Useful Information for Employers
The Higher School Certificate (HSC)
- What is the Higher School Certificate?
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The Higher School Certificate is the highest educational award in New South Wales schools. It is awarded to students who have satisfactorily completed Years 11 and 12 at secondary school. To be eligible, students must meet HSC course requirements and sit for the statewide HSC examinations.
The HSC is an internationally recognised credential that provides a strong foundation for students whether they wish to pursue tertiary qualifications, vocational training or employment.
- What must students do to gain the HSC?
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To gain an HSC, students must have completed a minimum of 12 units of Preliminary courses and 10 units of HSC courses. All courses in the HSC have a unit value. Most courses are 2 units. Students must satisfactorily complete the Preliminary course (usually studied during Year 11) before they are eligible to commence the corresponding HSC course (usually studied during Year 12). English is the only compulsory subject for the HSC.
Further details regarding HSC eligibility requirements are available in the booklet "Studying for the NSW HSC". See page 5 of this document.