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IF YOU WANT to study a wide range of subjects at a detailed level, the International Baccalaureate Diploma may be for you. It's designed for highly motivated students, and is offered by a growing number of schools and colleges. |
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The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme is an internationally recognised qualification for students aged 16 to 19. It is based around detailed academic study of a wide range of subjects, including languages, the arts, science, maths, history and geography.
It leads to a single qualification, rather than separate qualifications for individual subjects. However if you don't achieve the full diploma, you'll be awarded a certificate for each subject taken.
It's designed to encourage you to learn how to learn, ask challenging questions, develop a strong sense of your own identity and culture, and develop the ability to communicate with and understand people from other countries and cultures.
The IB Diploma Programme is at level 3 on the National Qualifications Framework.
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Most of the assessment is done through exams, marked externally. However, in nearly all subjects, some of the assessment is carried out by your teachers, who mark individual pieces of coursework.
The diploma normally takes two years to complete, with exams taking place in May and November.
You are awarded points for each part of the programme, up to a maximum of 45:
- up to seven points for each of the six optional subjects you take;
- up to three points from your performance in the core elements.
To achieve a full diploma, you must score 24 points or more.
From 2008 entry onwards, successfully completing the diploma will officially count towards your UCAS tariff for getting into higher education.
An IB Diploma total of 24 points will earn 280 UCAS points - the same as two Bs and a C grade at A-level.
The maximum of 45 points will earn 768 UCAS points - equivalent to more than 6 A-levels at Grade A.
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The IB Diploma is available in more than 70 schools and colleges in the UK, both state and independent, and can be taken in English, French or Spanish. It is suitable for highly motivated students and those who want to study a wide range of subjects at a detailed level.
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What subjects are available? |
The IB Diploma programme is made up of a compulsory 'core', plus six separate
subjects where you have some choice over what you study.
The compulsory core contains three elements:
theory of knowledge: you'll learn
about the bases of knowledge, and how to analyse evidence and express
yourself in rational argument; you'll also be encouraged to draw on experiences
you've gained outside the classroom |
creativity, action and service: this
part of the programme encourages you to get involved in theatre or music
activities, sports and/or community service |
extended essay: you'll investigate
a particular topic of interest and be asked to write a 4,000 word essay
about it |
As well as the three core elements, you'll also select one subject from each
of the following six areas:
first language (normally your mother
tongue) |
second language (this could be a
language you already study, or a new one) |
experimental sciences (biology, chemistry,
physics, design technology) |
mathematics and computer science |
the arts (visual, music and theatre) |
individuals and society (history,
psychology, geography) |
Normally, you'll study three of your six optional subjects at a ' higher' level
(240 teaching hours per subject), and the other three at a 'standard' level
(150 teaching hours). However, you can also opt to take four subjects at the
higher level and two at the standard level.
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Most students who take the IB Diploma Programme go on to higher education; the qualification is recognised by universities in more than 100 countries. However, you may be asked to gain a certain number of points at the 'higher' level in specific subjects if you want to study a particular course.
You could also use the qualification as the route to a job, or to work-based training.
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Directgov - International Baccalaureate Diploma
www.direct.gov.uk/...
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