School nowadays has many different physical forms. Here's a few choices within public education for the final years of school.

Four hundred public high schools in NSW provide students in Year 11 and 12 with an extensive range of subjects, opportunities and expertise. Through vocational education and training opportunities, our students have access to a number of courses run in conjunction with TAFE institutes. Senior students can also study university-level subjects linked to the Higher School Certificate.

For more information go to: www.det.nsw.edu.au 

Across NSW, 25 Trade Schools are being established in public schools to address skills shortages by creating additional opportunities for school-based apprenticeships and traineeships. Students can complete their HSC while undertaking a traineeship or apprenticeship, and can leave school with either a Certificate II or a substantial start to a Certificate III qualification. Each trade school specialises in one or more areas where there are local skill shortages, including automotive, construction, electro-technology, metals and engineering, commercial cookery, nursing and healthcare.

For more information go to: www.sbatinnsw.info 

Trade Training Centres are being established in high schools to help increase the proportion of students achieving a Year 12 credential or an equivalent training qualification. The $2.5 billion, 10-year program will allow schools to establish trade training centres or upgrade facilities. The program aims to address skill shortages in traditional trades and emerging industries.

For more information go to: www.ttcinnswdet.info/about.php

TAFE NSW can help young people develop skills needed in the modern workplace. TAFE institutes deliver flexible hands-on study programs in a huge number of industry areas - at 130 locations across the state. Each campus has its own range of facilities; some specialise in certain types of training, while others have a full range of courses.

For more information speak to your careers adviser, visit the TAFE NSW website or contact the TAFE NSW Information Centre on 131 601.

Many high schools link up with other schools in nearby locations to pool resources and expertise to offer students even more choice. These learning communities, as they are known, can offer opportunities for further academic and vocational pathways, as well as the performing arts, sports and student leadership.

Universities offer courses in a diverse range of disciplines, from information technology and engineering to music, fine arts, health sciences, business, law and much more. Attending university and obtaining an undergraduate degree can be the minimum requirement for some careers or can provide a foundation for a range of career options.

To find out more about universities, go to careers markets, open days or tertiary information days run by universities.

All applications for universities need to go through the Universities Admissions Centre.

For more information go to: www.uac.edu.au