International Baccalaureate or IB is an international level curriculum that helps in the intellectual and personal development of students. Students in the age group of 3 to 19 years can pursue the IB curriculum.
The IB Diploma Programme or IBDP is an internationally acclaimed curriculum that provides a gateway for higher education and is accepted by global universities. The IB Diploma course is gaining popularity as it inspires a quest for learning and lifelong love and enthusiasm for learning.
International Baccalaureate students are made to think positively with an open mind and are exposed to real-world, complex situations that prepare a strong ground for them to face future challenges confidently. IB learners endeavor to become inquirers, thinkers, knowledgeable, balanced, reflective, caring and these attributes contribute to their holistic growth.
The well-known IB Diploma course is for students between 16 to 19 years of age group and it is a two years’ course. It provides a balanced and advanced education that prepares the student for higher education and future success. The excellently designed curriculum provides a clear direction for the intellectual, emotional, social, and physical growth and well-being of students.
IB Diploma course helps students develop immaculate skills like:
● Complete knowledge enhancement
● Physical, emotional, intellectual, social, and ethical development
● Able to gain knowledge on two languages minimum
● Well-rounded students
● Discover the knowledge through the excellent theory of knowledge course
● Escalating personal and interpersonal development with creativity, action, and service
● Perform exhaustive research as per the student’s interest through academic subjects in the extended essay
The IB Diploma course curriculum consists of DP Core and six subjects. The DP Core is again built upon three components that include:
Theory of Knowledge
Theory of knowledge where a student is assessed based on oral presentation and an essay. In this core, there is a rational approach towards learning wherein the student displays critical thinking abilities and becomes inquirers of the nature of knowledge, and deepens their understanding of knowledge.
Extended Essay
The extended essay is an intense research process where the students develop the ability to analyze, synthesize and evaluate knowledge. Students carry out independent research based on the topic of their interest that is related to one of the six DP subjects or through an interdisciplinary approach of World Studies.
Creativity, Activity, Service, or CAS
Creativity, activity, service, or CAS is where students must compulsorily participate from an array of experiences and at least in one project. These activities should be related to real-life scenarios, students’ interests, personal challenges and needs to be purposeful. CAS helps students in personal and interpersonal development through experiential learning and students are in the phase of self-discovery.
In the IB Diploma course, the curriculum is offered in two levels, the Standard Level (SL) and the Higher Level (HL). Students can choose to study a few subjects in the HL and a few in the SL. Though the courses differ in the HL and SL in terms of scope, they are required to display an increased knowledge, understanding, and skill at a higher level. The teaching hours are 150 hours in SL and 240 hours in HL. The maximum number of subjects to be taken in higher level is four and the rest of the subjects to be taken in standard level.
The subject selection in the IB Diploma course is very different wherein a student needs to choose one subject from groups 1 to 5 that includes the theory of knowledge, languages, social sciences, experimental sciences, and mathematics.
Apart from this, they need to select an arts subject from group 6 or a second one from groups 1 to 5. Examinations are conducted in English, French, and Spanish languages.
Two of the IB Diploma course subjects are classified as interdisciplinary subjects like:
● Literature and performance – Group 1 to 6
● Environmental systems – Groups 3 and 4
There are six major subject groups in the IB Diploma course with varied courses in each of them. The main subjects include:
● Studies in language and literature
● Language acquisition
● Individuals and societies
● Sciences
● Mathematics
● The Arts
Also Read: How to Choose IB Subjects?
What are the Requirements to Join as an IB Diploma Course Student?
● To get enrolled in six International Baccalaureate subjects and take the exam in each one of them.
● Writing an original essay of 4000 words (related to extended essay).
● Compulsorily taking Theory of Knowledge class for a period of two years.
● Mandatory participation in Creativity, Actions, Services or CAS and meet the requirements to show that the learning outcomes are met.
Assessment Process
The final evaluation is conducted by external evaluators. In all the subjects, one assessment is evaluated by the school teachers based on oral exercises in language subjects, projects, student portfolios, reports, class presentations, practical laboratory work, mathematical investigations, and artistic performances.
External evaluation happens on written assignments or tasks for language subjects in groups 1 and 2, the essay for the theory of knowledge, and the extended essay. The marks provided are on a scale of 1 as the lowest and 7 as the highest. A diploma is awarded to students with at least 24 points, subject to their participation in creativity, action, and service.
The International Baccalaureate programmes, including the IB Diploma course that is committed to the development of students based on the attributes in the IB Learner profile. These 10 attributes are very important that will help them to grow as responsible citizens of the local, national and global communities. The attributes that are aimed at the development include:
● Inquirers
● Knowledgeable
● Thinkers
● Communicators
● Principled
● Open-minded
● Caring
● Risk-takers
● Balanced
● Reflective
The International Baccalaureate is one of the best international curricula globally acclaimed that encourages students to think critically. IB students are more confident in facing challenges and solving problems as they are exposed to real-life situations.
Students of IB schools in Tokyo with an IB Diploma course certificate have higher education opportunities in the top universities across the globe. IB school students generally perform better in academics as they demonstrate powerful academic, social, and emotional characteristics.
Students explore the joy of self-learning, and the curriculum aims at creating a better world through intercultural understanding and respect. This programme aims at the overall development of students and makes them lifelong learners who understand the emotions and actions of others.
