The Diploma Programme:
Preparing students for success in higher education and to be active participants in a global society.
What is the IB Diploma Programme?
The IB Diploma Programme is an academically challenging and balanced
programme of education, with final examinations, that prepares students aged
16 to 19 for success at university and in life beyond. It has been designed to
address the intellectual, social, emotional and physical well-being of students.
The programme has gained recognition and respect from the world's leading
The curriculum
DP students must choose one course from each of five subject groups
delivering a breadth of knowledge and understanding in language
and literature, individuals and societies, the sciences and mathematics.
Furthermore, students must also choose either an arts course from the arts
group or a second course from one of the other subject groups. DP courses
can be taken at higher level (HL) or standard level (SC). At least three, and not
more than four, are taken at HL (240 teaching hours), while the remaining
courses are taken at SL (1 50 teaching hours). SL courses ensure students are
exposed to a range of disciplines that they might otherwise opt out of, and
HL courses allow students to spend more time with subjects they are more
interested in by exploring options in addition to the SL core curriculum. In this
sense, all DP courses, regardless of whether they are SL or HL are integral to
the programme. Students can study and take examinations in English, French
or Spanish. Two courses are classified as interdisciplinary, meaning that they
satisfy the requirements of more than one subject group.
• Literature and performance (studies in language and literature subject group
and the arts subject group)
• Environmental systems and societies (individuals and societies subject group
and sciences subject group)
In addition to disciplinary and interdisciplinary study, the DP features three
core elements that broaden students educational experience and challenge
them to apply their knowledge and skills.
The Diploma Programme core
The extended essay (EE) requires students to engage in independent
research through an in-depth study of a question relating to one of the DP
subjects they are studying. The world studies EE option allows students to
focus on a topic of global significance, which they examine through the lens of
at least two DP subjects.
Theory of knowledge (TOK) develops a coherent approach to learning
that unifies the academic disciplines in this course on critical thinking,
students inquire into the nature of knowing and deepen their understanding
of knowledge as a human construction.
Creativity, activity, service (CAS) emphasizes helping students to develop
their own identities in accordance with the ethical principles embodied
in the IB mission statement and the IB learner profile. CAS complements a
challenging academic programme in a holistic way, providing opportunities
for self-determination, collaboration, accomplishment and enjoyment. It
involves students in a range of activities alongside their academic studies
throughout the DP. -my three strands of CAS are creativity (exploring and
extending ideas leading to an original or interpretive product or performance),
activity (physical exertion contributing to a healthy lifestyle) and service
(Collaborative and reciprocal engagement with the community in response to
an authentic need).
Assessment
Students take written examinations at the end of the programme which are
marked by external IB examiners. Students also complete assessment tasks in
the school, which are either initially marked by teachers and then moderated
by external moderators or sent directly to external examiners. -me grades
awarded for each course range from 1 (lowest) to 7 (highest). Students can
also be awarded up to three additional points for their combined results on
TOK and the EE. The diploma is awarded to students who gain at least 24
points, subject to certain minimum levels of performance across the whole
programme and to satisfactory participation in the CAS requirement. The
highest total that a DP student can be awarded is 45 points. Assessment is
criterion-related, which means student performance is measured against
specified assessment criteria based on the aims and objectives of each
subject's curriculum, rather than the performance of other students taking the
same examinations.
Research
Whether conducted in collaboration with the IB or independently, research
generally, suggests that an IB education has a positive impact on schools,
students and teachers. Research plays a central role in the development,
quality assurance and assessment of impact of the IB programmes and
services. The IB conducts research in two key areas: programme impact
research, which investigates the implementation and impact of IB
programmes, and programme development research, which supports the
development review of all programme curriculum and pedagogy. Research
conducted both by the IB and external bodies show the [P curriculum and
assessment compares favourably to other qualifications. To review latest
research on the DP visit wwv.ibo.org/research.
Diploma Programme Subject Groups
Studies in language and literature
Language A: literature - 55 languages offered
Language A: language and literature=17 languages offered
Literature and performance (SL only) (also the arts subject group) - 3 languages offered
Language Acquisition
Language B—23 languages offered
Language ab initio (SL only)—12 languages offered
Classical languages—2 languages offered
Individuals and societies
Business management
Economics
Environmental systems and societies (SL only) (Also sciences subject groups)
Geography
Global politics
History
Information technology in a global society
Philosophy
Psychology
Social and cultural anthropology
World religions (SL only)
Sciences
Biology
Chemistry
Computer science
Design technology
Environmental systems and societies (SL only) (also individuals and societies subject group)
Physics
Sports, exercise and health science (SL only)
Mathematics
Mathematics HL
Mathematics SL
Mathematical studies SL
Further Mathematics HL
The Arts
Visual arts
Theatre
Music
Literature and performance (also studies in language and literature subject group)
Film
Dance
Diploma Programme courses online
Students can enrol in a range of authorized DP courses online
offered via their IB World School.
In addition to TOK and the CAS programme, choose 3 HL and 3 SL subjects for achieving IB Diploma.
Group 1
Studies in Language and Literature
(Compulsory)
|
Group 2
Language Acquisition (Any 1 Subject)
|
Group 3
Individuals and Societies
(Any 1 Subject)
|
Group 4
Sciences
(Any 1 Subject)
|
Group 5
Mathematics
(Any 1 Subject)
|
Group 6 (Optional)
The Arts
(Any I Subject)
|
English A: Language
and Literature HL/SL
|
Hindi B HL/SL
OR
French ab initio SL
OR
French B HL/SL
|
Business and Management
HL/SL
OR
Economics HL/SL
OR
Digital Society HL/SL
OR
Psychology HL/SL
OR
Environmental Systems
and Societies SL
|
Biology HL/SL
Chemistry HL/SL
Physics HL/SL
OR
Environmental Systems
and Societies SL
OR
Computer Science HL/SL
|
Mathematics HL/SL
Analysis & Approaches
OR
Mathematics HL/SL
Application & Interpretations
|
Visual Arts HI-ISL
|