As Friends' School students consider their options for Years 11 and 12, one of the first and most important decisions they will need to make is whether to study for the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) or for the Tasmanian Certificate of Education (TCE). Either is suitable for entry to a University in Tasmania, on the mainland, or overseas.

Each of these programs has its own particular features and strengths. Students will need to weigh up these relative strengths, particularly in relation to their own abilities, interests and aspirations for the future. Only after considering what seems to be best for them should they make their choice. We advise that students should not just think about this choice on their own, but also talk to their parents and relations, teachers, tutor, senior staff at the school, friends, older students, or anyone else who might be able to give them sound advice and help them to sort out their thoughts.

For students undecided between the IB and the TCE, it is now possible to keep their options open by completing courses in Year 11 that will lead to either IB or TCE qualifications in Year 12.

One of the most important differences to note is that, while the IB is primarily a university entrance qualification, the TCE is appropriate both for university entrance and for many other purposes. An IB Diploma will satisfy university entrance requirements (although getting into a specific course may require gaining a certain overall score, and/or gaining particular scores in specified subjects). It is possible to not qualify for the Diploma: in this case an IB Certificate will be issued showing what scores were gained in which subjects. It is still possible to get a place in university, depending on the details of those scores and subjects.

Having a TCE does not mean one has met university entrance requirements. All students who study any TCE subjects gain a TCE. For university entrance, the universities require passes in certain types of TCE subjects, and specific university courses have further requirements.

Students who are not particularly interested in going to a university or other tertiary institution most likely ought to do the TCE (there are a few exceptions), and consider including a Vocational Education and Training (VET) course.

For university entrance, students can choose to do either the TCE or the IB. The table below compares and contrasts the two programs as university entrance qualifications. More details are available on the IB curriculum and IB/TCE Preparatory Pathway pages.

International Baccalaureate Diploma	Tasmanian Certificate of Education
Designed for an international clientele and hence some courses have more international content.	Designed for a Tasmanian clientele and hence some courses have more Australian or Tasmanian content.
Everyone does English, a second language, a Humanities subject, a Science subject, a Mathematical subject, ensuring that you keep your options open. However, fewer choices in each area are offered.	Very open as to which courses can be chosen. It is quite possible to specialise narrowly. You must choose courses carefully to keep your options open. A wide range of TCE subjects is offered, although not all may be available at Friends'.
Requires the study of at least three subjects at Higher Level (240 hours), and three others at Standard Level (150 hours). All parts of the IB count towards university entrance, not just your academic courses.	University entrance requires successful study of at least four (but usually more) pre-tertiary C (150 hour) subjects, completing both Year 11 and 12. Non pre-tertiary courses may be studied but won't count towards university entrance.
IB courses are studied for two years, with external exams only at the end of Year 12 (although it is sometimes possible to take exams in one or two Standard Level subjects a year early).	TCE courses are all one year courses, with exams at the end of each year. There are restrictions on how many subjects from Year 11 can count towards university entrance.
External exams count for approx. 70% of the final result in most subjects. Internal assessment usually involves a few larger tasks.	Higher awards require a good exam performance, while internal assessment is continuous, based on many tasks.
Requires good work habits and reasonable reading and essay writing skills. Students who have these, and the potential for a TCE score over 50, should be able to gain an IB Diploma.	Requires good work habits to get a good university entrance score, but with appropriate subject choice, is also suited to students with lesser academic abilities.
Requires students to be involved in a variety of co-curricular activities through the CAS program.	Though students need not be involved in co-curricular activities, this is encouraged at Friends' and may lead to a Clemes Service Award or a Clemes Certificate.
Requires all students to study Theory of Knowledge and to write an Extended Essay (4000 words of individual research).	No other academic requirements beyond the particular subjects chosen.
Must be studied as a package - cannot be combined with other courses from outside the IB. However, see the IB/TCE Preparatory Pathway information.	Can be combined with Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses.
An IB levy (spread out across the two years) is paid in addition to normal Friends' fees.	No general levy on top of normal Friends' fees, although particular subjects may attract a levy.
Well recognised by universities around Australia and the world, including the University of Tasmania. Some universities offer specific IB scholarships. The IB score is converted to a TCE equivalent score for use in entrance and scholarship decisions.	Accepted by all Australian Universities, and will be accepted by most international universities, although they may require information to familiarise them with the TCE. Better known to Tasmanian employers.

For further Information Contact the IB Coordinator, Tim Sprod on (+613) 6210 2288 or email to: tsprod@friends.tas.edu.au