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Not sure how you should choose subjects for Year 11? Read this guide for a simple process to help you make the right decision.
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Choosing what to study is a challenging but important decision to make. Many students find it overwhelming and it can be hard to find good advice. In this post, we break down the best way to approach subject selection for Year 10.
Year 10 students should consider these questions when selecting their Year 11 subjects.
Entry into university courses requires an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR). The ATAR is a rank that allows us to compare all students’ academic performance in their HSC courses. It is a number between 0.00 and 99.95 with increments of 0.05. Universities use this to assess candidates’ suitability for different courses.
Read more: All About ATAR and Scaling
Listed below are the minimum ATAR results needed for domestic applicants for acceptance into some popular and sought after university courses in 2021. For each course, we’ve also included the assumed knowledge. Students who do not satisfy the assumed knowledge requirements may need to undertake a bridging course prior to the commencement of their degree.
| Course Name | 2021 ATAR Cut Off | Assumed Knowledge | Recommended Subjects |
| Actuarial Studies | 91.35 | Mathematics Extension 1 | English Advanced, Mathematics Extension 2 |
| Architectural Studies | 84.7 | None | English Advanced, Ancient History, Modern History, Design and Technology, Visual Arts |
| Commerce | 81.05 | Mathematics Adv | English Advanced, Mathematics Extension 1 |
| Aerospace Engineering | 81.55 | Mathematics Extension 1, Physics | Chemistry, Engineering Studies, Mathematics Extension 2, Information Processes and Technology, Software Design and Development |
| Electrical Engineering | 81.55 | Mathematics Extension 1, Physics | Mathematics Extension 2, Chemistry, Biology, Engineering Studies, Software Design and Development, Information Processes and Technology |
| International Studies/Law | 86.05 | None | None |
| Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine | 97.20 (local) 91.65 (rural) | English Standard (Band 4) | Chemistry |
| Course Name | 2021 ATAR Cut Off | Assumed Knowledge | Recommended Subjects |
| Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Advanced Studies | 84.50 | Mathematics Adv or higher | None |
| Bachelor of Advanced Computing | 85.65 | Mathematics Extension 1 | None |
| Medical Science | 80.00 | Mathematics Ext 1, Chemistry plus Biology or Physics. | None |
| Oral Health | 81.80 | Biology and/or Chemistry | None |
| Pharmacy | 81.9 | Chemistry | Biology, Physics |
| Veterinary Biology/Doctor of Veterinary Medicine | 92.1 | Mathematics Adv and Chemistry | Biology, Physics |
| Course Name | 2021 ATAR Cut Off | Assumed Knowledge | Recommended Subjects |
| Actuarial Studies | 92.00 | Mathematics Extension 1 (Band E4) | Mathematics Extension 2 |
| Marketing and Media | 83.00 | Mathematics Std 2 | Mathematics Adv |
| Arts – Psychology/Laws | 86.00 | None | Mathematics Adv |
| Course Name | 2021 ATAR Cut Off | Assumed Knowledge | Recommended Subjects |
| Business/Laws | 86.1 | English (any 2 units), Mathematics Adv | None |
| Design in Visual Communication | 77.05 | English (any 2 units) | Visual Arts, Design and Technology, Textiles and Design |
| Design in Architecture/Creative Intelligence and Innovation | Varies between courses 69.85 (lowest) 90.85 (highest) | English (any 2 units), Mathematics | Visual Arts, Design and Technology, History (any 2 units) |
| Engineering (Hons) Civil, Diploma in Engineering Practice | Varies between courses 74.10 (lowest) 82.50 (highest) | English Standard, Mathematics Extension 1, Physics | English Advanced |
* ATAR + additional selection criteria
During Years 9 & 10, English, Maths and Science were mandatory subjects. Students may have taken other subjects such as History, Geography and Languages in Year 9 or 10. This was designed to help Year 10 students discover their strengths and weaknesses in various subjects.
Asking your teacher for their opinion on your strengths in various subjects may be one of the most accurate ways of determining which subjects you should study further in Year 11.
For example, if you are struggling in Year 10 Maths Advanced (Stage 5.3), then you may be advised to consider Year 11 Maths Advanced rather than Year 11 Maths Extension 1. This may be a problem if you want to study a university course with Maths Ext 1 as assumed knowledge:
Often we hear Year 10 students say ‘I don’t like science so I don’t want to study Chemistry in Year 11.’ When we talk to these students to learn more about why, it’s mainly due to their bad learning experience with their school teacher. Parents should help their children understand whether they really dislike the subject or if there are other factors involved.
Learn more about getting into university!
Our subject selection seminar will give you the knowledge to pick the subjects you need for the course you want! Learn more.
Students aspiring to study Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine at UNSW are assessed on the following criteria:
The requirements of this course are listed below.
| Criteria | Details |
| ATAR Requirement | 99+ |
| UMAT | 90th percentile or higher |
| Assumed Knowledge | English (standard). English as a Second Language (ESL) and Fundamentals of English are not considered suitable preparation |
| Recommended Studies | Chemistry |
| Past Matrix students who entered this university course studied | English Advanced Biology Chemistry Physics Mathematics Ext 1 or Ext 2 |
Source: UAC Website
Students aspiring to study Bachelor of Science (Advanced)/Doctor of Medicine at Sydney University require an ATAR of 99.95.
Requirements of this course are listed below.
| Criteria | Details |
| ATAR Requirement | 99.95 |
| Additional Selection Criteria | A written assessment and an interview |
| UMAT | N/A |
| Assumed Knowledge | Mathematics or HSC Mathematics Extension 1. All students must take some units of study in mathematics during their undergraduate degree. Other assumed knowledge depends on the areas or programs studied. From 2019, this course will require a course prerequisite of Mathematics (Band 4 or higher). The assumed knowledge will still apply. When you read Mathematics this refers to the HSC course titled Mathematics, not Mathematics General 2. |
| Recommended Studies | Biology, Chemistry, Physics |
| Past Matrix students who entered this university course studied | English Advanced Biology Chemistry Physics Mathematics Ext 1 or Ext 2 |
Source: UAC Website
Read more:
Requirements of Bachelor of Combined Law at Sydney University are listed below.
| Criteria | Details |
| ATAR Cut-off (2017) | 99.50 |
| Assumed Knowledge | Mathematics Band 4 or higher |
| Recommended Studies | None |
| Past Matrix students subject combination with entry into Bachelor of Medical studies/Doctor of Medicine | English Advanced Economics Chemistry Physics Mathematics Ext 1 or Ext 2 |
Source: UAC Website
Requirements of Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Law at UNSW Australia are listed below.
Students in 2021 required a minimum LAT score of 92.9
| Criteria | Details |
| ATAR Cut-off (2017) | 99.70 |
| Assumed Knowledge | Mathematics |
| Recommended Studies | English Advanced, HSC Mathematics Extension 1 |
| Past Matrix students subject combination with entry into Bachelor of Medical studies/Doctor of Medicine | English Advanced Business Studies and/or Economics Chemistry Physics Mathematics Ext 1 |
Source: UAC Website
To learn more about how to choose the right subjects for Year 11, attend a free Matrix Subject Selection Seminar for Year 10 students.
Requirements of Bachelor of Commerce at UNSW Australia are listed below.
| Criteria | Details |
| ATAR Cut-off (2017) | 96.50 |
| UMAT | 90th percentile or higher |
| Assumed Knowledge | Mathematics |
| Recommended Studies | English Advanced, HSC Mathematics Extension 1 |
| Past Matrix students subject combination with entry into Bachelor of Medical studies/Doctor of Medicine | English Advanced Business Studies and/or Economics Chemistry Physics Mathematics Ext 1 |
Source: UAC Website
Requirements of Bachelor of Commerce at University of Sydney are listed below.
| Criteria | Details |
| ATAR Cut-off (2017) | 95.00 |
| Assumed Knowledge | Mathematics. From 2019, this course will require a course prerequisite of Mathematics (Band 4 or higher). The assumed knowledge will still apply. |
| Recommended Studies | English Advanced, HSC Mathematics Extension 1 |
| Past Matrix students subject combination with entry into Bachelor of Medical studies/Doctor of Medicine | English Advanced Accounting Business Studies and/or Economics Chemistry or/and Physics Mathematics or Extension 1 or 2 |
Source: UAC Website
Written by DJ Kim
DJ is the founder of Matrix Education and has over 20 years of HSC Physics teaching experience. He is the co-author of the Matrix Science program, course materials and assessments. He is also renowned for his ATAR & Scaling seminars and development of the first ATAR Calculator.
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