Diploma Programme

An Overview of the IB Diploma Programme

Diploma Programme

• “The International Baccalaureate Organization’s Diploma Programme was created in 1968. It is a demanding pre-university course of study that leads to examinations. It is designed for highly

motivated secondary school students aged 16 to 19. “

Diploma Programme

IB Diploma Programme – Key Points• Internationally accepted qualification taught across the world (currently

1496 schools authorised, 101 in the UK)

• University entrance level examination

• Broad, balanced curriculum. Ideal compromise between specialisation and breadth

• Theory of Knowledge. Helping students to learn how they learn

• Extended Essay

• Creativity, Action and Service. Educating the whole person

• Encouraging students to appreciate other cultures and attitudes, and to be informed, tolerant and willing to communicate with others

Diploma Programme

Three Key Themes of the I.B.O.

Intellectual Challenge

Learning for a Purpose/Service

Intercultural Understanding

The Diploma Programme

The I.B.O.’s Goal:

To provide students with the values and opportunities that will enable them

 to develop sound judgment, make wise choices, and respect others

 in the global community.

The Diploma Programme

The Diploma Program equips students with the skills and 

attitudes necessary for success in higher education and employment.

What makes the DP different?

• Comprehensive two-year international curriculum

• International standards appliedEqually to other schools

• Rigorous assessment

What makes the DP different?

• IB Diploma holders have accessto world’s leading universities

• IB Diploma holders are well preparedfor university work

Diploma Programme

Curriculum Model

According to the IB curriculum model, there are six ‘groups’ and the students take one subject from

each group

What does the IB diploma programme consist of ?

• Each student takes 6 subjects (plus Theory of Knowledge and CAS and an Extended Essay….)

• 3 subjects are taken at Higher Level (HL) : 240 hours in 2 years

• 3 subjects are taken at Standard Level (SL) : 150 hours in 2 years

Along with the six subjects, each diploma candidate will do:

• Another course called Theory of Knowledge

• An ‘Extended Essay’

• Creativity, Action and Service (CAS)

Diploma Programme

Higher or Standard level?

• 3 subjects at Higher, 3 at Standard

• Higher Level is broadly similar in standard

• Higher level required to be taught for 240 hours, Standard level for 150 hours

GROUP 1

• LANGUAGE A1• This is usually the study of the candidate’s

first language (mother tongue)• The language can be studied at Higher or

Standard level• The course is literature based

GROUP 1

• LANGUAGE A1• Students may study English or

Mandarin within the curriculum…• Or they may study their own

Language A privately with school supervision.

GROUP 2

• LANGUAGE B• This is the study of a second language as a foreign

language.• The main focus is on language acquisition and

development.• The second language can also be studied at either

Higher or Standard Level• A common combination of languages at our school

would be English A with Mandarin B OR Mandarin A with English B.

GROUP 2

• LANGUAGE Ab Initio• A second language can also be studied at Ab

Initio level.• Ab Initio is designed for students with little

or no previous experience of the language.• It can only be studied at Standard level.

GROUP 3• INDIVIDUALS AND SOCIETY

• The subjects available at MXIS are:

•Economics•Geography•History

GROUP 4• EXPERIMENTAL SCIENCES

At MXIS we offer:»Biology»Chemistry SL»Physics

GROUP 5• MATHEMATICS

At MXIS, we offer a range of maths courses to accommodate the different ability and interest groups

• Mathematics HL• Mathematics SL• Maths Studies (SL)

GROUP 6

• THE ARTS AND ELECTIVES• Visual arts• A second science or a second Group 3

subject.• All are available at HL or SL

ELECTIVES

• Instead of taking one of the arts courses in Group 6, the students may choose an additional subject from one of the other groups.

• This allows students to specialise a little bit, as they might want to do two social sciences, or two experimental sciences

Examples of Diploma ProgrammesLiberal ArtsStream

Science Stream

Business Stream

Arts Stream Math Stream

MXIS Diploma / IBCertificate

Group 1 Language A1 Language A1 Language A1 Language A1 Language A1

Language A1

Group 2 Language B Language B Language B Language B Language B Language B

Group 3 History / Geography

Geography Geography / history

History / Geography

Geography History / Geography

Group 4 Physics / Biology

Physics / Biology

Physics / Biology

Physics / Biology

Physics Physics / Biology

Group 5 Math Studies Math Studies / Math SHL

Math Studies / Math SHL

Math Studies / Math SHL

Math HL Math Studies

Group 6 / Elective

Visual Arts / Chemistry SL / Economics

Chemistry SL / Economics

Economics / Chemistry SL

Visual Arts Chemistry SL / Economics

Visual Arts / Chemistry SL/Economics

Note: subjects will be assigned depending on the courses taken during middle school, esp. for MXIS diploma / IB certificate.

The CoreTheory of Knowledge

The Extended Essay

Creativity, Action and Service (CAS)

Diploma Programme

Theory of Knowledge

Ways of knowing: perception, reasoning, language, emotion

How is knowledge developed in the main subject areas?

Assessment by presentation and externally marked essay.

Some recent essay titles:

•Can a machine know?•Can literature tell the truth better than arts or other areas of knowledge?

Diploma Programme

The Extended EssayA dissertation

4000 word piece of original research which is externally marked

40 hours work minimum

Research topic selected by student with guidance from subject supervisor

Diploma Programme

Examples of Extended Essays

What are the key factors John Williams employs to create an original soundtrack that is aurally appealing and a skilful underscore?

Captain Corelli’s Mandolin: to what extent is there a relationship between culture and identity?

Is artificial intelligence real intelligence? An analysis of internet systems and algorithms behind them

Can there be any moral justification for the recent war in Iraq?

To what extent can the defence of Thermopylae and Artemisium be seen as a turning point in the Persian Wars?

Does the amount of limonene found in an orange peel vary between the Valencia oranges grown in different countries?

Diploma Programme

CASExperiential Learning

150 hours over the course of two years

Must be completed to pass the diploma

Changes students’ perceptions and takes them out of their comfort zone

Engenders a sense of responsibility, awareness of self-worth and ability to work as part of a team

Diploma Programme

Examples of CAS•Working with external voluntary organisations e.g. •Language teaching in primary school•Coaching ,Mentoring, Choir, Band , Orchestra •Projects and expeditions abroad •Rugby, football, tennis, dance, swimming •Events for the schools and local community•Participation in international conferences•Fundraising for charities

Diploma Programme

IB Points

Each subject HL or SL is graded on a 1 to 7 scale

Total points from 6 subjects 42

TOK & the Extended Essay provide 3 more points

24 points necessary to pass

Diploma Programme

ASSESSMENT

• A total of 24 points is required for a Diploma to be awarded.

• In addition, students must score at least 12 points in their three Higher level subjects (with no grade 2)….

• … and at least 9 points in their three Standard level subjects (and no more that one grade 2).

ASSESSMENT

• EXAMS – In most courses, about 80% of the assessment is based on final exams which are held in May of the Grade 12 year.

• ‘Mock exams’ are held to to simulate the final examinations as closely as possible.

• The real exams in May are all sent off to be marked by IB examiners.

ASSESSMENT

• INTERNAL ASSESSMENT – Most IB courses have an element of ‘assessed coursework’. This usually counts for at least 20% of the final grade.

• The coursework is graded internally by teachers and then samples are sent to the IB for ‘moderation’.

ASSESSMENT

• INTERNAL ASSESSMENT –A warning!• “the candidate not providing work by the

internal school deadline… is unacceptable”. (IBO, Vade Mecum)

• “No work for internal assessment… will result in no grade being awarded for the subject concerned”.

• Meet the deadlines!

All IB Programmes

What we aim to achieveThe IB ‘Learner Profile’

Students who will be:

• Inquirers• Thinkers• Communicators• Risk-takers• Knowledgeable

• Principled• Caring• Open-minded• Well-balanced• Reflective

Advantages

• Breadth and balance• Flexibility• Structure and momentum – commitment and

motivation• The Theory of Knowledge – making sense of

learning• Results• Suits a wide variety of students• International and free from interference

Is there an alternative to the IB diploma ?

• YES !• The IB diploma is a demanding academic programme that is

not suited to all students• It is not unusual for a student to choose to do “IB

Certificates”• They usually take the same number of courses, but are not

confined to the same rules of the diploma.• They might do 4 SL courses and 2 HL courses.• They might not take an “A Language” and do two “B

Language” courses.• Students who do IB Certificates do NOT do the Extended

Essay, nor do they take TOK.• Instead, they take a General Studies course which is not an

IB course.

If my child doesn’t do the full diploma, will she or he still be

accepted into a university ?

• Very likely!• There will be information about universities for

you on other occasions, but IB courses are widely recognised and respected in universities and colleges around the world

When does my child choose his or her IB subjects and decide whether or not

to do the full diploma ?• Before the final year (Grade 12), all IB

teachers will assess the students.• They will indicate whether they think a

student could do the HL or SL course in their subject.

Who gets this information ?

• The information will come to the IBDPC first and will then be given to the students.

• Parents will then have a chance to discuss it with them and devise an “IB package” of courses

• In some cases students will want to do courses for which they were not ‘recommended’. In such cases, further discussion and interviews will be conducted

How do MXIS students do at IB?

• About 50% of students enter for the IB Diploma

• Most of them are successful.

• These results are significantly better than the results of other IB schools.

The programme is

very demanding and

not everyone who

tries receives a

diploma

© IBO 2004

Some 80% of candidates who

attempt the diploma succeed in earning it

A letter from one student, who did not receive a diploma, to another:

“The tangible reward of getting 

The IB diploma was something to strive for but…

The IB program did us all good through

 less tangible, more abstract ways…

It wasn’t just an education of the mind, 

but also an education and deepening 

of the soul.”

‘The next generation needs a more subtle and sophisticated form of education…. Unless the

next generation is brought up so as to stimulate, liberate and educate its propensity

to make friends across frontiers, we, the educators, are failing in our duty.’

Alec Peterson

All IB Programmes

Useful web addresses

IBO public websitewww.ibo.org

IBSCA (IB Schools and Colleges Association)http://www.ibsca.org.uk