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You may have heard of the International Baccalaureate. This is a term that is becoming more and more common in schools all over the world. The International Baccalaureate Organisation offers four educational programmes for children between the age of three-years-old and 19. The International Baccalaureate Diploma programme is designed for those between 16 and 19-years-old. In this post, we will provide further information about this programme and the benefits that are to be gained by choosing it, so you can determine whether or not this is the best route for you to get into university.

How does the IB Diploma Programme work?

The IB Diploma Programme is split into six groups and you must select six subjects. You need to choose one subject from the first five groups. The last subject can be chosen from group six or you may be allowed to choose a substitute from one of the other groups. The groups are as follows…

• Group 1 – Studies in language and literature. This will typically be the native language of the student.

• Group 2 – An additional language. As well as choosing a second language, you could opt for Classical Greek or Latin.

• Group 3 – Humanities and social sciences. This includes everything from history and geography to psychology and philosophy.

• Group 4 – Experimental Sciences. Not only does this incorporate physics, biology, and chemistry, but also sport, exercise, and health science as well as design technology.

• Group 5 – Mathematics. There are various levels of difficulty to choose from.

• Group 6 – The arts, including film, visual arts, theatre, music, and dance.

In order to be awarded the diploma, there are three core requirements you must fulfill aside from passing the examinations for your subjects. These are as follows…

1. Creativity, action, service (CAS) – Requires students to become responsible members of their community by dedicating three to four hours of their time per week.

2. Theory of knowledge (TOK) – This is a critical thinking course. Students must complete an essay of 1,200 – 1,600 words.

3. Extended Essay (EE) – Students must complete a 4,000-word essay on a topic from one of the six subjects they are studying.

What are the benefits of the IB Diploma Programme?

• This programme is recognised in most countries, with recognition growing by the day. It is accepted by all universities in the UK. In fact, this, combined with the ease people have when they go to find student accommodation and the opportunities in the UK are why so many international students prefer to come here.

• The programme provides a balanced mix of different subjects. This opens the door to more opportunities for students in the future.

• Students aren’t only evaluated via examination, but also by essays and they can enhance their grade with the CAS portion of the programme.

• The programme prepares people well for university because it encourages critical thinking, which is often not the case with other curriculums.

• Students are evaluated over a two-year period.

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is certainly worth considering. There are a lot of benefits to be gained by going for this course and a diploma is one that will be well respected and highly regarded. However, A Levels are still very much worth their salt too, so this is not a decision to be made lightly.