International Baccalaureate Diploma Program

The IBDP (International Baccalaureate Diploma Program) is a post-secondary education programme, taken by students around the world between the ages of 16 and 18. It is an equivalent qualification to the UK’s A-Levels, the US’s AP exams, and the Scottish Highers System. The IBDP is internationally well-regarded, and can afford its students entry into universities and employment around the world.

The strength of the DP is in its depth and breadth. Students are immersed in a range of subjects (from six groups) and to depths of inquiry traditionally associated with programs that have fewer subject requirements, for example A-Levels. The core components of the DP – Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Extended Essay (EE) and C.A.S – bolster the traditional subjects and consolidate learning, knowledge and, perhaps most importantly, thinking skills and their application.

It is the breadth of knowledge, married with the depth to which each subject is studied, that really sets the IB apart.

Higher Level / Standard Level (HL/SL)

All 6 of the IBDP subjects carry a subject ‘level’; at least 3 subjects must be taken at Higher Level (HL), and no more than three are taken at Standard Level. Some students choose to take an additional HL subject, but it is advised to discuss this well in advance with your school or education provider. As a rough indication of the difficulty of each level, the IB advises approximately 240 hours of teaching time for HLs and 160 for SLs.

Theory of Knowledge (TOK)

One of the IB’s additional compulsory aspects is TOK (Theory of Knowledge). This, combined with the EE, constitutes the additional 3 bonus points that students may accrue. To fail both TOK & the EE is a failing condition of the Diploma, no matter the student’s academic attainment. Theory of Knowledge is an interdisciplinary study in critical thinking and encourages discussion of the extent & limits of knowledge in an epistemological fashion. Students are assessed through an essay and an in-class presentation.

Extended Essay (EE)

The other compulsory aspect of the 3 bonus points is the Extended Essay, a 4,000 word study in a subject and specific area of the student’s choice. Although students are usually strongly encouraged to write their EE in a subject area that they already take, the World Studies EE option represents an interdisciplinary Humanities-based option which is not a stand-alone IBDP subject.