Diploma Programme
© IBO 2002
IBO Mission Statement
The International Baccalaureate
Organization aims to develop inquiring,
knowledgeable and caring young
people who help to create a better and
more peaceful world through
intercultural understanding and
respect.
© IBO 2002
To this end the IBO works with schools,
governments and international organizations to
develop challenging programmes of international
education and rigorous assessment.
These programmes encourage students across
the world to become active, compassionate and
lifelong learners who understand that other
people, with their differences, can also be right.
Diploma Programme
The Diploma
Programme
equips students
with the skills and attitudes
necessary for success in
higher education and
employment
© IBO 2002
Diploma Programme
The Diploma
Programme

demanding two-year
pre-university course
leading to examinations

for highly motivated
students

for ages 16 to 19
© IBO 2002
Diploma Programme
What makes the Diploma
Programme different?
comprehensive
two-year international
curriculum
 international standards,
applied equally
to all schools
 rigorous assessment

© IBO 2002
Diploma Programme
What makes the Diploma
Programme different?
combines breadth
with depth
 emphasizes critical,
compassionate
thinking
 promotes global
vision

© IBO 2002
Diploma Programme
International
1330 Diploma Programme schools in 119
countries
(October 2005)
30,000 diploma candidates examined in
2005
© IBO 2002
Diploma Programme
Universities
IB diploma holders
have access to the world’s leading universities
are well prepared for university work
© IBO 2002
Diploma Programme
Sample Diploma Program
English A1
Higher Level
French B
Standard Level
History of America
Higher Level
Biology
Higher Level
Math Studies
Standard Level
Visual Arts
Standard Level
Diploma Programme
Choice
Schools: Choose courses and framework for
the programme
Teachers: Choose topics and
curriculum options to meet needs of
their students & their own interests
Students: Choose parts of assessment, and
are given the opportunity to demonstrate
what they know, not what they don’t know
Diploma Programme
the curriculum
group 1
language A1
group 2
group 3
second
language
experimental
sciences
group 4
extended
essay
Theory of
Knowledge
creativity, action,
service
the arts
individuals and
societies
mathematics
group 5
© IBO 2002
group 6
Diploma Programme
Theory of Knowledge
(TOK)
extended essay
Theory of
Knowledge
creativity, action,
service
stimulates critical
reflection on
knowledge and
experience
students examine the
grounds for moral,
political and aesthetic
judgments
© IBO 2002
Diploma Programme
. . . wise choices
TOK challenges students
 to
extended essay
Theory of
Knowledge
creativity, action,
service
question the bases of
knowledge
 to be aware of
subjective and
ideological biases
 to develop the ability to
analyse evidence
© IBO 2002
Diploma Programme
TOK is a key
element
extended essay
Theory of
Knowledge
in encouraging
students to appreciate
other cultural
perspectives
creativity, action,
service
© IBO 2002
Diploma Programme
The whole person
Creativity, action, service (CAS)
helps students become responsible,
compassionate citizens
© IBO 2002
Diploma Programme
Creativity
Interpreted broadly:
arts activities
but also creativity shown in designing and
implementing service projects
© IBO 2002
Diploma Programme
Action
Participation in individual and team sports
but also taking part in expeditions,
local and international projects
© IBO 2002
Diploma Programme
Service
Community and social service activities, for example:
helping children with special needs
visiting hospitals
working with refugees or homeless people
© IBO 2002
Diploma Programme
Extended essay
(4,000 words or less)
Acquaints diploma candidates
with the kind of independent
research and writing skills
expected by universities
© IBO 2002
Diploma Programme
What does the essay
represent to a student?
 the opportunity to investigate a
topic of special interest

a way to add breadth

a way to deepen studies: selecting a
topic in one of his or her courses
© IBO 2002
Diploma Programme
The six academic
subjects group 1
group 2
group 3
language A1
second
language
experimental
sciences
extended
essay
Theory of
Knowledge
creativity, action,
service
individuals
and societies
sciences and humanities
mathematics
at least three but not more
than four taken at higher
level (HL)
group 5
group 6
Six subjects studied
concurrently
one subject from each of the
six groups
the arts
group 4
Requirements
for
the subjects
others at standard level (SL)
© IBO 2002
Diploma Programme
The six academic
subjects group 1
group 2
group 3
language
language
A1A1
second
second
language
language
experimental
experimental
sciences
sciences
Teaching time
extended
essay
Theory of
Knowledge
creativity, action,
service
individuals
individuals
and
societies
and societies
mathematics
HL courses:
240 teaching hours
recommended
SL courses:
150 hours recommended
the
thearts
arts
group 5
group 4
group 6
© IBO 2002
Diploma Programme
The six academic
group 1
language A1
subjects group 1
 45 languages for examination
group 2
group 3
language A1
second
language
experimental
sciences
extended
essay
Theory of
Knowledge
creativity, action,
service
individuals
and societies
mathematics

encourages very good writing
and oral skills and respect for
the literary heritage of a first
language
 complemented by an
international perspective
through world literature
the arts
Arts
arts and
and
group
Electives
electives5
group 4
group 6
The IBO encourages students
to maintain strong ties to their
© IBO 2002
own cultures
Diploma Programme
The six academic
second language
subjects group 1
group 2
group 2
group 3

a requirement for all
diploma candidates (or
second A1 language)

aims to enable students
to use the language in a
range of contexts, for
many purposes

focuses on written and
spoken communication
Language
language
languageA1
A1
second
Second
second
Language
language
language
extended
essay
Theory of
Knowledge
Individuals
individuals
individuals
and societies
and societies
mathematics
experimentalcreativity, action, Mathematics
Experimental
experimental
sciences
service
mathematics
sciences
Arts
arts and
and
the
arts
Electives
electives
group 5
group 4
group 6
© IBO 2002
Diploma Programme
The six academic
individuals and
subjects group 1
societies
group 3
•
group 2
group 3
language
A1
language
Language
A1
A1
second
Second
second
Language
language
language
extended
essay
Theory of
Knowledge
Individuals
individuals
individuals
and societies
and societies
mathematics
experimental creativity, action,Mathematics
Experimental
experimental
service
mathematics
sciences
sciences
Arts
arts
and
theand
arts
Electives
electives
group 5
group 4
business and management
• economics
• geography
• history
• Islamic history
• information technology in a
global society (standard level)
• philosophy
• psychology
• social and cultural
anthropology
© IBO 2002
group 6
Diploma Programme
The six academic
subjects group 1
group 2
group 4
experimental
sciences
group 3
language
A1
language
A1
second
second
language
language
extended
essay
Theory of
Knowledge
individuals
individuals
and societies
and societies
experimental creativity, action,mathematics
experimental
service
mathematics
sciences
sciences

biology
 chemistry
 physics
 environmental systems
(standard level)

design technology
arts
theand
arts
electives
group 5
group 4
© IBO 2002
group 6
Diploma Programme
The six academic
subjects group 1
group 2
mathematics
group 3
language
A1
Language
A1
language
A1
Second
second
second
Language
language
language
group 5
extended
essay
Theory of
Knowledge
Individuals
individuals
individuals
and societies
and societies
mathematics
Experimental
experimental creativity, action,Mathematics
experimental
service
mathematics
sciences
sciences

requirement for all
diploma candidates

four options for different
abilities and levels

includes computer
science
Arts
and
arts
theand
arts
Electives
electives
group 5
group 4
© IBO 2002
group 6
Diploma Programme
The six academic
subjects group 1
group 2
group 6
the arts
group 3

visual arts, music and
theatre arts: emphasis
on practical production
by students and
exploring creative
work in a global
context

will include dance and
film as pilot courses
language
A1
Language
A1
language
A1
second
second
language
language
extended
essay
Theory of
Knowledge
individuals
and societies
experimental creativity, action,mathematics
experimental
service
mathematics
sciences
sciences
arts
theand
arts
electives
group 5
group 4
© IBO 2002
group 6
Diploma Programme
Assessing student
work
Classroom teachers and IB
examiners work in partnership to
ensure that students have
ample opportunity to
demonstrate what they have
learned
© IBO 2002
Diploma Programme
Assessment
External assessment using over 3000 examiners
worldwide
Internal assessment evaluated by teachers in the school
and moderated by external examiners
Transparency: assessment using criterion referenced
grading criteria
Multiple methods of assessment for each course
Varied skills tested across disciplines, within disciplines
Balance between independent and teacher supervised
work
Students maintain control over many aspects of
assessment
Diploma Programme
Assessment varies across and
within disciplines
Language A1:
In class oral presentation (prepared)
Taped face to face oral commentary
(“extemporaneous”)
World literature papers (out of class)
Experimental Sciences:
Laboratory investigations
Group 4 project
Three written examinations – multiple choice,
problem solving and short essay
Diploma Programme
Examiners
Academic judgments about
quality of student work rest with
over 6000 IB examiners
worldwide
Chief examiners for each
subject have international
authority in
their fields
© IBO 2002
Diploma Programme
Examinations,
assessment
examinations offered in
May for northern
hemisphere schools, in
November for the
southern hemisphere
more than 45,000
students assessed and
examined in 2004
© IBO 2002
The programme is very
demanding
and not everyone who tries
receives a diploma
© IBO 2002
Some 80% of candidates who
attempt the diploma succeed in
earning it
© IBO 2002
Testimonials from Park View
Compare to a lot of my friends here at the University, I’ve had a
huge advantage having done the IB program. I’m used to writing
essays, I know how to research and find books, I know exactly how
to reference, and the workload is a lot less than doing the diploma
program. One of the greatest surprises was when my IB History got
credited for a second year history course which I am required to take
for my degree in European Studies…now I have room to take an
elective. I am seeing the benefits of the IB Program now, and I
definitely know it was the best choice for me!
Lauren Cameron, 1rst Year Arts student at the University of Guelph
Testimonials from Park View
…not only should a learning institution provide for many interests, it
must also allow students to strive for excellence. I cannot think of
any better way to achieve this than to incorporate a program such as
IB. It is an established program and standardized across the world. I
feel to this day that my acceptance into Princeton was in part due to
having been involved in the IB program. I have spoken with Harvard
alumni who have been interviewing prospective applicants for more
than 10 years and they have commented that Park View produces
quality students, most of whom go through the IB program. Would
you believe that in my interview for medical school I was asked
about my involvement in the IB program four years back? Those
words carry a lot of weight!
Greg Bailly, medical doctor and Park View graduate of 1989
Testimonials from Sydney Academy
My IB experience was of great benefit to me. I traveled over 40
minutes daily for the IB program and it was all worth it. I’ve
developed a great work ethic, many enduring friendships, and
improved my confidence in academics. I’ve gained scholarships,
have a competitive edge in many first year classes, and I am going
to graduate half a year early from university because of the transfer
credits. This saves myself valuable time and upward of five
thousand dollars.
Kayla MacIntosh
Sydney Academy Graduate of 2004
Diploma Programme
© IBO 2002
January 2002
© IBO
Thank you to the following schools for supplying photos:
Frankfurt International School, Germany
International School of Tanganyika, Tanzania
St Clares College, Oxford, UK
International School Bangkok, Thailand
Designer: Mary Tiegreen
Produced by the corporate relations office
The International Baccalaureate Organization
© IBO 2002