Diploma Programme
© IBO 2004
The IBO’s goal:
to provide students with the
values and opportunities that will
enable them to develop sound
judgment, make wise choices, and
respect others in the global
community
© IBO 2004
Diploma Programme
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.
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.
© IBO 2004
Diploma Programme
The Diploma Programme

challenging two-year
pre-university course with
rigorous internal and
external assessment

for highly motivated
students who are well
organised

for ages 16 to 19
© IBO 2004
Diploma Programme
What makes the Diploma
Programme different?

comprehensive, two-year curriculum with an
international focus

international standards, applied equally to all
students in all schools

rigorous assessment without statistical
interference

combines breadth with depth

emphasizes critical, compassionate thinking

promotes a global perspective
© IBO 2004
Diploma Programme
Access to Universities
IB diploma graduates
• have access to the world’s leading
universities, and
• are better prepared for success at
university
© IBO 2004
Diploma Programme
the curriculum
group 1
language A1
(first language)
group 2
group 3
second
language
experimental
sciences
extended
essay
Theory of
Knowledge
individuals
and societies
creativity,
action, service
mathematics
group 5
group 4
the arts &
electives
© IBO 2004
group 6
Diploma Programme
Theory of Knowledge
extended essay
Theory of
Knowledge
creativity, action,
service
(TOK)
stimulates critical
reflection on knowledge
and experience
students examine the
grounds for moral,
political, scientific and
aesthetic judgments
© IBO 2004
Diploma Programme
. . . wise choices & cultural perspective
TOK challenges students

to question the bases of
knowledge

to be aware of subjective
and ideological biases

to develop the ability to
analyse evidence

to develop an appreciation
of other cultural
perspectives
extended essay
Theory of
Knowledge
creativity, action,
service
© IBO 2004
Diploma Programme
TOK encourages students to reflect
on questions such as these:
Is the scientific method a process unique to Western
culture, or is it universal?
Do people with different cultural or linguistic
backgrounds live, in some sense, in different
worlds?
© IBO 2004
Diploma Programme
The IB Diploma is about
educating the whole person
Creativity, Action, Service (CAS)
helps students become responsible,
compassionate citizens
© IBO 2004
Diploma Programme
Creativity
Interpreted broadly:
arts activities
but also creativity shown
in designing and
implementing service
projects
© IBO 2004
Diploma Programme
Action
Participation in individual and team sports
but also taking part in expeditions,
local and international projects
© IBO 2004
Diploma Programme
Service
Community and social service activities,
for example:
helping children with special needs
visiting hospitals
working with elderly citizens
refugees or homeless people
Environmental projects
© IBO 2004
Diploma Programme
Extended essay
(4,000 words or less)
Acquaints diploma candidates with
the kind of independent research and
writing skills expected by universities
 An
opportunity to investigate a
topic of special interest to the student
 A way
to add breadth to the course
 A way
to deepen studies: selecting
a topic in one of the student’s subjects
© IBO 2004
Diploma Programme
What is involved in the
Extended Essay?

can be written in any of the subjects in
the student’s programme

is recommended to take up to 40 hours
of private study and writing time

is undertaken with the help of a supervisor
© IBO 2004
Diploma Programme
Extended essay topics vary widely
(some examples)
 The effects of acid rain on the environment, with a
focus on plant life (biology)

The contribution of international organizations to the
economic development of Geneva (economics)

The mathematics of nature: the relationship between
fractals, chaos and iteration (mathematics)

An appraisal of the role of Captain William Bligh in the
mutiny on HMS Bounty (history)
© IBO 2004
Diploma Programme
The six academic
subject groupings
Requirements
for the subjects
group 1
language
A1
group 2
second
language
extended
essay
Theory of
Knowledge
creativity, action,
experimental
service
Experimental
sciences
sciences
the arts
&
group 4
electives
Group 6
group 6
group 3
individuals
and
societies
Six subjects studied
concurrently
one subject from each
of the six groups
mathematics
group 5
three subjects taken at
higher level (HL)
three subjects taken at
standard level (SL)
© IBO 2004
Diploma Programme
The six academic
subject groupings
Teaching time
group 1
group 2
language A1
language
A1
group 3
second
second
language
language
individuals and
individuals
societies
and
extended
societies
essay
Theory of
Knowledge
creativity, action,
experimental
experimental
service
mathematics
sciences
sciences
group 4
the arts
the arts
&
electives
HL courses:
240 teaching hours
recommended
SL courses:
150 hours
recommended
group 5
© IBO 2004
group 6
Diploma Programme
The six academic
subject groupings
group 1
language A1
group 1
language A1
group 2
second
language

45 languages for
examination

encourages very good
writing and oral skills and
respect for the literary
heritage of the first language

complemented by an
international perspective
through the study of world
literature
group 3
individuals
and societies
extended
essay
Theory of
Knowledge
experimental
sciences
group 4
creativity, action, mathematics
mathematics
service
the arts
&
electives
group 6
group 5
Arts
arts and
and
Electives
electives
© IBO 2004
Diploma Programme
The six academic
subject groupings
group 2
second language
group 1
group 2
second
Second
second
Language
language
language
language A1
Language
A1
language
A1
group 3

all diploma candidates must
study a second language

aims to enable students
to use the language in a
range of contexts, for many
purposes

focuses on written and
spoken communication
Individuals
individuals
and societies
individuals
and
extended
societies
essay
Theory of
Knowledge
Mathematics
mathematics
experimental creativity, action,
Experimental
experimental
sciences
service
mathematics
sciences
Arts
arts the
and
andarts
Electives
electives
&
electives
group 5
group 4
© IBO 2004
group 6
Diploma Programme
The six academic
subject groupings
group 2
second language
group 1
Several options accommodate:
group 2
Language A1
language A1
group 3

Individuals
and societies
individuals
Individuals
andsociety
and
extended
societies
essay
Theory of
Knowledge
Mathematics
Experimental
creativity, action,
sciences
experimental
service
mathematics
sciences
Second
Language
second
language


near bilingual students,
high level of fluency (A2)
second language- learners
with previous experience usually through school (B)
beginners (ab initio)
the arts
group 4
group 5
© IBO 2004
group 6
Diploma Programme
The six academic
subject groupings
group 3
individuals and
societies
group 1
group 2
language A1
Language
A1
language A1
group 3
Individuals
individuals
and societies
individuals
and
extended
societies
essay
Theory of
Knowledge Mathematics
mathematics
experimental
Experimental
creativity, action,
sciences
experimental
service
mathematics
sciences
Arts
arts and
and
the arts
Electives
electives
group 4
group 5
second
Second
Language
language
second
language
Economics, Social and
cultural Anthropology,
Philosophy, Geography,
ITGS, History,
Psychology, Business and
Management, Islamic
History
© IBO 2004
group 6
Diploma Programme
The six academic
subject groupings
group 4
experimental
sciences
group 1
group 2
language A1
Language
A1
language
A1
group 3
Individuals
individuals
and societies
individuals
and
extended
societies
essay
Theory of
Knowledge mathematics
Experimental
experimental
creativity, action, mathematics
sciences
experimenta
service
l sciences
mathematics
Arts
arts and
and
the arts
Electives
electives
&
group 5
group 4
electives
second
language
second
language
develop, encourage:

practical laboratory skills

collaborative learning
through an interdisciplinary
project

awareness of moral and
ethical issues

a sense of social
responsibility, by examining
local and global issues
© IBO 2004
group 6
Diploma Programme
The six academic
subject groupings
group 4
experimental
sciences
group 1
group 2
language A1
language
A1
second
language
second
language
group 3
individuals
and societies
individuals
and
extended
societies
essay
Theory of
Knowledge
experimental creativity, action,mathematics
sciences
service
experimental
mathematics
sciences
arts and
the arts
electives
&
group 5
electives
group 4
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Environmental systems
Design technology
© IBO 2004
group 6
Diploma Programme
The six academic
subject groupings
group 5
mathematics
group 1
aims to deepen student’s
group 2
second
second
language
language
language A1
language
A1
group 3
individuals
and societies
individuals
and
extended
societies
essay
Theory of
Knowledge
mathematics
experimental creativity, action,
experimental
sciences
service
maths
sciences
group 4
artsthe
andarts
electives
&
electives
group 5
understanding of this discipline
and to promote confidence and
facility in the use of mathematical
language.

requirement for all diploma
candidates

three Maths options for different
abilities and needs
-
Maths Studies SL
-
Maths SL & HL
-
Further Maths SL

includes Computer Science
© IBO 2004
group 6
Diploma Programme
The six academic
subject groupings
group 6
the arts
group 1
group 2
Language
A1
language
A1
language
A1
second
second
language
language
individuals
and
societies
extended
essay
Theory of
Knowledge
experimental creativity, action,mathematics
experimental
service
mathematics
sciences
sciences
group 4
arts
theandarts
electives
&
electives
group 6
Visual Arts
Music
Theatre Studies
group 3


group 5
emphasis on practical
production by students and
exploring creative work in a
global context
electives: certain subjects
from other groups e.g. Gps 3
or 4
© IBO 2004
Diploma Programme
Assessing student work

Students have ample opportunity to
demonstrate what they have learned

Most subjects have both internal (portfolios,
orals, essays) and external (exams) assessments

Internal assessment is moderated by external
moderators (mostly practicing teachers) whose
marking is monitored.

External assessment is marked by examiners
(mostly practicing teachers) all around the world.
© IBO 2004
Diploma Programme
Assessing student work

All subjects, whether HL or SL, are scored
out of a maximum of 7 points.

Up to 3 bonus points are awarded for
Theory of Knowledge and Extended Essay.

Maximum score is 45 points, minimum
acceptable score is 24 points. There are
additional conditions.
© IBO 2004
Diploma Programme
Applying to offer the Diploma Programme
Read the IBAP website at www.ibo.org
- go to regional offices; asia-pacific; diploma programme.
All the necessary documents can be found here.
In summary:
• Step 1: Conduct a feasibility study to determine the appropriateness of
the DP for your students and school, and develop a strategic plan.
(Contact the regional DP manager if you would like help.)
• Step 2: Submit a Letter of Intent to the regional office.
• Step 3: Train teachers, develop facilities(if necessary), start to build
resources.
• Step 4: Submit application to regional office and application fee to HQ
in Geneva.
• Step 5: RO will contact school and arrange an authorization visit.
• Step 6: Authorization may be granted up to two months after
authorization visit.
© IBO 2004
Diploma Programme
The whole process will take between
18 and 24 months.
So………………….
Plan well ahead
© IBO 2004