English Advanced Stage 6 Syllabus (2017)
The English Advanced Stage 6 Syllabus (2017) is for students in Stage 6. Find out more about the syllabus and access teaching and learning support materials.
New syllabus implemented from 2026
The new English Advanced 11–12 Syllabus (2024) is to be implemented from 2026.
2025
- Plan and prepare to teach English Advanced 11–12 Syllabus (2024)
2026, Term 1
- Start teaching English Advanced 11–12 Syllabus (2024) for Year 11
- Start implementing new Year 11 school-based assessment requirements
- Continue to teach the English Advanced Stage 6 Syllabus (2017) for Year 12
2026, Term 4
- Start teaching English Advanced 11–12 Syllabus (2024) for Year 12
- Start implementing new Year 12 school-based assessment requirements
2027
- First HSC examination for English Advanced 11–12 Syllabus (2024)
Detailed implementation information, including key features and resources, is available on the English syllabus development page.
About the course
This course provides students with the opportunity to explore, examine and analyse a range of texts which include prose fiction, drama, poetry, nonfiction, film, media and multimedia, as well as Australian texts. Students strengthen their knowledge and understanding of language and literature by analysing and evaluating texts and the ways they are valued in their contexts.
In the English Advanced course, students continue to explore opportunities to investigate complex ideas in challenging texts, to evaluate, emulate and employ powerful, creative and sophisticated ways to use language to make meaning, and to find enjoyment in literature.
Students refine their understanding of the dynamic relationship between language, texts and meaning. They do this through critical study and through the skilful and creative use of language forms and features, and of structures of texts composed for different purposes in a range of contexts. Through study of the course modules students continue to develop their skills to question, reconsider and refine meaning through language, and to reflect on their own processes of responding, composing and learning.
Year 11 course
- Content common to the English Standard and English Advanced courses is undertaken through a unit of work called Reading to Write: Transition to Senior English. Students explore texts and consolidate skills required for senior study.
- Two additional modules: Critical Study of Literature, and Narratives that Shape our World in which students explore, examine and analyse the ways in which texts and contexts shape and are shaped by different attitudes and values.
Year 12 course
- The HSC Common Content consists of one module Texts and Human Experiences common to the HSC English Standard, the HSC English Advanced and the HSC English Studies courses where students analyse and explore texts and apply skills in synthesis.
- Three additional modules emphasise particular aspects of shaping meaning and representation, questions of textual integrity and ways in which texts are valued.
Board Developed Course
Course number(s):
- 11140 English Advanced (2 units – Year 11)
- 15140 English Advanced (2 units – Year 12)
Prerequisites: Nil
Corequisites: Nil
Eligibility: Nil
Study via self-tuition: Yes
Exclusions:
- 11165 English EAL/D (2 units – Year 11)
- 15155 English EAL/D (2 units – Year 12)
- 11130 English Standard (2 units – Year 11)
- 15130 English Standard (2 units – Year 12)
- 30105 English Studies (2 units – Year 11)
- 15125 English Studies (2 units – Year 12)
- 15126 English Studies (Exam) (2 units – Year 12)
- 16601 English Life Skills (2 units – Year 11)
- 16601 English Life Skills (2 units – Year 12)
Across the English Advanced Stage 6 course students are required to study:
- a range of types of texts inclusive of prose fiction, drama, poetry, nonfiction, film, media and digital texts
- texts which are widely regarded as quality literature, including a range of literary texts written about intercultural experiences and the peoples and cultures of Asia
- a range of Australian texts, including texts by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander authors and those that give insights into diverse experiences of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples
- texts with a wide range of cultural, social and gender perspectives.
Year 11 course
Text requirements
There are no prescribed texts for Year 11.
Students must study a range of types of texts drawn from prose fiction, drama, poetry, nonfiction, film, media and digital texts.
The Year 11 course requires students to support their study of texts with their own wide reading.
For the English Advanced Year 11 course students are required to:
- complete 120 indicative hours
- complete the common module as the first unit of work
- complete modules A and B.
Year 12 course
Text requirements
Students are required to closely study four prescribed texts, one drawn from each of the following categories:
- Shakespearean drama
- prose fiction
- poetry OR drama
The remaining text may be film, media or nonfiction text or may be selected from one of the categories above.
The selection of texts for Module C: The Craft of Writing may be drawn from any types of texts and do not contribute to the pattern of prescribed texts for the course.
Students must study ONE related text in the common module: Texts and Human Experiences.
For the English Advanced Year 12 course students are required to:
- complete the Year 11 course as a prerequisite
- complete 120 indicative hours
- complete the common module as the first unit of work
- complete modules A, B and C over the course.
The knowledge and skills developed in this course can be applied across a range of career pathways.
Industries related to this course include, but are not limited to, the following outlined on the Your Career website:
English prescriptions
The document English Stage 6 Prescriptions: Modules, Electives and Texts 2019–2026 provides essential information about texts prescribed for HSC study for all English courses.
Related support materials have been developed to assist teachers with the selection of texts.
Assessment and exam information and support
Teaching and learning support
Use these support materials to guide and plan your teaching and assessment.
English Advanced Stage 6 (2017): Year 11 – Sample scope and sequence: Sample A (DOCX 19.22KB)
English Advanced Stage 6 (2017): Year 11 – Sample scope and sequence: Sample B (DOCX 19.46KB)
English Advanced Stage 6 (2017): Year 11 – Sample scope and sequence: Sample C (DOCX 19.15KB)
English Advanced Stage 6 (2017): Year 12 – Sample scope and sequence: Sample A (DOCX 20.38KB)
English Advanced Stage 6 (2017): Year 12 – Sample scope and sequence: Sample B (DOCX 20.9KB)
English Advanced Stage 6 (Year 11) – Sample assessment schedule: Sample A (DOCX 15.87KB)
English Advanced Stage 6 (Year 11) – Sample assessment schedule: Sample B (DOCX 15.51KB)
English Advanced Stage 6 (Year 12) – Sample assessment schedule: Sample A (DOCX 18.91KB)
English Advanced Stage 6 (Year 12) – Sample assessment schedule: Sample B (DOCX 19.03KB)
English Advanced Stage 6 (Year 12) – Sample assessment schedule: Sample C (DOCX 19.05KB)
English Advanced Stage 6 (Year 12) – Sample assessment schedule: Sample D (DOCX 19.97KB)