the required content in a changed course. School deadlines may be earlier than authority deadlines.
What if I do not know my career?
Start with subject content, sample work and your interests. Keep a few options to discuss rather than trying to predict your career now. Course prerequisites are an optional check for exact courses, institutions and entry years.
What about vocational or non-ATAR study?
An ATAR is one pathway. Ask your school about VET, apprenticeships, traineeships, certificate requirements and other tertiary entry pathways. Choose the non-ATAR option in your plan to keep certificate planning separate from ATAR checks.
NESA source
1 more sources
Common questions
What do I need to complete HSC?
At least 12 Preliminary units and 10 HSC units, with English and the required course/subject-area pattern.
NESA source
1 more sources
How does scaling work for HSC?
Reported HSC marks and scaled marks are different measures. Course means cannot convert your individual mark.
NESA source
1 more sources
Can I change my HSC subjects?
Your principal needs to confirm that you can complete the required content in a changed course. School deadlines may be earlier than authority deadlines.
NESA source
1 more sources
Find more official subjects and course versions
Subjects are worth considering whether or not we sell resources for them. NESA senior syllabuses and implementation dates. Confirm your school’s actual offerings and the implementation year.
Browse the imported official course directory (68 entries)
These source links include courses awaiting a full information profile. New and upcoming versions may appear together; do not assume a publication year is the teaching start year.
- Aboriginal Studies Life Skills — Year 11 implementation from 2028 — Life Skills; separate eligibility and assessment arrangements
- Aboriginal Studies — Year 11 implementation from 2028
- Agriculture Life Skills — Year 11 implementation from 2028 — Life Skills; separate eligibility and assessment arrangements
- Agriculture — Year 11 implementation from 2028
- Ancient History Life Skills — Year 11 implementation from 2027 — Life Skills; separate eligibility and assessment arrangements
- Ancient History — Year 11 implementation from 2027
- Biology — Year 11 implementation from 2027
- Business and Economics Life Skills — Year 11 implementation from 2028 — Life Skills; separate eligibility and assessment arrangements
- Business Studies — Year 11 implementation from 2028
- Ceramics Stage 6 (CEC) (2000)
- Chemical World Science Life Skills — Year 11 implementation from 2028 — Life Skills; separate eligibility and assessment arrangements
- Chemistry — Year 11 implementation from 2028
- Law and the Community Life Skills — Year 11 implementation from 2027 — Life Skills; separate eligibility and assessment arrangements
- Computing Applications Stage 6 (CEC) (2012)
- Computing Technology Life Skills — Life Skills; separate eligibility and assessment arrangements
- Dance Life Skills — Year 11 implementation from 2027 — Life Skills; separate eligibility and assessment arrangements
- Dance — Year 11 implementation from 2027
- Drama Life Skills — Year 11 implementation from 2027 — Life Skills; separate eligibility and assessment arrangements
- Drama — Year 11 implementation from 2027
- Earth and Environmental Science — Year 11 implementation from 2028
- Earth and Environmental Science Life Skills — Year 11 implementation from 2028 — Life Skills; separate eligibility and assessment arrangements
- Economics — Year 11 implementation from 2027
- Engineering Studies — Year 11 implementation from 2028
- English Advanced
- English EAL/D
- English Extension
- English Life Skills — Life Skills; separate eligibility and assessment arrangements
- English Standard
- English Studies
- Enterprise Computing
- Exploring Early Childhood Stage 6 (CEC) (2007)
- Geography
- Geography Life Skills — Life Skills; separate eligibility and assessment arrangements
- Health and Movement Science — Year 11 implementation from 2025
- Health and Movement Science Life Skills — Year 11 implementation from 2025 — Life Skills; separate eligibility and assessment arrangements
- History Extension
- Industrial Technology Life Skills — Year 11 implementation from 2028 — Life Skills; separate eligibility and assessment arrangements
- Graphics and Multimedia Technology Life Skills — Year 11 implementation from 2028 — Life Skills; separate eligibility and assessment arrangements
- Industrial Technology — Year 11 implementation from 2028
- Graphics and Multimedia Technology — Year 11 implementation from 2028
- Legal Studies — Year 11 implementation from 2027
- Biology Life Skills — Year 11 implementation from 2027 — Life Skills; separate eligibility and assessment arrangements
- Marine Studies Stage 6 (CEC) (2012)
- Mathematics Advanced
- Mathematics Extension 1
- Mathematics Extension 2
- Mathematics Life Skills — Life Skills; separate eligibility and assessment arrangements
- Mathematics Standard
- Modern History Life Skills — Year 11 implementation from 2027 — Life Skills; separate eligibility and assessment arrangements
- Modern History — Year 11 implementation from 2027
- Music 1 — Year 11 implementation from 2027
- Music 2 — Year 11 implementation from 2027
- Music Extension
- Music Life Skills — Year 11 implementation from 2027 — Life Skills; separate eligibility and assessment arrangements
- Numeracy Stage 6 (CEC) (2021)
- Photography, Video and Digital Imaging Stage 6 (CEC) (2000)
- Physical World Science Life Skills — Year 11 implementation from 2027 — Life Skills; separate eligibility and assessment arrangements
- Physics — Year 11 implementation from 2027
- Society and Culture Life Skills — Year 11 implementation from 2028 — Life Skills; separate eligibility and assessment arrangements
- Society and Culture — Year 11 implementation from 2028
- Software Engineering
- Sport, Lifestyle and Recreation Studies Stage 6 (CEC) (2007)
- Textiles and Design Life Skills — Year 11 implementation from 2028 — Life Skills; separate eligibility and assessment arrangements
- Textiles and Design — Year 11 implementation from 2028
- Visual Arts Life Skills — Year 11 implementation from 2028 — Life Skills; separate eligibility and assessment arrangements
- Visual Arts — Year 11 implementation from 2028
- Visual Design Stage 6 (CEC) (2000)
- Work Studies Stage 6 (CEC) (2012)
Subject information coverage
This release includes 41 subject profiles for HSC, combining existing subject guides with separately sourced official courses. It is not a school’s offering list or a claim that every accredited subject has a complete profile. Check source versions and verification notes within each profile.
See source policy, coverage and known limits. No subject is excluded because it lacks paid resources.
Check your shortlist before you enrol
- How to choose Year 11 and Year 12 subjects — Compare content, assessment, prerequisites and school availability before finalising a plan.
- University course and entry requirements finder — Compare published entry figures and open the official course sources.
- Subject selection sources and verification — Check coverage, source dates and unverified requirements.