HSC preparation courses (years 10-12)
HSC preparation courses (years 10-12). The smart way to prepare for your HSC.
HSC preparation short courses at CCE, the University of Sydney, are designed to help students approach their final exams with confidence. Each course offers up-to-date content, expert teaching and a clear focus on exam readiness.
Explore a wide range of subjects including HSC mathematics, English, business studies, economics, biology, chemistry, physics and more. Courses also cover key skills such as essay writing, critical thinking, time management and study strategies.
Ideal for consolidating school learning and building subject confidence, these holiday intensives are led by experienced educators who understand the demands of the HSC.
Courses are affordable, convenient and delivered face-to-face at the University of Sydney campus.
Download our HSC preparation course timetable for January 2026 (16 KB) and April 2026 (16 KB).
All courses
This two-day study methods course for Years 10 – 12 students focuses on time management, learning and memory, critical thinking and the examination period.
Students develop strategies for independent study and time management for all subjects. We begin with how to confront and overcome distraction and procrastination – the most common difficulty for students in Years 11 and 12. The course then defines the higher order thinking that underpins HSC syllabuses and marking guidelines. Time management is explored – a major need for success in study, with specific reference to time management techniques such as Pomodoro and certain note taking systems, eg Cornell. Recent theories of learning and memory are explained and applied.
Throughout the course, you will put your learning into practice in self-chosen areas of study. Other topics include revision throughout the year, final revision and the exam period; examination papers and practice for exam conditions. The range is wide and the course is varied, including a focus on using online resources and databases such as those available through the State Library of NSW.
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
- confront and overcome procrastination
- plan and maintain time management, including timetables for the session, the week, the school term and the year
- apply key theories of learning and cognition, including how these apply to NESA syllabuses and examinations
- plan for study and revision throughout the year
- prepare for the examination period
- improve use of research resources including online resources and library resources such as those available through the State Library of NSW
- read and analyse sample HSC examination material provided by NESA.
- Recognising and overcoming procrastination
- Discussion and application of theories of cognition and critical thinking, including the range from knowledge to analysis and synthesis
- Discussion and application of recent theories of memory and learning, including learning over time, depth learning, and analytic elaboration of knowledge and ideas
- Student application of memory and learning methods to self-chosen material
- Discussion and analysis of research resources including the State Library of NSW HSC resources and other online resources
- Discussion and planning for revision throughout the year and in the period before examinations
- Discussion about the examination room experience and how to deal with examination papers
- Study of examination papers, exam essays and other examination material provided by NESA
Students in Years 10-12
Delivery includes presentation by the teacher and interactive group discussion. Sharing issues and solutions is a major part of this course. You will apply the study methods to self-chosen topics and texts. You will need access to texts and other school material during the course.
You will be provided with a course booklet (electronic copy) using Dropbox which includes previous examination papers and essays.
Bring your own device
You are required to bring your own device (Windows or Mac) and a power cord. Please ensure your device is fully charged as access to power is limited.
Please note that the University does not carry any responsibility for your lost, stolen, or damaged devices whilst on the University premises.
References
NESA Syllabus agreement: (1) The 2017 Introduction provided at the beginning of to the Stage 6 Curriculum for Higher School Certificate courses in English, Mathematics and Science; (2) Learning Across the Curriculum in the 2017 NESA Stage 6 Curriculum.
View Years 10-12 Course: Study Methods detailsWaitlistJoin the waiting list to be notified when a new class becomes available.Join the waiting listThis one-day HSC English preparation course focuses on George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four (1949) for the Common Module: Texts and Human Experiences.
The review of the novel begins with context: Orwell’s response to the Cold War period led to a dark, dystopian, science fiction satire that is both a puzzle about the history of Communist Russia and a warning against totalitarianism. Analysis and discussion of selected passages focuses the representation of totalitarianism and raises questions about the relevance of propaganda, socialism and capitalism to the present.
Analysis of Winston’s story and its range from realism to fable and dream focuses conformity, dissent, and surveillance and technology. Detailed analysis of selected passages focuses exploration of doublethink, Room 101, O’Brien’s vision of a future of propaganda and torture, whether the proles offer any hope, and pessimism versus optimism.
Comparison to other texts further encourages personal responses about individual and collective human experience. For example, the White Rabbit exhibition Republic of Jing Bang - influenced by Nineteen Eighty-Four - raises the issue of the construction of identity in relation to the present world of television, news and social media.
This course is only suitable for students who will be in Year 12 in 2026. An updated HSC syllabus will be introduced in 2026, so the content is not suitable for students who will be in Year 11 in 2026.
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
- analyse and discuss Nineteen Eighty Four in relation to the concept of ‘textual integrity’ including context, narrative, structure, themes, literary style, key words and motifs
- analyse and discuss Nineteen Eighty Four as a special case of literature as a representation of individual and collective human experience, with a focus on twentieth-century history, totalitarianism and propaganda
- make informed and personal connections between key experiences and themes in Nineteen Eighty Four and the present, including O’Brien and the proles.
- Critical study of Nineteen Eighty-Four as a complex text in relation to the concept of ‘textual integrity, including narrative and genre, with attention to the hybrid form - dystopian science fiction, realistic fable, satire, dream, variation on propaganda.
- Critical study of Nineteen Eighty Four in relation to context and meaning in order to explore its particular interest as a representation of individual and collective human experience, including the focus on twentieth-century history and politics, totalitarianism and propaganda.
- An overview and analysis of selected passages of Nineteen Eighty-Four in order to encourage students to challenge assumptions and explore new ideas about individual and collective human experience in confrontation with the pessimism of the novel. The selected passages include doublethink, Room 101, O’Brien’s vision the future, and the proles.
Year 12 HSC English Standard and Advanced students studying George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four for the Common Module: Texts and Human Experiences.
A combination of lecture and group discussion with selected passages and selected literary criticism and related texts used as a basis for interactive exploration of the text to provide informed personal student responses.
A course booklet is provided electronically. Please bring along your own copy of the text.
Bring your own device
You are required to bring your own device (Windows or Mac) along with a power cord. Please ensure your device is fully charged, as access to power outlets is limited.
Please note that University does not carry any responsibility for your lost, stolen, or damaged devices whilst on the University premises.
References
NESA English Advanced Stage 6 Syllabus (2017)
View HSC English Standard & Advanced Preparation Course - Common Module: 'Nineteen Eighty-Four' details
EA 12-1, EA 12-2, EA 12-3, EA 12-4, EA 12-5, EA 12-6, EA 12-7, EA 12-8, EA 12-9WaitlistJoin the waiting list to be notified when a new class becomes available.Join the waiting listThis course is the first in a series of four Mathematics Advanced courses and provides consolidation of the key content and skills from specific topics in the Mathematics Advanced HSC course. The program covers graphing techniques, trigonometric functions and graphs, differential calculus, and descriptive statistics and bivariate data analysis. Prerequisite skills from the Mathematics Advanced Preliminary course will be reviewed. Study skills and examination techniques will also be emphasised.
Other courses in this series include HSC Mathematics Preparation - Advanced (Part 2) (April) and HSC Mathematics Preparation - Advanced (Part 3) (July). You do not need to attend all three parts in order to benefit.
This course is suitable for students who will be in Year 12 in 2026. An updated HSC syllabus will be introduced in 2026, so the content is not suitable for students who will be in Year 11 in 2026.
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
- apply transformations to sketch polynomial, reciprocal, absolute value, trigonometric, exponential or logarithmic functions
- use graphical methods and supporting algebraic techniques to solve a variety of practical problems, including those involving periodic phenomena
- solve trigonometric equations
- differentiate trigonometric, exponential and logarithmic functions
- apply the product, quotient and chain rules to differentiate functions
- organise, interpret and display grouped and ungrouped data
- calculate and interpret summary statistics and identify outliers
- construct bivariate scatterplots and use them to describe patterns, features and associations of bivariate data sets
- analyse bivariate data sets using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and lines of best fit
- answer a range of questions based on the topics covered
- critically evaluate your own and others’ solutions to improve the quality of responses in assessment tasks
- interpret mathematical language of examination questions to better understand the steps required in a quality solution.
The following topics from the Mathematics Advanced HSC syllabus will be covered:
- MA-F2 Graphing Techniques
- MA-F3 Trigonometric Functions and Graphs
- MA-C2 Differential Calculus
- MA-S2 Descriptive Statistics and Bivariate Data Analysis
This course is suitable for students who will be in Year 12 in 2026. An updated HSC syllabus will be introduced in 2026, so the content is not suitable for students who will be in Year 11 in 2026.
Delivered as a two-day activity-based workshop where we will explore and apply mathematical knowledge and skills in a combination of lectures, tutorials and problem-solving sessions. Practice exercises are carefully graded and you will receive immediate feedback.
You will receive electronic copies of the following:
- a course booklet including theory and worked examples, covering all syllabus dot points from the relevant topics
- solutions to all questions in the course booklet
- relevant past examination questions from the previous mathematics course, as well as from other educational jurisdictions, with sample answers provided.
Bring your own device
You are required to bring your own device (Windows or Mac) along with a power cord. Please ensure your device is fully charged, as access to power outlets is limited.
Please note that University does not carry any responsibility for your lost, stolen, or damaged devices whilst on the University premises.
Course evaluation
This course will be evaluated through an online student questionnaire, which will be sent via email during class.
View HSC Mathematics Preparation Course - Advanced (Part 1) (January) detailsWaitlistJoin the waiting list to be notified when a new class becomes available.Join the waiting listThis HSC English preparation course focuses on English Advanced Module C: The Craft of Writing.
This one-day course provides:
- a comprehensive overview of the course requirements
- a review of the mandated general features of writing (allusion, imagery, narrative voice, characterisation and tone)
- an explanation of key vocabulary
- an analysis of relevant HSC questions, plus other NESA specimen questions
- explicit teaching of how language evokes emotion, in a selected group of texts from the prescribed list
- close analysis, individual activities, and group discussion on prescribed texts
- activities based upon the five required styles of writing (imaginative, discursive, persuasive, reflective, and informative).
This course is only suitable for students who will be in Year 12 in 2026. An updated HSC syllabus will be introduced in 2026, so the content is not suitable for students who will be in Year 11 in 2026.
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
- analyse and respond to the syllabus and prescriptions for the HSC Advanced English Module C: The Craft of Writing
- differentiate and respond in mandated styles of writing: discursive, persuasive, imaginative, reflective
- replicate and redeploy devices used in the prescribed texts within their own writing
- understand that key literary features (eg characterisation, voice, tone) include a sub-set of other elements
- make appropriate semantic choices to describe literary devices, stylistic choices or aesthetic features in their own or others' texts.
- Critical analysis of important language devices of significant, selected prescribed texts.
- Evaluation of the suitability of language forms, features and structure for different purposes, audiences, contexts and meanings.
- Experimentation with the strategic application of language devices in different contexts.
- Examination strategies for: question/stimulus analysis; anticipating and preparing for different types of question (eg ideas-focused, text-specific, or a specified literary device or stylistic feature); integrating the provided stimulus in the response; and scaffolding/structuring the response.
Year 12 HSC English Advanced students.
Small classes. Lecture and workshop style. Group discussion for interactive exploration of the texts and informed personal student responses. Students will also read and discuss sample HSC examination material provided by NESA.
A course booklet is provided electronically. Please bring along your own copy of the text.
Bring your own device
You are required to bring your own device (Windows or Mac) along with a power cord. Please ensure your device is fully charged, as access to power outlets is limited.
Please note that University does not carry any responsibility for your lost, stolen, or damaged devices whilst on the University premises.
References
NESA English Advanced Syllabus 2017
View HSC English Advanced Preparation Course - Module C: Craft of Writing details
EA 12-1, EA 12-2, EA 12-3, EA 12-4, EA 12-5, EA 12-6, EA 12-7, EA 12-8WaitlistJoin the waiting list to be notified when a new class becomes available.Join the waiting listThis course provides consolidation of the key content and skills from Module 5: Advanced Mechanics. There is a focus on those cognitive skills needed to access and apply chemical knowledge in an HSC assessment context and the higher order thinking needed to push student achievement into Band 6. The workshops are activity based whereby students explore and apply physics knowledge and skills using a combination of lectures, tutorials and problem-solving sessions with immediate feedback from teachers. In short, this course is designed to review key concepts and skills with a view to maximising results in a variety of physics assessment tasks.
This course is part of a four-part series covering key areas from within this subject’s syllabus. Other courses include HSC Physics Preparation (Part 2) (April), HSC Physics Preparation (Part 3) (July) and HSC Physics Preparation (Part 4) (September). Students do not need to attend all four parts in order to benefit. The series is supplemented by the HSC Physics Exam Preparation Course to prepare for end of year exams.
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
- answer a range of questions covering the content, concepts and skills in the module
- critically evaluate your own and others’ answers to improve the quality of responses to assessment tasks
- identify the relationships between key concepts in the module
- apply strategies for problem solving to improve the quality and accuracy of responses to assessment tasks
- critically analyse experimental methods and comment meaningfully on validity, reliability and accuracy
- analyse, process and apply quantitative chemical data to solve problems.
All three subtopics within Module 5: Advanced Mechanics will be covered:
- Projectile Motion
- Circular Motion
- Motion in Gravitational Fields
Relevant Skills will also be covered.
Suitable for Year 12 students wishing to undertake additional study for Module 5 of the HSC Physics Syllabus (2017), and accelerated Year 11 students who have already completed Modules 1-4.
Delivered as a two-day activity-based workshop where you will explore and apply physics knowledge and skills in a combination of lectures, tutorials and problem-solving sessions while receiving immediate feedback.
Course notes covering all syllabus dot points for each module, including examples, practical methods and results, are shared electronically.
Bring your own device
You are required to bring your own device. Please ensure it is fully charged as access to power is limited.
View HSC Physics Preparation Course (Part 1) (January) detailsWaitlistJoin the waiting list to be notified when a new class becomes available.Join the waiting listGlobalisation and Australia’s Place in the Global Economy including Balance of Payments
This course will revise the key components of HSC Economics Topic 1 – The Global Economy, introduce the key themes of HSC Economics Topic 2 – Australia’s Place in the Global Economy, and investigate some of the pitfalls associated with answering examination questions in Economics. Specific attention will be given to the characteristics of globalisation and the economic implications for economies around the world of this continual process of globalisation and change. This course will also cover the role played by Australia in the globalised economy, with particular reference made to the Balance of Payments.
This course is part of a three-part series covering key areas from within this subject’s syllabus. Other courses include HSC Economics Preparation (Part 2) and HSC Economics Preparation (Part 3). Students do not need to attend all three parts in order to benefit. The series is supplemented by the HSC Economics Exam Preparation Course to prepare students' for end of year exams.
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
- examine the impact of the globalisation process on economic growth and the quality of life, levels of unemployment, rates of inflation and external stability
- assess the potential impact on the environment of continuing world economic development
- investigate the global distribution of wealth and investigate the consequences of an unequal distribution of global wealth
- discuss the effects of protectionist policies on the global economy
- analyse statistics on trade and financial flows to determine the nature and extent of global interdependence
- assess the impact on the global economy of international organisations and contemporary trading bloc agreements
- assess the impact of development strategies used in a range of contemporary and hypothetical situations
- synthesise information from a variety of sources to evaluate the impact of the global economy on the Australian economy
- examine the impact of changes in the global economy on Australia’s economic performance
- analyse the relationship between international competitiveness and structural change in the Australian economy
- explain the relationship between the current account balance, net foreign debt and net foreign liabilities
- calculate and interpret the effects of changes in Australia’s terms of trade index.
- H1 Understanding of economic terms, concepts and relationships with respect to: economic growth and the quality of life, levels of unemployment, rates of inflation and external stability; global distribution of wealth; protectionist policies on the global economy; international organisations and contemporary trading bloc agreements.
- H2 Economic role of individuals, firms, institutions and governments with respect to: impact on environment of continuing world economic development; consequences of an unequal distribution of global wealth; protectionist policies on the global economy; changes in the global economy on Australia’s economic performance.
- H3 Role of markets within the global economy with regards to: distribution of global wealth; protectionist policies; international competitiveness and structural change in the Australian economy.
- H4 The impact of global markets on the Australian and global economies with respect to: economic growth and the quality of life, levels of unemployment, rates of inflation and external stability.
- H5 Policy options for dealing with problems and issues in contemporary and hypothetical contexts with regards to: Environment; distribution of wealth; protectionist policies.
- H6 The impact of economic policies in theoretical and contemporary Australian contexts with regards to: protectionist policies on the global economy; international organisations and contemporary trading bloc agreements; development strategies used in a range of contemporary and hypothetical situations.
- H7 Consequences of contemporary economic problems and issues on individuals, firms and governments with regards to Environment; global distribution of wealth; protectionist policies.
- H8 Appropriate terminology, concepts and theories in contemporary and hypothetical economic contexts with regards to: the impact of development strategies used in a range of contemporary and hypothetical situations.
- H9 Information from a variety of sources for relevance and reliability with regards to: analysing statistics on trade and financial flows to determine the nature and extent of global interdependence.
- H10 Economic information, ideas and issues in appropriate forms with regards to: examining the impact of changes in the global economy on Australia’s economic performance.
- H11 Mathematical concepts in economic contexts with regards to: calculating and interpreting the effects of changes in Australia’s terms of trade index.
(Aligned to NESA Syllabus Reference Points)
HSC Economics students
In order to cater for students’ different learning styles, this course will have a blend of lecturer instruction via PowerPoint, short answer practice, multiple choice analysis, essay planning, sample HSC question practice and feedback, extended discussion of issues and implications, and analysis of past student responses. Lessons will incorporate both group and individual student participation.
A course booklet covering syllabus content plus a Q&A booklet (provided electronically using Dropbox).
Bring your own device
You are required to bring your own device. Please ensure it is fully charged as access to power is limited. Please note that the University does not carry any responsibility for your lost, stolen, or damaged devices whilst on the University premises.
View HSC Economics Preparation Course (Part 1) (January) detailsWaitlistJoin the waiting list to be notified when a new class becomes available.Join the waiting listThis two-day Essay Writing course focuses on the essay form and related critical thinking, language and punctuation skills for students in Years 10 - 12. The course is relevant to a range of subjects that require the writing of essays for assignments and exams.
We will study how to structure essays, organise ideas and information, and write in appropriate language for assignments and exam essays. There will be an analysis of the essay form and the need for an organised, logical argument with evidence and analytic discussion of the evidence. This will include a focus on appropriate language, rhetoric and punctuation as well as study of the nature of a formal voice, appropriate educated vocabulary for different courses, and the range from a formal to a more conversational voice. Sophisticated punctuation is introduced as a mode of complex thinking. The sections on the body of the essay focus on critical thinking and argument as a combination of a sequence of ideas, evidence and extended analytic comment about evidence.
This will be followed by an overview of the traditional structure of introduction, body and conclusion. The course then provides an introduction to critical thinking and argument in relation to Bloom’s taxonomy and syllabus outcomes and questions and marking guidelines for examinations in New South Wales.
There will be detailed teacher presentation and student discussion and practice writing the introduction, body and conclusion of an essay on a topic of their own choice. Your writing will be reviewed individually in one-on-one sessions, with the teacher providing advice about your individual work as well as the form of the essay. The discussion of the body and the related practice writing includes special focus on making connections between ideas, evidence and different texts, areas and authorities (synthesis).
The timing of research and writing is explored throughout the course and stressed in the discussion of the essay conclusion, along with the fact that an appropriate conclusion is essential, and with guidance about to how write a successful conclusion.
Throughout the course, students are advised about the importance of genuine interest in order to write genuinely interesting essays. Discussion of related examination material – including examination papers and high-ranking English essays - provided by NESA further supports individual student responses and individual student practice in writing essays.
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
- plan and structure an essay in relation to a research assignment or examination question and with awareness of the significance of learning for any essay
- write an essay with an introduction, body and conclusion
- write an essay with a focus on critical thinking and a sustained argument that combines ideas, evidence and analytic exploration of evidence in relation to the development of the argument
- write an essay with the advantage of analysis and discussion of Bloom’s taxonomy and its relation to advanced critical thinking, syllabus requirements and examination standards, including making connections between parts of texts, between texts, and between areas of knowledge and learning (synthesis)
- develop appropriate vocabulary, rhetoric and punctuation in a formal and individual written style suitable for essays and subjects in Stages 5 and 6
- respond to research essays and examination essays with appropriate discussion and practice about the importance of timing
- develop a focus on individual responses and essays written in an individual, educated voice
- write essays with understanding of NESA syllabus and prescription requirements, marking guidelines and previous exam answers
- improve essay writing across a wide range of ability and a high level of achievement
- analyse and respond to NESA material about syllabus and prescription requirements, and previous examination questions and essays.
- Planning an essay in relation to a research or examination question and in relation to the importance of knowledge and learning for an essay
- Discussion, analysis and written practice of the structure of an essay in relation to the introduction, body and conclusion
- Discussion, analysis and written practice in critical thinking and the development of a sustained argument that combines ideas, evidence and analytic exploration of evidence in relation to the development of the argument
- Discussion and written application of Bloom’s taxonomy in relation to essay writing, including use and discussion of evidence and synthesis, and in relation to examination standards
- Discussion and written practice about a formal essay voice and appropriate vocabulary, rhetoric and punctuation, including focus on sophisticated punctuation as a mode of complex critical thinking
- Discussion and written practice in relation to NESA syllabus and prescription requirements, marking guidelines and previous exam answers combined with advice about exam conditions and timing
- Advice about successful essays based on HSC marking experience
- Teacher reading and advice about students’ essay writing in order to define individual areas for improvement and strengths
Students in Years 10-12 English and other essay based courses.
A combination of tutor presentation, group discussion, reading and writing practice and facilitator advice about your writing. You should be prepared for interactive learning and should bring your own “fully charged device”, plus writing materials. Senior students who have access to self-selected school texts should bring them along for practice essay writing. Online activities will supplement learning activities.
You will be provided with a course booklet (electronic copy) using Dropbox which includes previous examination questions and answers.
Bring your own device
You are required to bring your own device (Windows or Mac) and a power cord. Please ensure your device is fully charged as access to power is limited.
Please note that University does not carry any responsibility for your lost, stolen, or damaged devices whilst on the University premises.
References
NESA English Advanced Syllabus 2017
EA12-1, EA12-2, EA12-3, EA12-4, EA12-5, EA12-6, EA12-7, EA12-8, EA12-9<div class="course-meta-content hide" style="display: none;"><span class="js-course-meta-title">Years 10-12 HSC Essay Writing Course - Exam preparation</span><span class="js-course-meta-description">Enrol in a two-day essay writing course for Years 10-12. Develop an in-depth understanding of essay form, critical thinking, language & punctuation skills. Face-to-face in Sydney. Enrol now.</span></div>
View Years 10-12 Course: Essay Writing detailsWaitlistJoin the waiting list to be notified when a new class becomes available.Join the waiting listThis course provides consolidation of the key content and skills from Module 5: Equilibrium and Acid Reactions. There is a focus on those cognitive skills needed to access and apply chemical knowledge in an HSC assessment context. The workshops are activity based whereby students explore and apply chemical knowledge and skills using a combination of lectures, tutorials and problem-solving sessions with immediate feedback from teachers. In short, this course is designed to review key concepts and skills with a view to maximising results in a variety of chemistry assessment tasks.
This course is part of a four-part series covering key areas from within this subject’s syllabus. Other courses include HSC Chemistry Preparation (Part 2), HSC Chemistry Preparation (Part 3) and HSC Chemistry Preparation (Part 4). Students do not need to attend all four parts in order to benefit. The series is supplemented by the HSC Chemistry Exam Preparation Course to prepare for end of year exams.
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
- answer a range of questions covering the content, concepts and skills in the module
- critically evaluate your own and others’ answers to improve the quality of responses to assessment tasks
- identify the relationships between key concepts in the module
- apply strategies for problem solving to improve the quality and accuracy of responses to assessment tasks
- analyse experimental methods and comment meaningfully on validity, reliability and accuracy
- analyse, process and apply quantitative chemical data to solve problems.
All four subtopics within Module 5: Equilibrium and Acid Reactions will be covered:
- Static and Dynamic Equilibrium
- Factors that Affect Equilibrium
- Calculating the Equilibrium Constant (Keq)
- Solution Equilibria
Relevant Skills will also be covered.
Suitable for Year 12 students wishing to undertake additional study for Module 5 of the new HSC Chemistry Syllabus (2017), and accelerated Year 11 students who have already completed Modules 1-4.
Delivered as a two-day activity-based workshop where you will explore and apply chemistry knowledge and skills in a combination of lectures, tutorials and problem-solving sessions while receiving immediate feedback.
You will receive electronic copies using Dropbox of the following:
- course notes including theory and worked examples from the relevant topics
- solutions to all questions in the course notes
- relevant HSC questions from recent years with sample answers provided.
Bring your own device
You are required to bring your own device. Please ensure it is fully charged as access to power is limited. Please note that the University does not carry any responsibility for your lost, stolen, or damaged devices whilst on the University premises.
View HSC Chemistry Preparation Course (Part 1) (January) detailsWaitlistJoin the waiting list to be notified when a new class becomes available.Join the waiting listBusiness Operations and Marketing
This course will revise the key components of HSC Topic 1 – Operations and part of HSC Topic 2 – Marketing, and investigate some of the pitfalls associated with answering examination questions in Business Studies. Specific attention for HSC Topic 1 – Operations examines how effective operations management is crucial to deliver an efficient and quality product. This will be done by using existing business case studies to analyse how operations processes apply to various business situations and explain and evaluate how operations strategies is managed in one or more business. This course will then cover the nature and role of marketing in a business and the main elements involved in the marketing process - HSC Topic 2 – Marketing.
This course is part of a three-part series covering key areas from within this subject’s syllabus. Other courses include HSC Business Studies Preparation (Part 2) and HSC Business Studies Preparation (Part 3). You do not need to attend all three parts in order to benefit. The series is supplemented by the HSC Business Studies Exam Preparation Course to prepare for end of year exams.
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
- discuss the balance between cost and quality in operations strategy
- examine the impact of globalisation on operations strategy
- identify the breadth of government policies that affect operations management
- explain why corporate social responsibility is a key concern in operations management
- describe the features of operations management for businesses in a tertiary industry
- assess the relationship between operations and the other key business functions in two actual businesses
- explain how operations strategy can help a business sustain its competitive advantage
- recommend possible operations strategies for one hypothetical business
- explain why goods and/or services are central to both marketing and operations
- examine why ethical behaviour and government regulation are important in marketing.
- H1 The role of business in Australia and globally with regards to: the impact of globalisation on operations strategy.
- H2 Management strategies in response to changes in internal and external influences with regards to: the balance between cost and quality in operations strategy.
- H3 Social and ethical responsibilities of management with regards to: why corporate social responsibility is a key concern in operations management; examine why ethical behaviour and government regulation are important in marketing.
- H4 Business functions and processes in large and global businesses with regards to: the breadth of government policies that affect operations management.
- H5 Management strategies and their impact on businesses with regards to: the features of operations management for businesses in a tertiary industry.
- H6 The effectiveness of management in the performance of businesses with regards to: how operations strategy can help a business sustain its competitive advantage.
- H7 Contemporary business issues with regards to: the relationship between operations and the other key business functions in two actual businesses.
- H8 Information for actual and hypothetical business situations with regards to: possible operations strategies for one hypothetical business.
- H9 Business information, issues and concepts with regards to: why goods and/or services are central to both marketing and operations.
(Aligned to NESA Syllabus Reference Points)
HSC Business Studies students
In order to cater for different learning styles, this course will have a blend of lecturer instruction via PowerPoint, short answer practice, multiple choice analysis, essay planning, sample HSC question practice and feedback, extended discussion of issues and implications, and analysis of past student responses. Lessons will incorporate both group and individual student participation.
You will receive a course booklet covering syllabus content and a Q&A booklet (provided electronically using Dropbox).
Bring your own device
You are required to bring your own device. Please ensure it is fully charged as access to power is limited. Please note that the University does not carry any responsibility for your lost, stolen, or damaged devices whilst on the University premises.
View HSC Business Studies Preparation Course (Part 1) (January) detailsWaitlistJoin the waiting list to be notified when a new class becomes available.Join the waiting listThis course is the first in a series of three Mathematics Standard 2 courses. The course will provide consolidation of key content and skills from Mathematics Standard Year 11 course as this will be assumed knowledge for the HSC Mathematics Standard 2 Examination. The topics covered in this course include Algebra, Financial Mathematics, Measurement and Statistical Analysis.
Other courses in this series include HSC Mathematics Preparation - Standard 2 (Part 2) (April) and HSC Mathematics Preparation - Standard 2 (Part 3) (July). You do not need to attend all three parts in order to benefit. The series is supplemented by the HSC Mathematics - Standard 2 Exam Preparation Course (September) to prepare for end of year exams.
This course is suitable for students who will be in Year 12 in 2026. An updated HSC syllabus will be introduced in 2026, so the content is not suitable for students who will be in Year 11 in 2026.
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
- use algebraic and graphical techniques to compare alternative solutions to contextual problems
- represent information in symbolic, graphical and tabular form
- solve problems involving quantity measurement, including accuracy and the choice of relevant units
- perform calculations in relation to two-dimensional and three-dimensional figures
- model relevant financial situations using appropriate tools
- make predictions about everyday situations based on simple mathematical models
- develop and carry out simple statistical processes to answer questions posed
- solve probability problems involving multistage events
- use appropriate technology to investigate, organise and interpret information in a range of contexts
- justify a response to a given problem using appropriate mathematical terminology and/or calculations.
The following topics from the Mathematics Standard syllabus will be covered:
- Formulae and Equations
- Linear Relationships
- Interest and Depreciation
- Earning and Managing Money
- Practicalities of Measurement
- Perimeter, Area and Volume
- Units of Energy and Mass
- Working with Time
- Classifying and Representing Data
- Summary Statistics
- Relative Frequency and Probability
This course is suitable for students who will be in Year 12 in 2026. An updated HSC syllabus will be introduced in 2026, so the content is not suitable for students who will be in Year 11 in 2026.
Delivered as a two-day activity-based workshop where we will explore and apply mathematical knowledge and skills in a combination of lectures, tutorials and problem-solving sessions. Practice exercises are carefully graded and you will receive immediate feedback. Study skills and examination techniques will also be emphasised.
You will receive electronic copies of the following:
- course notes including theory and worked examples from the relevant topics
- solutions to all questions in the course notes
- HSC Questions from recent years on the relevant topics, with sample answers provided.
Bring your own device
You are required to bring your own device (Windows or Mac) along with a power cord. Please ensure your device is fully charged, as access to power outlets is limited.
Please note that University does not carry any responsibility for your lost, stolen, or damaged devices whilst on the University premises.
References
New NESA Mathematics 2 Unit Standard Stage 6 Syllabus (2017)
A1- A2, F1.1-F1.2, M1.1-M1,3,M2, S1.1-S1.2, S2Course evaluation
This course will be evaluated through an online student questionnaire, which will be sent via email during class.
View HSC Mathematics Preparation Course - Standard 2 (Part 1) (January) detailsWaitlistJoin the waiting list to be notified when a new class becomes available.Join the waiting listThis course is the second in a series of four Mathematics Advanced courses and provides consolidation of the key content and skills from specific topics in the HSC Mathematics course. The program covers the second derivative and random variables. Prerequisite skills from the Mathematics Advanced Preliminary course will be reviewed. Study skills and examination techniques will also be emphasised.
Other courses in this series include HSC Mathematics Preparation - Advanced (Part 1) (January) and HSC Mathematics Preparation - Advanced (Part 3) (July). You do not need to attend all three parts in order to benefit.
This course is suitable for students who will be in Year 12 in 2026. An updated HSC syllabus will be introduced in 2026, so the content is not suitable for students who will be in Year 11 in 2026.
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
- apply techniques from calculus to curve sketching and to problems on maxima and minima
- use knowledge of arithmetic and geometric series to solve problems
- find integrals and use integration to calculate areas, and volumes of solids of revolution
- answer a range of questions based on the topics covered
- critically evaluate your own and others’ solutions to improve the quality of responses in assessment tasks
- interpret mathematical language of examination questions to better understand the steps required in a quality solution.
The following topics from the Mathematics Advanced HSC syllabus will be covered:
- MA-C3 The Second Derivative
- MA-S3 Random Variables
This course is suitable for students who will be in Year 12 in 2026. An updated HSC syllabus will be introduced in 2026, so the content is not suitable for students who will be in Year 11 in 2026.
Delivered as a two-day activity-based workshop where we will explore and apply mathematical knowledge and skills in a combination of lectures, tutorials and problem-solving sessions. Practice exercises are carefully graded and you will receive immediate feedback.
You will receive electronic copies of the following:
- a course booklet including theory and worked examples, covering all syllabus dot points from the relevant topics
- solutions to all questions in the course booklet
- relevant past examination questions from the previous mathematics course, as well as from other educational jurisdictions, with sample answers provided.
Bring your own device
You are required to bring your own device (Windows or Mac) along with a power cord. Please ensure your device is fully charged, as access to power outlets is limited.
Please note that University does not carry any responsibility for your lost, stolen, or damaged devices whilst on the University premises.
Course evaluation
This course will be evaluated through an online student questionnaire, which will be sent via email during class.
View HSC Mathematics Preparation Course - Advanced (Part 2) (April) detailsWaitlistJoin the waiting list to be notified when a new class becomes available.Join the waiting listThis two-day HSC preparation course is designed for students completing the English Advanced Module A: Textual Conversations. As part of your HSC preparation, it will enable you to gain an in-depth focus on the pair of texts: William Shakespeare’s The Tempest (1611) and Margaret Atwood’s Hag-Seed (2016) as a re-imagining of The Tempest.
As part of a small class, students will be guided through the requirements of the English Advanced Syllabus and Prescriptions, as well as forming an understanding of context, form, narrative and connections.
Through analysis and discussion of The Tempest, participants explore its hybrid form; the multiple narrative threads; the contradictory and ambiguous key characters; Prospero and Caliban; and the ambiguous significance of Caliban as dark monster (‘hag-seed’), oppressed subject and poetic voice.
Following exploration of Hag-Seed as a reimagining of The Tempest, be guided by experienced teachers to discuss and consider the title; the revisionary parallels between Tony and Prospero (including the daughter motif); Anne-Marie and gender issues; the prisoners and class identity; the substitution of the prison and the prisoners and their performance of The Tempest for Shakespeare’s island.
By engaging in the comparative study of the texts, students will explore the essential grandeur of Shakespeare’s play as a culmination of his career: the range of his poetry; his ambivalence about human error and the magnificence of the world; the identity and status of the clown/villains and Caliban. By drawing on comparisons, students will understand the significance of Hag-Seed through its double nature as a contemporary novel and metatextual literary game; Prospero and mental illness; the English class and prison systems; gender stereotypes and revisions; Atwood’s prisoners compared to Shakespeare’s Stephano, Trinculo, and Caliban.
This course is only suitable for students who will be in Year 12 in 2026. An updated HSC syllabus will be introduced in 2026, so the content is not suitable for students who will be in Year 11 in 2026.
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
- analyse and discuss the relations between The Tempest and Hag-Seed in relation to context, narrative, structure, themes, literary style, key words and motifs
- analyse and discuss The Tempest as a culmination of Shakespeare’s art and interests: in particular, as a hybrid text (poetic drama, romance, revenge tragicomedy, fairyland masque); the twin significance of Prospero as magician master and Caliban as monster slave; romance and revenge; Miranda and Ariel; the emphasis on human error and reconciliation
- analyse and discuss Hag-Seed as a contemporary novel and a metatextual literary game about The Tempest including the significance of the title; Felix, Prospero and revenge; the Miranda variations; the substitution of the prison for the island; variations on gender stereotypes including sex and romance; the contemporary English class system and class identity; the conflation of the prison and performance that contributes to a theatrical novel
- analyse and discuss the relations between The Tempest and Hag-Seed to explore how The Tempest illuminates Hag-Seed and how Hag-Seed raises questions about The Tempest.
Critical study of The Tempest in relation to context, style and meaning in order to explore its hybrid form; the themes about human error and the magnificence of the world and art; princes and the people; romance, sex and gender in the period; Prospero and Caliban – with emphasis on the double nature of Caliban as dark monster and speaker for the beauty of the magical island.
An overview and analysis of Hag-Seed in relation to context, style and meaning in order to explore its hybrid form as contemporary novel and metatextual literary game about The Tempest. The focus includes the identity of Felix and parallels to Prospero; the title and its significance; Atwood’s account of the prison, the prisoners and the variations on Caliban; Miranda and the feminist variations with Anne-Marie; male gender stereotypes; the performance of The Tempest and the prisoners’ variations on Shakespeare that contribute to a theatrical novel.
Extended analysis and discussion that focuses relations between the two texts including discussion of the medium of the novel and the theatre and style, characters and themes. The comparison will focus the variations on Prospero, Miranda, Ariel and Caliban, with emphasis on the prisoners, their performance and Shakespeare’s Caliban and his significance in relation to the variations on Caliban linked to Atwood’s title. Group discussion will explore other related issues including class and gender, art and educated intellectual entertainment.
Year 12 HSC students completing HSC English Module A: Textual Conversations for set pair of texts: William Shakespeare’s The Tempest and Margaret Atwood’s Hag-Seed.
Lecture and workshop style, including group discussions for interactive exploration of the texts and informed personal student responses.
A course booklet is provided electronically.
Bring your own device
You are required to bring your own device (Windows or Mac) and a power cord. Please ensure your device is fully charged, as access to power is limited.
Please note that University does not carry any responsibility for your lost, stolen, or damaged devices whilst on the University premises.
References
NESA English Advanced Stage 6 Syllabus (2017)
View HSC English Advanced Preparation Course - Module A: 'The Tempest' and 'Hag-Seed' details
EA 12-1, EA-12-2, EA 12-3, EA 12-4, EA 12-5, EA 12-6, EA 12-7, EA 12-8WaitlistJoin the waiting list to be notified when a new class becomes available.Join the waiting list
