IB DIPLOMA PROGRAMME
Preparing students for success in higher education and to be active participants in a global society.
The Diploma Programme (DP) is a curriculum framework designed by the International Baccalaureate (IB) for students in the last two years of high school. IB students graduating with the IB diploma are able to study at universities all around the world, often with advanced
credit. Students report that their involvement with the IB has given them the tools needed to succeed at college. In particular, students comment on their sense of preparedness, self-confidence, research skills and their ability to manage their time. Even more important, they have developed a sense of the world around them and their responsibility to it.
Through the DP, our school can develop students who:
credit. Students report that their involvement with the IB has given them the tools needed to succeed at college. In particular, students comment on their sense of preparedness, self-confidence, research skills and their ability to manage their time. Even more important, they have developed a sense of the world around them and their responsibility to it.
Through the DP, our school can develop students who:
Have excellent breadth and depth of knowledge
Flourish physically, intellectually, emotionally and ethically
Excel in traditional academic subjects
Explore the nature of knowledge through TOK
- DP CurriculumDP 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.Learn More
DP courses can be taken at a higher level (HL) or standard level (SL). 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.
The curriculum is made up of the DP core and six subject groups. Made up of the three required components, the DP core aims to broaden students’ educational experience and challenge them to apply their knowledge and skills.
Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature
English Language & Literature SL/HL;
Russian Literature SL/HL;
Hebrew Literature SSST SL;
Greek Literature SSST SL;
Ukrainian Literature SSST SL.
Group 2: Language Acquisition
English B SL/HL;
French B SL;
Spanish ab initio SL.
Group 3: Individuals & Societies
Business & Management SL/HL;
Economics SL/HL;
History SL/HL.
Group 4: Experimental science
Biology SL/HL;
Chemistry SL/HL;
Computer science SL/HL;
Physics SL/HL.
Group 5: Mathematics
Mathematics AI SL/HL;
Mathematics AA SL/HL.
Group 6: Arts
Film SL/HL;
Music SL;
Visual Arts SL/HL;
English Language & Literature SL/HL;
Russian Literature SL/HL;
Hebrew Literature SSST SL;
Greek Literature SSST SL;
Ukrainian Literature SSST SL.
Group 2: Language Acquisition
English B SL/HL;
French B SL;
Spanish ab initio SL.
Group 3: Individuals & Societies
Business & Management SL/HL;
Economics SL/HL;
History SL/HL.
Group 4: Experimental science
Biology SL/HL;
Chemistry SL/HL;
Computer science SL/HL;
Physics SL/HL.
Group 5: Mathematics
Mathematics AI SL/HL;
Mathematics AA SL/HL.
Group 6: Arts
Film SL/HL;
Music SL;
Visual Arts SL/HL;
Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature
English Literature SL/HL;
Russian Literature SL/HL;
Hebrew Literature SSST SL;
Ukrainian Literature SSST SL.
Group 2: Language Acquisition
English B HL;
Spanish ab initio SL.
Group 3: Individuals & Societies
Business & Management SL/HL;
Global Politics HL
Economics SL/HL;
History SL/HL.
Group 4: Experimental science
Biology SL/HL;
Chemistry SL/HL;
Computer science SL/HL;
Physics SL.
Group 5: Mathematics
Mathematics AI SL/HL;
Group 6: Arts
Film SL/HL;
Theatre HL
Visual Arts SL/HL;
English Literature SL/HL;
Russian Literature SL/HL;
Hebrew Literature SSST SL;
Ukrainian Literature SSST SL.
Group 2: Language Acquisition
English B HL;
Spanish ab initio SL.
Group 3: Individuals & Societies
Business & Management SL/HL;
Global Politics HL
Economics SL/HL;
History SL/HL.
Group 4: Experimental science
Biology SL/HL;
Chemistry SL/HL;
Computer science SL/HL;
Physics SL.
Group 5: Mathematics
Mathematics AI SL/HL;
Group 6: Arts
Film SL/HL;
Theatre HL
Visual Arts SL/HL;
- IB DP CoreThe extended essay (EE) introduces students to the demands and rewards of independent work. Emphasis is placed on conducting personal research and communicating ideas effectively to write a 4,000-word essay on a topic of personal interest.
Theory of knowledge (TOK) is an interdisciplinary course designed to help students question and understand how they know what they know. Students study how individuals from various disciplines view the world in order to develop their own ways of thinking. By stimulating analysis of knowledge across disciplines, TOK seeks to help students make sense of school and the world.
Creativity, activity, service (CAS) is an experiential learning component of the DP. Students complete a wide variety of extracurricular, community service and athletic options to fulfil this requirement.
FAQ
The DP is internationally recognised as representing one of the highest standards in university preparatory education. More than 1,000 colleges and universities in North America have recognition policies on how they weigh it in admissions, advanced standing, college credit and scholarships. A list of colleges and universities that grant credit, scholarships and/or advanced standing for DP diplomas and certificates is available at www.ibo.org.
The DP is a rigorous course of study for motivated students. That said, prior academic success is less an indicator of ability to earn the diploma than are a student’s determination to do his or her best, willingness to be organised to complete the work while leading a full, balanced life, and a strong commitment to learning in and beyond the classroom.
Absolutely. Most successful Diploma Programme students lead very full lives. They are often members of athletic teams and involved in a wide range of activities. Time management and organisation are key skills the IB develops in students.
The IB does not control how schools designate their Diploma Programme. In some instances, schools choose to designate the programme as a selective enrolment via application or as a magnet programme. In other cases, the programme is open to any student.
A 2012 study by the Consortium for Chicago School Research found that Diploma Programme students who graduated from 12 Chicago public schools were more likely to attend college, attend a selective college and persist in college for 2 years than a matched comparison group. Additional studies on programme impact are available at www.ibo.org/research.
All DP teachers receive professional development in the IB’s approaches to teaching and approaches to learning from certified IB workshop leaders. This is a requirement for IB World Schools implementing the DP.
The IB is committed to making sure that students in IB programmes meet and exceed local or national standards. With the implementation of any IB programme, schools are required to examine their curriculum carefully to ensure that there is alignment with local, state or national standards. More information on the IB and the Common Core is available at www.ibo.org.
The IB DP is a two-year comprehensive curriculum with a culminating set of externally graded final exams. IB, Advanced Placement (AP) and other college-preparatory curricula like Cambridge are all university-preparatory, academically rigorous programmes. There are important differences, however, in the content and exams. The DP is a cohesive and comprehensive programme, not a collection of individual courses as is the case with Advanced Placement. The most important distinguishing factor is the core of the Diploma Programme (CAS, TOK and extended essay).