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What makes the Diploma Programme special?
The IB Diploma Programme is an academically challenging and balanced programme of education that prepares students, usually aged 16-19, for success at university and life beyond. The programme is normally taught in the student’s 11th and 12th year of school.

Diploma students take six subjects and they write a 4,000 word extended essay, complete a course in theory of knowledge, and get involved in a number of creativity, action and service (CAS) projects.

Thanks to its rigorous external assessment with global standards the IB Diploma is a qualification welcomed by universities in Europe, the US, Australia and most other countries worldwide.

Today over 1,650 international and national schools have adopted the IB programme in 125 countries. The official languages of the IB are English, French and Spanish, but some subjects are also offered in German and Chinese.

The IB Diploma Programme tries to teach more than a collection of facts.

Students are encouraged to:

  • ask challenging questions
  • learn how to learn
  • develop a strong sense of their own identity and culture
  • develop the ability to communicate with and understand people from other countries and cultures
  • become independent, self-motivated learners.

The Curriculum

German School Manila - IB Curriculum

IB Diploma Programme students study six courses. Students must choose one subject from each subject group 1-5, thus ensuring breadth of experience in languages, social studies, the experimental sciences and mathematics.

The sixth subject may be an arts subject chosen from group 6, or the student may choose another subject from groups 1 to 5. At least three and not more than four subjects are taken at higher level (recommended 240 teaching hours), the others at standard level (150 teaching hours).

In addition the programme has three core requirements that are included to broaden the educational experience and challenge students to apply their knowledge and understanding.

  • The extended essay is a requirement for students to engage in independent research. It has a prescribed limit of 4,000 words

The extended essay offers the opportunity to investigate a topic of individual interest and familiarizes students with the independent research and writing skills expected at university.

  • Theory of knowledge is a course designed to provide coherence and to encourage each student to explore the nature of knowledge by critically examining different ways of knowing and different kinds of knowledge. As a part of this objective it encourages an appreciation of other cultural perspectives
  • Creativity, action, service requires that students actively learn from the experience of getting involved in real tasks beyond the classroom.

Assessment in the Diploma Programme
Students are assessed both internally and externally in ways that measure individual performance against stated objectives for each subject.

Internal Assessment
In most subjects at least some of the assessment is carried out internally by teachers, who mark individual pieces of work produced as part of a course of study. Examples include:

  • oral exercises in language subjects
  • projects
  • student portfolios
  • class presentations
  • practical laboratory work
  • mathematical investigations
  • artistic performances.

External Assessment
Some assessment tasks are conducted and overseen by teachers without the restrictions of examination conditions, but are then marked externally by examiners. Examples include:

  • world literature assignments for language A1
  • written assignments for language A2
  • essays for theory of knowledge and extended essays.

Because of the greater degree of objectivity and reliability provided by the standard examination environment, externally marked examinations form the greatest share of the assessment for most subjects.

The grading system is criterion-based (results are determined by performance against set standards, not by each student’s position in the overall rank order). This strategy serves to achieve a maximum in validity, reliability and fairness.

University recognition of the IB Diploma
The IB diploma is widely recognized by the world’s leading universities. The IBO works closely with universities in all regions of the world to gain recognition for the IB diploma. To aid the process the IB provides:

  • Direct, online access for university admissions officers and government officials to syllabuses and recent examination papers
  • A database containing contact details of universities around the world together with up-to-date information about their requirements for admission to assist IB diploma students in making appropriate choices

Students applying to a particular university can access their grades directly from the IBO’s secure web site.

How is a school authorized?
Any school wishing to offer the Diploma programme must be authorized by the IBO.

  • Schools must go through an intensive authorization process that lasts at least two years covering two key stages
  • First key stage includes:
    • easibility study and identification of resources
      • obtaining appropriate publications
      • examining the programme’s philosophy and curriculum
      • conduct a feasibility study on possible outcomes
      • arrange for staff to undertake IBO-approved training.
  • Second key stage is a visit from an IBO team to:
    • consult those involved in implementation
    • evaluate the school’s readiness to implement the programme
    • complete a report on the school’s commitment and ability to deliver the programme.