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Qualifications by other Providers

The International Baccalaureate (IB)

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme which is offered at some public colleges is an internationally recognised programme of study leading to the award of a Diploma or Certificate. The IB is a comprehensive two year curriculum that has external examinations. The IB is taught in over 110 countries.

All Australian universities and world universities accept the IB. The IB is a challenging and rigorous program that will extend the academically capable student. The IB program ensures a broad and balanced course of study and assists in developing a global perspective. All courses are accredited with the BSSS and the International Baccalaureate Organisation resulting in the award of both the ACT Senior Secondary Certificate and an IB Diploma upon successful completion.

The IB curriculum consists of six subject groups:

The French Baccalauréat

Narrabundah College is the only college to offer the French Baccalauréat. Students are able to study a limited number of courses taught in French by teachers supplied by the French Government. This is an extension of the French-Australian bilingual program based at Telopea Park School, and leads to examination and award of the French Baccalauréat. Enquiries should be directed to the coordinator of the French-Australian bilingual program at Telopea Park School. Fluency in French, both oral and written, is an essential prerequisite.

French Baccalauréat subjects taught at the college are also accredited for the ACT Senior Secondary Certificate.

ANU Extension

ANU Extension is the University's extension program for senior secondary students. The program offers courses in sciences, engineering, mathematics, and languages. Students who successfully undertake studies in ANU Extension can receive an early offer of entry into an ANU bachelor degree program and receive credit towards the bachelor degree for the studies successfully completed.

Completed units will also be listed on the ACT Senior Secondary Certificate and a completed program can be counted towards the ATAR.

Teaching will be done by ANU academic staff together with suitably qualified secondary teachers.

Students enrolling in the program must have a concurrent full-time enrolment at an Australian secondary school. The University welcomes applications from students who have academic potential but whose circumstances are such that they have not had the opportunity to realise fully their academic abilities. The University will work with schools to identify such students and encourage them to apply.

NOTE: The Australian National University (ANU) have advised of their decision to cease delivering the ANU Extension (ANUE) program at the end of the current contract (end of 2025).

The ANU has confirmed that there will be a year 11 intake into the program this year. Those students will be able to participate in the program in both year 11 and year 12.

Current year 12 students participating in the program will also be able to complete the program in 2024 as planned and with no change or disruption.

The ACT Government understands the importance of programs such as this for students looking to expand their learning and opportunities through early access to university courses in college. We have commenced very early discussions about what we might be able to deliver for future students, in partnership with other higher education institutions.

You can read more on the ANU website at: https://study.anu.edu.au/

External Courses

In addition to courses offered by the 'home' college, students may enrol in courses accredited or registered by the ACT Board of Senior Secondary Studies, which are run by outside institutions - other secondary colleges, evening colleges, 'specialist schools', CIT, Registered Training Organisation (RTO) or universities. Some of these courses can be used in the same way as other college courses to count towards an ACT Senior Secondary Certificate, to form tertiary entrance packages. However, if the outside course duplicates a 'home' college course in which the student is enrolled, it would normally be possible to count only the 'home' college course in calculation of an Aggregate Score.

Students may enrol in Year 11 and 12 level courses in other Australian jurisdictions and study these concurrently with other ACT courses and have them credited on their ACT Senior Secondary Certificates. If the interstate is an “ATAR eligible” course then that transferred course score could be used as part of their ACT ATAR calculations.