For VCE students and families
Are you a high school student looking to approach VCE with confidence, a strong network of like-minded peers, and guidance on achieving your goals after high school? Check out how our January summer program works to help you get the strongest start on your final years of high school.
How do I apply?
Applications for VCE Summer Tutoring 2026 are now open.
What is VCE Summer Tutoring?
VCE Summer Tutoring is a two-week academic and extracurricular summer program designed to help you build strong academic foundations, study habits, peer networks and clarity on pathways after high school.
We know many students across Victoria face challenging circumstances that affect their education, personal lives and ability to access the support they need through their schooling journey. That’s why we work to make the program accessible and low-cost, to ensure every student can tackle their final years of schooling with confidence regardless of their circumstances.
If you need financial support to attend the program, don’t hesitate to let us know via email or on our application form. We have a number of bursary options available, and can work with your family to find a payment option that is accessible to you.
- 74% of our students reported a disadvantage factor affecting their education in 2025
- 100% of our students who required financial assistance received a bursary to attend our program in 2025
What Are Some of the Main Benefits?
- Holistic education: Our students do more than just sit in a classroom all day taking notes – on top of academic classes, our program is packed with daily social activities, hands-on workshops, and on-demand one-on-one tutoring.
- Low cost: As a not-for-profit, our program fee is set as low as possible and financial support is available at need to ensure all students can access our program.
- Make new friends: Experience classes and social activities with a cohort of students dedicated to learning.
- Experience university: Attend our program each day at a university campus that gives you a taste of what student life can be like beyond high school.
What are your peers saying?
VCE Summer Tutoring was the best way I could have prepared for my final year of school—it allowed me to engage with the content I would be studying, but without the same pressure as a normal classroom, and with added one-on-one support from my tutors. Coming from a low-socioeconomic background and a disadvantaged school, I felt as though this program allowed me to get ahead in ways I was never able to previously. I am extremely grateful to have been awarded a bursary so I could attend without financial concerns, especially as a disadvantaged student! The Program Directors and tutors understand our struggles, and offer so much generosity when it comes to what could be holding us back
Joey,
past student and 2025 volunteer
Moving into Year 12 I was so anxious and stressed, but VCEST allowed me to get a head start on not only knowledge but also study skills. The people were amazing and so kind, and I also made friendships and met so many people. Thanks so much for this amazing opportunity!
2024 student
As a student of the 2025 VCEST program, I found everything so helpful: the tutors were engaging and supportive and the program was just so fun in general! I made so many new friends and this entire experience meant so much to me. I can’t recommend it enough :)
2025 student
There was never an overwhelming amount of information and the interactive activities completely elevated the experience. The tutors were amazing and were genuinely passionate about the work they were teaching. 10/10 would recommend.
2024 student
I have found summer school programs to be highly beneficial in terms of the networking opportunities that are offered as it provides a framework within which to interact with other students across the state who are doing similar subjects. I remained in contact with many people I met through the program, which was useful when I was seeking help with schoolwork and even helped me stay up to date on other programs and events being held. I also met teachers who could assist me throughout my final year in a tutoring capacity as well as preparing me for the content of Year 12 before it began.
Dhairya
past student
How does the program work?
What do students do at the VCE Summer Tutoring Program?
Students participate in academic tutoring, extracurricular activities and information seminars to holistically prepare for VCE and beyond. The academic element of the program includes up to 36 hours of tutorial-style classes (6 hours per subject) and daily one-on-one tutoring sessions; in 2025, this was at less than $5 per hour of tutoring.
The program runs Monday to Friday across two weeks in January. Because of how our program is designed, we ask students to attend every day of VCE Summer Tutoring.
Check out our 2025 Program Snapshot for a full list of activities and sessions provided at the January 2025 program.
Where is the program delivered?
The 2025 program was held in-person at Monash University Clayton Campus, in the Learning and Teaching Building. The venue for the 2026 program will be confirmed in mid-2025.
The opportunity to attend the program on a university campus allows students to experience tertiary study life, campus life and educational facilities each year.
What subjects can I study with VCE Summer Tutoring?
We offer over 55 VCE subjects through our comprehensive network of tutors. This includes:
- English: English, English Language, Foundation English, Literature, English as an Additional Language
- Maths: Foundation Mathematics, General Mathematics, Mathematical Methods, Specialist Mathematics
- Science: Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Physics, Psychology
- Health: Food Studies, Health and Human Development, Outdoor and Environmental Studies, Physical Education
- Digital Technologies: Algorithmics, Applied Computing, Software Development, Systems Engineering
- Commerce: Accounting, Business Management, Economics, Industry and Enterprise, Legal Studies
- Humanities: Classical Studies, Geography, Global Politics, Philosophy, Politics, Religion and Society, Sociology, Texts and Traditions
- History: Ancient History, Australian History, Classical Studies, Modern History, History: Empires, History: Revolutions, Modern History,
- Performing and Fine Arts: Dance, Drama, Music, Theatre Studies
- Visual Arts: Art Creative Practice, Art Making and Exhibiting, Media, Visual Communication and Design
- Design and Technologies: Agricultural and Horticultural Studies, Food Studies, Product Design and Technologies, Systems Engineering
- Languages: Chinese, French, German, Classical Greek, Indonesian, Italian, Latin, Japanese, Vietnamese (contact us to discuss other languages)
- Extended Investigation
If your subject is not on the above list, please contact us and we’ll do our best to find a tutor for you at the program.
What is the cost of participating in the program?
The 2025 program cost $150. This cost covers all program activities; for 2025, this included the academic program, daily lunch and breakfast, social activities and information seminars.
Pricing for the 2026 program will be announced when student applications open later in 2025.
Is there support available to help cover the cost of the program?
Yes! We are committed to keeping the program affordable to students from different backgrounds, including students experiencing financial disadvantage. We have a number of bursary and payment options available, and can assist you in connecting with organisations who may be able to support you further.
Our program is run on a not-for-profit basis, and fees are set to reflect our actual costs and keep the program sustainable — our only interest is in high-quality education.
Who is eligible to apply?
Our VCE Summer Tutoring program is suitable for all Victorian high school students entering their Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) year – that is, entering Year 11 or 12.
While a big part of our ethos is addressing educational disadvantage, the program is suitable for students from all walks of life.
We accept a limited number of students entering year 10, or who are enrolled in VCE with Vocational Major (VM) or the International Baccalaureate (IB). Our program is advantageous for those students, but please note we only provide VCE curriculum subjects.
How do I apply?
As part of the application, we collect information about you, your studies, and your education circumstances and each student application is individually assessed by a Program Director. Please note that all information collected through this application form is for the purpose of determining participation of students in the VCE Summer Tutoring program and eligibility for financial and/or other support to attend the program. If you have any questions, you can contact us at program@vcesummertutoring.au.
Financial assistance for program fees
VCE Summer Tutoring is a non-profit organisation dedicated to providing tutoring services at an affordable rate to address educational inequity in Victoria. Our fees are set to reflect our actual costs and ensure the program's sustainability. Our primary interest is in providing high-quality education.
We understand the cost of the program might be a barrier for many students. In the application form, please provide a 100-word (or less) personal statement to tell us about:
- how your education is being affected by financial hardship or other circumstances
- how a bursary will help you attend the program and advance your education
If writing a personal statement is new for you or if you would like some guidance on what we're looking for, our Program Directors have prepared a personal statement guide here for your reference!
Meet our tutors
We are proud to be an organisation run for young people, by young people. We are powered by our group of committed and passionate volunteer tutors, drawn from universities all across Victoria.
All our volunteers are screened for academic skills and capabilities as educators, and receive training to give you the best possible experience at the program. Learn more about them below!
Nat Khwanmuang
Nat is an Operations Coordinator, overseeing the logistical and administrative aspects of the program with his team of a dozen Operations Officers.
Nat (he/him) is a student-teacher studying at Melbourne Uni. He has 5 years of tutoring experience in maths (Methods and Specialist) and physics, including 2 years volunteering at Melbourne Uni Student Union’s VCE Summer School. Alongside sharing his passion for maths and science, Nat’s favourite part of VCE Summer Tutoring is the interactions with students and other tutors. Whether it’s through classes, one-on-one tutoring or non-academic workshops, Nat feels these interactions foster a community based on an exchange of ideas, mentorship, and overall wholesome vibes; a community built together by the students and volunteers, for the students. Outside of volunteering, Nat is a huge fan of badminton who plays at least once a week and enjoys sharing his love for the world’s fastest racket sport by coaching young people.
Claire Minney
Claire is a Welfare Coordinator and Child Safety Officer, responsible for maintaining a comfortable and child-friendly environment on program with their team of a dozen Welfare Officers.
Claire (she/they) started volunteer tutoring in high school and has been tutoring VCE students at summer programs for the last five years. As a volunteer, they have tutored Health and Human Development and VCE Dance, also running a VCE Dance program throughout the year as part of their job as a dance teacher. Outside of academic tutoring and teaching, Claire volunteers at Minus18 through the Young Leaders program running events for young LGBTQIA+ folk. Getting to work with teens is Claire’s favourite part of volunteering for VCE Summer Tutoring. She loves getting to see the “aha!” moments when a difficult concept finally clicks for a student, and they are able to apply new understanding to their work. Claire’s university studies have also followed their passion for diversity and inclusion having studied Bachelor’s degrees at La Trobe University in Arts and Science, as well as postgraduate study at Deakin University in Disability and Inclusion.
Felix Zhou
Felix is a Teaching Support Coordinator, responsible for optimising delivery of our academic program with his team of a dozen Teaching Support Officers.
Felix (he/him) is currently completing his Doctor of Medicine (MD2) alongside a Master’s in Biomedical Engineering. With over 2500 hours of tutoring experience across half a decade, and four years of volunteer experience with VCE Summer Tutoring, Felix has honed his expertise in teaching Methods and Chemistry. His favourite part of the program is delivering high-yield content that equips students with the tools and confidence to excel in the year ahead. Outside of his academic pursuits and volunteering, Felix is always up for a laugh—though perhaps not in the kitchen, where he once almost burnt it down making an omelette!