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IB Diploma Programme (DP)

We cater to students studying many IB Diploma Programme courses.

The IB Diploma Programme (DP) is a two-year programme primarily aimed at students aged 16 to 19 years. It provides an internationally accepted qualification for entry into higher education and is recognized by many universities worldwide. The full DP programme can be undertaken in English, Spanish and French, with elements available in Japanese, German, Chinese, Arabic, and Turkish.

The DP Core

The DP core is an integral and compulsory component of the Diploma Programme Curriculum, and aims to broaden students' educational experience and challenge them to apply their knowledge and skills. The three core elements are as follows:

Theory of Knowledge

Theory of Knowledge (TOK) is assessed through an oral presentation and a 1,600 word essay, and is mandatory for all students. It asks students to reflect on the nature of knowledge, and on how we know what we claim to know.

As part of TOK, each student chooses one essay title from six issued by the IB. The titles change in each examination session. Examples of upcoming and past questions include:

  • To what extent are areas of knowledge shaped by their past? Consider with reference to two areas of knowledge.
  • "There is no reason why we cannot link facts and theories across disciplines and create a common groundwork of explanation." To what extent do you agree with this statement?
  • "There is no such thing as a neutral question." Evaluate this statement with reference to two areas of knowledge.
  • "The task of history is the discovering of the constant and universal principles of human nature." To what extent are history and one other area of knowledge successful in this task?

Students also take part in a presentation, which can be done individually or in a group of up to three people.

Below is a link to the subject brief for TOK:

Click here to view the Theory of Knowledge page of the IB website for more information.

Extended Essay

The Extended Essay is an independent, self-directed piece of research finishing with a 4,000-word paper and is compulsory for all students. It provides students with a practical preparation for undergraduate research, as well as an opportunity to investigate a topic of personal interest that relates to one of their chosen six DP subjects.

Extended Essays cover a diverse range of topics, some examples include:

  • An analysis of costume as a source for understanding the inner life of the character.
  • A study of malnourished children in Indonesia and the extent of their recovery after a period of supervised improved nutrition.
  • Doing versus being: language and reality in the Mimamsa school of Indian philosophy.
  • The effects of sugar-free chewing gum on the pH of saliva in the mouth after a meal.
  • "To what extent has the fall in the exchange rate of the US dollar affected the tourist industry in Carmel, California?"
  • "What level of data compression in music files is acceptable to the human ear?"

The Extended Essay can also take the interdisciplinary approach of a "World Studies" extended essay, where students carry out an in-depth interdisciplinary study of an issue of contemporary global significance, across two IB diploma disciplines.

Below is a link to the subject brief for the Extended Essay:

Click here to view the Extended Essay page of the IB website for more information.

Creativity, Activity, Service

Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) involves students in a range of activities that they must complete throughout the Diploma Programme alongside their academic studies. It is not formally assessed, however students reflect on their CAS experiences as part of the DP and provide evidence of achieving the seven learning outcomes for CAS. These are:

  • Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth.
  • Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process.
  • Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience.
  • Show commitment to, and perseverance in, CAS experiences.
  • Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively.
  • Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance.
  • Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions.

Below is a link to the subject brief for CAS:

Click here to view the CAS page of the IB website for more information.

DP Subjects

The IB Diploma Programme includes numerous courses from six different subject groups. These are:

Students select one course from each subject group, however The Arts may be replaced with another subject, other than Mathematics. At least two languages must be studied. All courses are designed to span two years, and are assessed with the same level of rigour and equally weighted.

At least three courses must be taken at Higher Level (HL). Standard Level (SL) courses typically span 150 hours of instruction, and Higher Level (HL) courses typically span 240 hours of instruction.

Use the links on the left to learn more about the IB Diploma Programme.

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