What is International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP)?
The International Baccalaureate® (IB) is a non-for-profit foundation and a global leader in international education — developing inquiring, knowledgeable, confident, and caring young people.
IB programmes empower school-aged students to take ownership in their own learning and help them develop future-ready skills to make a difference and thrive in a world that changes fast.
Today, the IB works with almost 5,500 schools in over 160 countries and offers three academic programmes and one career-related programme to over 1.9 million students worldwide.
Established in 1968, the International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) was the first programme offered by the IB and is taught to students aged 16-19.
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How does IBDP programme work?
The IBDP is an international and enquiry-based programme that takes students onto a journey of becoming academically independent learners. IBDP’s mission is “to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.
To this end the organization works with schools, governments, and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment” (IBO, 2019).
The Diploma Programme (DP) curriculum is made up of six subject groups and the DP core. Through the Diploma Programme (DP) core, students reflect on the nature of knowledge (Theory of Knowledge - TOK), complete independent research (Extended Essay - EE) and undertake a project that often involves community service (Creativity, Activity, Service - CAS).
There are different courses within each subject group which students must choose from, however, in general, all IBDP students will study two languages, one science, one maths and one humanistic subject.
Alternatively, a candidates may substitute a course from the Arts subject group for a course in either the Language and literature, Language acquisition, or Individuals and societies subject groups.
Out of six subjects they choose for their IB Diploma, three of those subjects must be studied at the Higher Level (HL) and three at the Standard Level (SL).