What is an International Baccalaureate Diploma?

The latter years of a child’s academic journey are crucial and helping them choose the right curriculum tends to be an overwhelming experience. There are various qualifications available to teenagers and young adults who are willing to put in the work, one being the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. This is widely respected by leading universities all around the world because it provides students with the relevant skills and approach for higher education. The IB could be a suitable alternative to A Levels, setting a student up for a successful career. In fact, it is taught in over one hundred countries. I have teamed up with an international school in England to explore what’s involved in an IB diploma. 

First of all, it’s worth noting that the International Baccalaureate is an academically challenging programme, appropriate for students who flourish at traditional school subjects and have an excellent depth of knowledge. Of course, the diploma varies slightly from school to school, but typically a student must choose three subjects at higher level and three at standard level. These subjects are split into the following groups:

1. Language and Literature (in the student’s native language)
2. A Second Language
3. Humanities (Business, Economics, Geography, Politics, History, Psychology etc)
4. Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science, DT etc)
5. Mathematics
6. The Arts (Theatre, Music, Film, Dance etc)

Students must study one subject from each of the first five groups, and another from either group six or a second subject from one of the first five groups. In the six subjects, students will sit regulated exams and will also be graded on extended classroom tasks.

The course lasts for two years and helps students develop a range of key skills. By the end of the course, students should confidently be able to write an extended essay based on their own research, think critically, and apply their knowledge in a theoretical way. They will have a global perspective and become better independent, self-directed learners. As a result, they should be able to cope with demanding workloads, effectively manage their time and generally have a positive attitude towards their learning. 

The diploma also encourages students to partake in co-curricular activities, allowing them to expand on their personal development in addition to their academic achievements. They will also obtain life and leadership skills, which are looked favourably upon by universities across the globe. Generally speaking, the IB diploma is a fantastic option, particular for students who are internationally mobile. 

Hemant Kumar

Hemant Kumar is a project manager at Tridindia with more than nine years of commendable experience in writing about LMS, translation, and IT. His unmatched talent and passion for digital marketing gave him the opportunity to work as a multi-tasking project manager at TridIndia’s sister company, Link Building Corp. Today, he contributes to the world by imparting knowledge on SEO, link building and internet marketing etc., that helps business owners grow their online business.