International Baccalaureate

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is a rigorous pre-university course of studies, leading to examinations, that meets the needs of highly motivated secondary school students between the ages of 16 and 19 years. Designed as a comprehensive and broad two year curriculum that allows its graduates to fulfil requirements of various national education systems, the diploma model is based on the pattern of no single country but incorporates the best elements of many.

IB Diploma holders gain admission to universities throughout the world. These include prominent institutions such as Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, Yale, Heidelberg and Sorbonne, as well as all UK universities.

For more information on see the International Baccalaureate Organisation website.

You choose six subjects in the IB Programme, three at Higher Level (approximately equal to A Level) and three at Standard Level. You must choose one subject from each of the following groups:

First Language A1 (usually English) and World Literature;
Foreign Language B (French, German or Spanish);
Individuals and Societies (History, Economics or Psychology);
Experimental Science (Biology or Chemistry);
Mathematics;
Art or a second subject from Groups 2, 3 or 4

> Subjects Available

Unique Characteristics

The programme offers special features in addition to the traditional strengths of a liberal arts curriculum.

Theory of Knowledge (TOK)

Theory of Knowledge is the compulsory element of the International Baccalaureate. Its principal aim is to explore the main categories of knowledge with special reference to the various problems that students encounter in their everyday learning. It is hoped that students will acquire a set of critical and conceptual tools to enable them to reflect upon and better understand the continual connections which can be drawn among the other parts of the IB programme. In short, students are invited to approach their learning with a critical attitude fostered through a sensitivity to language and logic.
By following this course it is hoped that students will come to value their own learning and take considerable responsibility for it. The skills students will gain are readily transferable and of life long value.

The course takes as its content the academic, cultural and other dispositional interests of the students and subjects these to some critical analysis through applying a set of analytical tools which will be of vital and continuing value as students progress through their courses. Apart from an appreciation of the role of language in thought and knowledge, an understanding of the requirements of logical rigour for knowledge claims, and an investigation of various knowledge systems, students will examine conceptual issues in mathematics, the natural sciences, the human sciences, and history. The course also pays considerable attention to moral issues of current popular debate with particular attention being paid to making and defending judgements of value.

Students will be required to undertake one piece of written work, plus an oral presentation, for assessment. This work will be taken from a substantial list of essay titles provided at the beginning of the second year. There is wide choice and room to negotiate titles with the Tutor on subjects of particular interest to individual students.

Creativity, Action, Service (CAS)

CAS is a fundamental part of the diploma curriculum. The CAS requirement takes seriously the importance of life outside the world of scholarship, providing a refreshing counterbalance to the academic self-absorbtion some may feel within a demanding programme. Participation in theatre productions, sports and community service activities encourages young people to share their energies and special talents while developing awareness, concern and the ability to work cooperatively with others.

Diploma candidates are required to undertake original reseaarch and write an Extended Essay of some 4000 words. This project offers the opportunity to investigate a topic of special interest and acquaints students with the kind of independent research and writing skills expected at university.

Subjects available are:

BIOLOGY: Higher and Standard Levels
CHEMISTRY: Higher and Standard Levels
ECONOMICS: Higher and Standard Levels
ENGLISH: Higher and Standard Levels
FRENCH, SPANISH AND GERMAN: (Language B)
Higher and Standard Levels
HISTORY: Higher and Standard Levels
MATHEMATICS: Higher and Standard Levels
MUSIC: Higher and Standard Levels
PSYCHOLOGY: Higher and Standard Levels
SPANISH (Language B): Standard Level
THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE
V ISUAL ARTS: Higher and Standard Levels