Proposals for University Developed Board Endorsed Courses

Information on this page outlines the application process for universities who wish to offer a Loading . UDBECs extend the Higher School Certificate (HSC) curriculum to areas not covered by Loading . To offer a UDBEC, universities must submit a course proposal to NESA for endorsement.

New course proposals and requests for course renewals are made by completing and submitting an Loading .

The application closing date for UDBECs beginning in 2027 is Friday 1 May 2026.

A UDBEC Panel considers proposals and endorses them if they meet the Loading .

When developing a course proposal, universities need to remember that course:

• content must not duplicate or significantly overlap existing Board Developed Courses or Content Endorsed Courses (CECs) or VET courses. View all Loading .
• outcomes and related content must be set at an appropriate standard for high-achieving Stage 6 students.

Successful UDBEC applications are endorsed for 2 years with the possibility of an extension for another 2 years.

Once a course is endorsed, universities need to ensure they fulfil their Loading .

Endorsed courses are not renewed automatically. All universities seeking re-endorsement must submit their course proposal to NESA for appraisal.

Universities will be notified if they have a current endorsement that expires at the end of the year.

The renewal process is an opportunity for universities to:

• evaluate the course and enhance it where appropriate
• review the Loading  to ensure they continue to be met.

Courses with consistently low enrolment numbers in the previous endorsement period may not be re-endorsed.

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1. Download NESA’s application form and complete all relevant sections.
   The application form will be available here from February 2026.
2. Attach any documentation that supports the application to your submission.
3. Email the completed application form and supporting documentation to curriculum@nesa.nsw.edu.au.

The application closing date for UDBECs beginning in 2027 is Friday 1 May 2026.

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1. A clear rationale and statement of purpose for the course.

1.1. Clearly establish the benefits for HSC students who undertake the course.

1.2. Describe why the need for this course is not satisfied by current curriculum.

1.3. Provide evidence of a demand for the course.

2. Prior knowledge expected of students enrolling in the course and how the course builds on the prior knowledge.

2.1. Describe the level of knowledge, understanding and skills required to undertake the course.

3. The benefits of the course for students.

3.1. Explain the post-course opportunities for students.

3.2. Provide details of any credit granted towards subsequent first year university courses.

4. A well-organised course structure appropriate to the units of study and hours being sought.

4.1. Include the number and length of modules/units, as well as whether they are mandatory or optional.

4.2. Include the hours for each module/unit.

4.3. State the duration of the course in terms of weeks and hours per week.

4.4. Clearly describe how delivery will take place, including mode of delivery, location, cost and staffing.

5. Learning outcomes students are expected to achieve.

5.1. Provide appropriate course objectives.

5.2. List the outcomes that describe what students should be able to know, understand and do as a result of the effective teaching and learning of the course.

6. A detailed explanation of the nature of the course content.

6.1. Include sufficient detail to confirm the content is linked to the outcomes.

6.2. Include sufficient detail to confirm the content is at an appropriate level.

6.3. Ensure there is no duplication or significant overlap of content with existing Board Developed Courses, Content Endorsed Courses and VET Courses.

7. Assessment plan overview.

7.1. Include a range of assessment items to gather evidence of achievement of outcomes.

7.2. Include an appropriate number of assessment tasks.

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• Negotiating a method with the participating school(s) to select eligible students for the course. 
• Providing NESA with a list of schools with participating students as soon as enrolments for each intake have been confirmed:
  • the list of schools and their NESA school number, along with the endorsed course name and the NESA course number, should be emailed to curriculum@nesa.nsw.edu.au
  • if this is not done, then school principals will be unable to enter their students in Schools Online for HSC credentialling of the UDBEC
  • if no schools have students enrolled in a particular intake, then a nil return should still be emailed to the above address.
• Informing the relevant school principal in writing if at any time it appears that a student is at risk of receiving an ‘N’ (Non-completion) Determination for the course. Satisfactory completion of the course (in the context of the HSC) is where there is sufficient evidence that the student has:
  • followed the course developed or endorsed by NESA, and
  • applied themselves with diligence and sustained effort to the set tasks and experiences provided in the course, and
  • achieved some or all of the course outcomes.
• Reporting the final assessment of course performance directly to students according to usual university practice.
• Advising the relevant school principal(s) in writing when students have satisfactorily completed the course.

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The UDBEC Panel considers and approves course proposals. The Panel is chaired by a senior officer from NESA’s Curriculum Division (or their delegate).

Panel members include NESA curriculum officers and a representative from the university sector. NESA officers are appointed annually based on the learning areas of applications for that year.

Endorsed proposals

Decision letters will include the endorsement period and any conditions that may apply to the endorsement.

Deferred proposals

Decision letters will detail the specific criteria for deferring the proposal. Universities are invited to resubmit an amended proposal.

Declined proposals

Decision letters will detail the specific criteria for declining the proposal. Universities are invited to re-work their course proposal and potentially apply again the following year. 

Deferred course proposals need minor amendment(s) to meet endorsement requirements.

Some reasons for deferring course proposals are:

• The application had an entry error or oversight that could be simply addressed.
• Proposed hours did not add up to the total hours of endorsement being sought (60 or 120).
• Assessment plans did not clearly define the number and type of tasks, or included an inappropriate number or variety of tasks.

Once the amendment(s) are completed a deferred proposal may be resubmitted.

NESA will decline a course proposal when endorsement criteria have not been met. Declined course proposals need substantial amendment(s).

Some reasons for declining course proposals are:

• The course objectives, outcomes and/or content substantially duplicate or overlap an existing NESA course.
• Proposed course is of insufficient rigour and quality. The course outcomes were not set at an appropriate level, the content of the topics did not address the outcomes, and/or insufficient content was provided.
• Course organisation and structure are not clearly defined.
• Course content did not provide students with the knowledge, understanding and skills relevant and meaningful for students in Years 11–12.

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Call: +61 2 9367 8333

Email: curriculum@nesa.nsw.edu.au

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