When you think about completing Year 11 and 12, traditional high school might be the first option that comes to mind. But it is not the only option.
You can complete the Victorian Certificate of Education Vocational Major (VCE VM) (VCE0000001) at Bendigo TAFE, where learning is practical, applied and connected to the world beyond the classroom.
If you prefer learning by doing, want to explore career options or are looking for a different learning environment, studying VCE VM at TAFE could be the right next step.
VCE VM at Bendigo TAFE blends classroom learning with practical tasks, workplace experiences and personal development projects. There is less emphasis on exams and essays and more focus on building skills that feel relevant and useful.
For students who learn best when they can see how something connects to real life, that difference can matter.
Studying VCE VM at TAFE can give you opportunities to apply your learning through practical activities, community projects and workplace experiences. These experiences can help you build communication, teamwork, planning and problem-solving skills while creating something real.
At Bendigo TAFE, VCE VM students have taken part in professional media projects, interviewing community representatives, receiving commercial radio training and working with media teams to produce and promote their interviews. It is an example of applied learning moving beyond the classroom.
You do not need to know exactly what you want to do when you start VCE VM. The program helps you develop academic and practical skills while exploring pathways into apprenticeships, traineeships, further education and training, employment, or university pathways.
That is an important benefit of studying VCE VM at TAFE. You can start exploring your future while completing your senior secondary studies.
Moving from school to TAFE can introduce you to a more applied and vocational style of learning. Teachers take the time to understand individual learning needs, explain concepts in practical ways and encourage students to keep progressing.
The aim is not to make Year 11 and 12 easier. It is to make learning relevant, purposeful and connected to your strengths, interests and future options.
Choosing a different pathway does not mean working everything out on your own. Teachers can help you understand your learning and stay on track, while Bendigo TAFE support services can assist with study, wellbeing and participation.
Depending on your needs, you can access:
Learning Support for reading, writing, maths, digital skills and study strategies
Counselling Support for free and confidential support in person, online or by telephone
Welfare Support for guidance with finances, Centrelink, accommodation and emergency relief
Support is available to help you settle into TAFE, manage challenges and keep moving towards your goals.
VCE VM at Bendigo TAFE is delivered face-to-face at Bendigo City Campus and Echuca Campus. The full certificate is generally completed over two years, with Units 1 and 2 in the first year and Units 3 and 4 in the second.
From January 2026, there are no tuition fees for core VCE VM units. Materials and consumables may apply, and fees still apply for the selected VET option. Check the course page for current eligibility, fees and delivery details.
Traditional high school works well for many students. But it is not the only way to complete Year 11 and 12.
If you want more practical learning, opportunities to explore careers and a supportive TAFE environment, VCE VM at Bendigo TAFE gives you another option. You can complete your senior secondary education while building skills, confidence and a clearer understanding of what could come next.
Year 11 and 12 do not have to look the same for everyone. Find the pathway that works for you.
Take the next step
View course details, campuses, entry requirements and how to apply: Explore VCE VM at Bendigo TAFE
Explore related senior secondary and foundation programs: View English and Foundation Studies
