Discovering the IB Diploma Programme
Getting ready for University with the IB Diploma Programme
What is the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme?
Founded in 1968 in Switzerland, the International Baccalaureate is a non-profit educational organisation based in Geneva. It is a recognised leader in the field of international education and is currently working with 3,500 schools in 143 countries to develop and offer IB programmes.
The IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) is a challenging two-year programme for students aged 16 to 18 years old. It prepares students for university and life in a global society. It aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.
To achieve these, students are encouraged to ask challenging questions, learn how to learn, and develop the ability to communicate and understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.
The IB Learner Profile
The IB defined a Learner Profile that describes a broad range of human capacities and responsibilities that go beyond academic success. It encompasses 10 attributes that are intricately built into all aspects of the IB.
The philosophy of the IB emphasizes inquiry-based learning, where students are empowered to explore new topics and themes rather than simply memorising syllabus content. This approach fosters a deeper conceptual understanding, encouraging students to take a holistic approach to knowledge acquisition and make real-life connections. Additionally, the IB encourages students to consider both local and global contexts, promoting international-mindedness and awareness of how their actions cam impact communities worldwide.
Collaboration is key in the IB philosophy, which fosters teamwork, social skills, and leadership development. Overall, it emphasises critical thinking and a commitment to lifelong learning and global citizenship.
The main components of the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP)
Subject assessment - IBDP students take six subjects: three at Higher Level (HL) and three at Standard Level (SL), which they chose from a list of subjects. These must come from each of the subject blocks which are Language and Literature, Language Acquisition, Individuals and Societies, Sciences, Mathematics and The Arts.
Alongside these six subjectsm there is a compulsory programme called the Core, which is central to the philosophy of the IB Diploma Programme. It includes 3 main elements:
The Extended Essay (EE) – Students engage in independent research through the in-depth study of a question related to one of the DP subjects they are studying. The EE has a prescribed limit of 4,000 words and equips students with the independent research and writing skills expected at university.
Theory of Knowledge (ToK) – Theory of Knowledge (TOK) nurtures intellectual curiosity by fostering critical thinking and reflective exploration of the nature of knowledge. Students are encouraged to examine their assumptions and gain insight into the multitude of perspectives that exist.
Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) – The CAS programme promotes student engagement in diverse activities alongside academics over 18 months. It encompasses Creativity, fostering artistic expression and creative thinking; Activity, promoting physical well-being; and Service, encouraging community involvement. CAS emphasises exploration and experience over success, encouraging personal growth, interpersonal skills, and balanced individuals. It's a reflective journey critical for passing the IBDP, as it operates on a pass/fail basis.
Internal and external assessment
Regular internal assessment tracks progress and supports continuous growth, and students are encouraged to reflect on their progress. In the last week of April of the second year of the IBDP, students sit IB Diploma examinations based on two years’ worth of teaching materials.
The total number of points from subject assessment is up to 42 points, and the Core attributes a maximum of 3 points. The highest total score for the IB Diploma that may be awarded is 45 points. The IB Diploma is awarded to students who gain at least 24 points, subject to certain minimal levels of performance across the whole Diploma and to satisfactory completion of Creativity, Activity and Service requirements.
Two different kinds of diplomas
The IB Diploma is recognised in all German regions as an equivalent to the Abitur, when the right subject combination is attained.
The IB offers two different programmes which share the same philosophy but with different objectives.
The IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) provides a recognised entrance qualification to leading universities across the globe, including Oxford University, Yale University, Stanford University, University of The Sorbonne or Princeton University.
The IB Careers-Related Programme (IBCP) runs as an alternative pathway for students who have a greater interest in pursuing business careers and apprenticeships upon leaving school. The course is designed to give the student ownership of what they learn and how they learn it. There is significantly more flexibility in the course structure and it leads to higher education, apprenticeships or direct employment.
The IB programme develops our students´ analytical skills and build their knowledge base. It develops their critical-thinking, develops them into well-rounded life-long learners and is an excellent preparation for the complexities of the modern world.
Our students at St- George´s perform consistently above world average results. In 2023, more than a third of our students achieved an IB score between 39 and 45 points, giving them access to top universities such as Oxford and TUM in Munich.
