Types of courses
Syllabuses and their place in the curriculum
In NSW, there are more than 200 syllabuses from Kindergarten to Year 12. Together the syllabuses form our curriculum – a continuum of learning which starts before school and continues through to Year 12 and beyond.
Each key learning area (KLA) has a number of courses, some of which are mandatory and some are elective.
Types of courses
NESA supports student interest and need by providing a variety of courses.
There are 2 broad course categories:
- Board Developed courses
- Board Endorsed courses.
Board Developed courses
A Board Developed course is one that is developed by NESA. They are the most common type of course in NSW and are inclusive of Life Skills courses and VET Industry Curriculum Framework courses.
All Years 7–10 Board Developed courses include Life Skills outcomes and content. In Stage 6, there are a number of Life Skills courses across all KLAs for students to study. There are no Life Skills outcomes and content, or Life Skills courses in VET.
In Stage 6, Board Developed courses:
- count as Board Developed unit credit towards a student’s pattern of study
- have an HSC exam (except for Life Skills courses)
- can contribute towards the calculation of a student’s ATAR (except for Life Skills courses).
Board Endorsed courses
A Board Endorsed course is one that is generally developed outside of NESA. Before they can be taught in schools, NESA must endorse these courses.
In Stage 6, these courses:
- count as Board Endorsed unit credit towards a student’s pattern of study
- don’t have an HSC exam
- can’t contribute towards the calculation of a student’s ATAR.
There are 4 types:
- Content Endorsed Courses (CECs)
- School Developed Board Endorsed Courses (SDBECs)
- University Developed Board Endorsed Courses (UDBECs)
- VET Board Endorsed Courses (VET BECs).
Content Endorsed Courses (CECs)
CECs cater to the learning needs of students in specific areas of need not served by Board Developed Courses. These NESA developed courses are delivered by schools in Years 7–12.
Find Loading and Loading .
School Developed Board Endorsed Courses (SDBECs)
Schools design SDBECs when the curriculum needs of their students cannot be accommodated by Board Developed courses or other Board Endorsed courses.
More information for schools is available on our Loading .
University Developed Board Endorsed Courses (UDBECs)
UDBECs extend the HSC curriculum into areas not covered by Board Developed courses or other types of Board Endorsed courses. UDBECs allow universities to develop customised courses for high achieving students for study in Years 11–12.
More information for universities and schools is available on our Loading .
VET Board Endorsed Courses (VET BECs)
VET BECs are available in Loading (Years 9–10) and Loading (Years 11–12). These courses provide study in industry areas or qualifications that are not already available through VET Board Developed courses (Loading ). VET courses can only be delivered by registered training organisations (RTOs).
More information is available for schools on our Loading .
Equivalent and alternative courses of study
In NSW, school is compulsory for students until they complete Year 10 or turn 17, whichever comes first. For the majority of students the most appropriate study pathway is to remain at school to complete Year 10, and many continue their learning through to Year 12.
A very small number of students need a more flexible option due to exceptional circumstances.
Find out more about Loading .