Which Science Subject Should I Choose for VCE?

If you’re in Year 9 or 10 in Victoria, you’re probably starting to think about which subjects to pick for your VCE. It’s a big decision, especially when it comes to science subjects.

Your choices will shape your workload and focus during Year 11 and Year 12. But, don’t worry—we’re here to help you with some expert advice that has proven to work for our students.

Table of contents:

1. Understanding VCE science subjects
2. How to choose your science subject for VCE
3. Expert tips for making your decision
4. Common questions about choosing VCE science subjects

Understanding VCE science subjects

The Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) offers a range of science subjects. 

You should choose subjects that both align with your goals and work together to fit your broader academic plans. Let’s explore the VCE science subjects and how you can maximise your success.

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Biology 

In Biology, you study living organisms, ecosystems, and processes that sustain life. You’ll cover fascinating topics such as genetics, cellular processes, ecosystems, and the human body.

• Best for: Students aiming for careers in medicine, veterinary science, or environmental research. It provides foundational knowledge for careers involving the human body or the environment.
• Key tip: If you enjoy memorisation and applying knowledge to real-world contexts, this subject will suit you. 

Chemistry

Chemistry is all about understanding the composition and properties of matter and how substances interact and change. It mixes theory with experiments to explain the physical world at a molecular level.

• Best for: If you want to be a doctor, pharmacist, biochemist, or engineer. Chemistry is a core prerequisite for many competitive university courses, including medicine, dentistry, and various science and engineering programs.
• Key tip: Chemistry is a subject that rewards problem-solving skills. If you’re aiming for a STEM career, chemistry should be on your radar.

Physics

Physics is the science of energy, motion, and the fundamental laws of the universe. Topics include mechanics, electromagnetism, waves, and quantum phenomena. Physics is great for developing strong analytical and mathematical skills.

• Best for: Students planning careers in engineering, technology, or the physical sciences. STEM fields value physics because it builds your critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
  
• Key tip: Physics is maths-heavy, so pairing it with Specialist Maths or Maths Methods is ideal if you’re targeting technical fields.

Psychology

Psychology delves into the human mind and behaviour. It explores topics such as memory, personality, mental health, and the brain’s functions. This subject is more writing-intensive than other sciences and appeals to students interested in people and social sciences.

• Best for: Students interested in neuroscience, counselling, education, or social sciences. Psychology isn’t always considered a “core” science for STEM pathways. But, it is very important for understanding human behaviour. 
• Key tip: Psychology pairs well with biology if you’re interested in healthcare or mental health. It’s also an excellent option for those who prefer less maths-heavy sciences.

Environmental science

Environmental science looks at the interactions between humans and the natural environment. It focuses on ecosystems, climate change, and sustainability.

• Best for: Students passionate about conservation, environmental policy, or sustainable engineering. Environmental science can be valuable for building niche expertise in climate science or environmental engineering.
• Key tip: This subject is less maths-intensive than Physics or Chemistry, but it still builds your skills in scientific problem-solving.

How to choose your science subject for VCE

1. Look at your interests and strengths

Above everything, you should choose subjects that excite you and you excel in. This makes it easier to stay motivated and engaged, even when the workload gets tough in Year 11 and 12. 

Playing to your strengths will boost your confidence and help you achieve better results.

2. Understand the impact of scaling on your ATAR

Subject scaling affects your ATAR. For example, Physics, and Chemistry often scale up because they’re considered harder. This means a good score in these subjects can give your ATAR a boost.

While scaling shouldn’t be your only reason for choosing a subject, it can help boost your ATAR when paired with strong performance.

3. Know the prerequisites for competitive courses

If you want to get into competitive university courses like medicine, engineering, or veterinary science, check the prerequisites. For example:

• Medicine: Often requires Chemistry and recommends Biology.
• Engineering: Often requires Physics and Specialist Maths.
• Biomedical science: Often requires Chemistry and recommends Biology or Physics.

Start checking university course guides now to make sure your subject choices match your goals.

4. Look at the workload for VCE subjects

Taking one or more VCE science subjects can be quite demanding, so it’s important to understand what you’re signing up for. Here’s a realistic breakdown of the workload for each subject:

​​Biology

• Content-heavy with lots of memorization of processes, structures, and systems like genetics and ecosystems.
• Workload: Regular study and practice applying concepts.
• Assessments: Short answers, extended responses, and practical investigations.

Tip: If you’re good at memorisation and applying knowledge to real-world examples, you’ll find it manageable.

Chemistry

• Combines theory and problem-solving. Topics include chemical reactions, equations, and the periodic table.
• Workload: Regular practice of equations and problem-solving is crucial. You’ll need to master calculations and concepts, which can take time.
• Assessments: Includes mathematical questions, written responses, and lab reports. Expect practical experiments to reinforce your learning.

Tip: You need consistent effort, especially if maths isn’t your strength.

Physics

• Maths-heavy, focusing on problem-solving and applying formulas to real-world situations. Topics include mechanics, energy, and electricity.
• Workload: You’ll need to spend lots of time solving problems, practising equations, and understanding abstract concepts, instead of memorising.
• Assessments: Mostly problem-solving and mathematical tasks, with some theory questions and practical investigations.

Tip: Physics is rewarding if you enjoy maths and logical thinking, but is time-intensive.

Psychology

• Less technical than other sciences and is theory-heavy. It has some statistical analysis but isn’t maths-intensive.
• Workload: Expect to read and write extensively. Regular revision is needed to retain theoretical content.
• Assessments: A mix of multiple-choice questions, short answers, and essays. Includes practical experiments and data analysis.

Tip: Psychology is ideal if you prefer less maths and enjoy analysing and explaining ideas.

Environmental Science

• Covers environmental processes and human impacts, blending Biology, Geography, and Chemistry.
• Workload: Less practical work but requires strong understanding of systems and sustainability.
• Assessments: Includes theory-based tasks, case studies, and practical work on environmental issues.

Tip: Perfect for students who enjoy real-world applications and less maths.

How combinations impact workload

If you’re taking multiple sciences, the workload will add up. Here’s what you might expect with common combinations:

1. Biology + Chemistry:
   Heavy on both content memorisation and problem-solving. Plan for regular study sessions to stay on top of theory and practice problems.
2. Physics + Chemistry:
   Maths-intensive and conceptually demanding. Expect to spend significant time-solving equations and understanding abstract theories.
3. Biology + Psychology:
   Balanced but still challenging. Both subjects involve content-heavy theory, but psychology’s writing tasks provide a break from the technical memorisation of biology.

Be realistic about how much you can handle, especially if you’re also taking tough subjects like Maths Methods or Specialist Maths. Balancing your workload is key to doing well in all your subjects.

Expert tips for making your decision

1. Take accelerated programs

Many schools allow advanced Year 10 students to take a VCE unit early. This gives you a head start and helps you explore subjects before committing fully in Year 11 and 12.

For example, try Unit 1 & 2 Biology or Psychology to see if it’s the right fit.

2. Choose subjects with overlap

If you’re taking multiple sciences, look for areas where content overlaps. For instance:

• Chemistry and Biology both cover biochemistry concepts.
• Chemistry and Physics share topics like energy and matter.

This can reduce your study load and make concepts easier to grasp.

3. Participate in extension opportunities
Take advantage of extracurriculars to build your academic profile:

• Join programs like the Australian Science Olympiads or STEM competitions.
• Explore university extension programs such as Monash Scholars or Melbourne Uni’s Extension Program to start studying university-level content in Year 12.
• Do environmental or health-related internships if you’re passionate about applying science in real-world contexts.

Common questions about choosing VCE science subjects

1. Should I take all three core sciences (Biology, Chemistry, and Physics)?
   It depends on your goals. If you’re thinking about STEM careers or aren’t sure what you want to do yet, taking multiple sciences can keep your options open. Just make sure you can handle the extra workload—taking all three can be intense.
2. Can I balance multiple high-scaling subjects?
   Yes, but you’ll need to be really organised. Plenty of students successfully juggle Physics, Chemistry, Specialist Maths, and other tough subjects by planning ahead and sticking to a study schedule. Time management is key!
3. What if I don’t know what career I want yet?
   Pick subjects that give you flexibility. Chemistry is a great all-rounder and works well with other sciences. Adding maths methods or physics is also a smart move if you think you might head into STEM fields.
4. How can I get the best ATAR with science subjects?
   Choose subjects you enjoy and are good at—your raw score will have the biggest impact on your ATAR. If you’re confident, you can pair these with high-scaling subjects like physics or specialist maths for an extra boost.
5. What can I do outside of school to support my science studies?
   Get involved in things like science clubs, STEM competitions, or volunteering for environmental or health-related projects. These activities don’t just look good on applications—they also help you explore your interests and build skills.

Want more detailed help?

Download our Year 10 Subject Selection Guide for more detailed advice, a VCE subject planner, and tips to help you get the most out of your VCE journey.

Free VCE Subject Selection Guide for Y10 Download

In-depth guide on how to choose your VCE Year 11 and 12 subjects.

Download now

Free VCE Subject Selection Guide for Y10 Download

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First Name*

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Good luck!