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What Is an IB Diploma and How Does It Impact a Student’s Academic Future
If you’re wondering whether IBDP is the best choice for your child, you’ve come to the right place. The following guide will acquaint you with the programme’s history and philosophy, uncovering all essential facts and helping you make an informed decision about your child’s future.
What Is IBDP?
As of today, the four IB programmes are being offered to more than 1.95 million students in 5,800 schools located in 160 countries.
IBDP is an assessed programme for students aged 16 to 19 that provides internationally accepted qualifications for entry into higher education institutions.
The IBDP curriculum is made up of six subject groups and the Diploma Programme core consists of multiple essential elements: theory of knowledge (TOK); creativity, activity, service (CAS); and an extended essay.
In order to get their diploma, students have to complete an assessment and pass multiple exams. Both internal and external assessments are employed to make sure that each student covers the programme’s comprehensive requirements for obtaining a diploma.
History and Background of the IB Diploma Programme
The IB organisation was officially registered in Geneva in 1968 after a group of teachers from the International School of Geneva created the International Examinations Syndicate – a structure that would later get renamed to become the IB we recognise today.
In 1970, the first official IBDP exams took place. Twelve schools from 10 countries participated in this very first session and among them were two state schools from France and Germany.
In the 1970s and 80s, the recognition of IB grew across the world. The International Baccalaureate North America, International Baccalaureate Africa, Europe, and Middle East; as well as the International Baccalaureate Asia Pacific were all established.
Ever since IB has been launching new programmes to offer a full continuum of educational opportunities to school-aged children. IB introduced the Middle Years Programme (MYP) in 1994 and the launch of the Primary Years Programme (PYP) was announced in 1997. The IB Career-Related Programme was launched in 2012.
As of today, the IB is a non-profit organisation that makes its programmes available to schools in all parts of the world. The head office is still located in Geneva, Switzerland. Ever since its inception, the IB programme has been recognised as rather innovative and that fact has also remained unchanged. Extensive research and numerous studies demonstrate the effectiveness of the programme and the superiority it has over other academic curricula (more on that evidence in the following sections of the guide.
The Advantages of the IB Diploma: Research and Evidence
One of the most significant papers on the topic links the IB diploma to academic success at Cambridge University. According to the authors, strong IBDP performance predicts success at Cambridge. More specifically, students who have an overall score of 39 points or more out of 45 possible are the ones bound to achieve academic excellence once they enter the university.
An Asia-wide study also stands as evidence of the programme’s effectiveness. According to research published in Centering Whole-Child Development in Global Educational Reform, IBDP supports whole-person development by facilitating creativity, critical thinking skills, international mindedness, communication, collaboration, and self-management skills.
Obviously, the most important measurement of a school programme’s success is university admission and the accomplishments of students once they move on to a higher education institution.
Research on the topic is still ongoing but current evidence suggests IB students enjoy better opportunities than their peers.
A study that followed the academic journey of 4,000 students in the US suggests that the Ivy League acceptance rate of IB students is 18 percent higher in comparison to the results achieved by their peers. For top-ranked universities outside the Ivy League, the difference grows to 22 percent.
In the UK, greater currency is given to IB scores over A-level scores. In other countries like Spain, students who have an IB diploma don’t need to partake in university entrance exams because the IB points are validated for immediate access to Spain’s higher education system.
Who Can Offer the IB Diploma Programme?
For a school to implement the diploma programme, they need to meet authorisation criteria.
The IB Diploma in Bulgaria: Available Opportunities
The British School of Sofia is one of the schools that have the IB Diploma Programme available for its students. Currently, we’re also a Primary Years Programme (PYP) candidate school. The authorisation process is set to finish this academic year, turning us into a fully authorised PYP school. For more information about the PYP authorisation process and the steps we’ve undertaken to ensure its completion, please take a look at the following guide.
Core Requirements and Subjects
The core is made up of three required components which aim to broaden the educational experience for students:
- Theory of Knowledge (TOK): the aim of the subject is to help students reflect on the nature of knowledge and the ways in which we claim to be in possession of such knowledge.
- The Extended Essay: an independent and fully self-directed piece of research, the project culminates in the creation of a 4,000-word essay.
- Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS): students have to engage in various activities related to at least one of the three main standards mentioned in the title.
The six subject groups that students can choose among include studies in language and literature, language acquisition, individuals and societies, sciences, mathematics, and arts.
Students choose subjects from these groups, picking three subjects at higher level (HL) and three at standard level (SL). HL and SL subjects differ in scope but both are assessed against the same grade descriptors.
The subjects being chosen are dependent on the major that students intend to pick in university. Additionally, universities may have their own requirements in terms of acceptance criteria and IBDP subjects.
Who Is This Diploma Best for?
IBDP is mainly intended for students who plan to continue their education at a university abroad. The strong academic, emotional, and social skills acquired while completing the programme aim to give these students competitive edges and a smoother entry into the world of academia.
The Benefits of IBDP
As a parent, you are probably wondering about the concrete benefits of IBDP. Let’s list a few of the main ones:
- Globally recognised: IBDP is internationally acknowledged, improving a student’s chance of getting into a reputable university (as already confirmed by some of the studies quoted above). The comprehensive and challenging curriculum is the main reason why IBDP is so well respected.
- Development of extensive research skills: the extended essay requires research skills that most people acquire while at university. The same applies to theory of knowledge as a subject.
- The acquisition of career skills: critical thinking, communication skills, research skills – these are all essentials the IBDP tackles and teaches. Children who complete the programme acquire lifelong skills, including some of the qualities needed to land an amazing job in the future.
- Global perspective and holistic education: through the various subjects that are a part of the IB curriculum, students gain a better and more complex understanding of the world. IBDP adopts a holistic approach towards learning, fostering personal growth alongside academic accomplishments.
What Can You Do with an IB Diploma?
What happens after a student obtains their international baccalaureate diploma?
Finalising the IB programme grants graduates a number of opportunities:
University attendance: as already mentioned, the IB diploma makes university admission easier and provides opportunities for continued education in some of the world’s most prestigious universities.
Take college classes in school: IB programme subjects often tackle topics at the college level. Students who complete the programme feel much more prepared for university studies. In fact, some universities can give students who have completed an IB subject credit as if they’ve completed an entry-level course in that respective field.
Internship opportunities: it’s possible for someone who has an IB diploma to use it and pursue internship opportunities in another country. The global scope of this educational philosophy makes access to good opportunities much easier.
University Recognition and Future Opportunities for IBDP Students
The recognition of the IB programme is very good across the world. Major, reputable universities recognise the diploma, making it easier for children who have completed the programme to enrol in a prestigious higher education institution.
According to an official statement published by The American International School in Vienna, Austria:
The IB is held in high esteem by universities world-wide and students who complete the IB Diploma Program (DP) are more likely to enrol at top universities. Students who attend university after completing the IBDP often say that they feel completely equipped for the challenges they encounter and are likely very successful in future life.
As of now, IB diplomas are recognised by colleges and universities in over 90 countries.
If you need more information on university acceptance or you’re looking for information about a particular university, you can check the IB Recognition Statements Database.
It's also important to find out what the acceptance requirements are. Universities may require certain IBDP scores or having passed exams in particular subjects before they consider a candidate for admission to one of their academic programmes.
To give you a quick overview of the admission requirements that some of the top universities have:
- Harvard has a requirements of at least 42/45 points to consider a candidate
- Princeton requires 42 points
- Yale and Columbia universities have a minimum requirement of 40 points on the IB diploma
- Standford also has a requirement of at least 40 out of 45 points
- University of Cambridge requires at least 40 points
- MIT requires 40 points
- University College of London requires 39 points
- Imperial College of London requires at least 39 points
- Cornell requires at least 38 points
- Bristol University requires at least 38 points
- University of Edinburgh requires 37 points or more
- University of Amsterdam requires at least 36 points
- University of Copenhagen accepts students who have a minimum of 30 points
There could be some variations depending on the popularity of the major being pursued and the particular applicant range during that year. It’s in the best interest of parents and their kids to keep track of admission requirements and deadlines, making sure all required information is provided in due time to ensure optimal admission chances.
The British School of Sofia IB Diploma Programme Prepares Students for Future Success
The British School of Sofia became an IB school back in 2016.
Ever since, our students have been achieving excellent results, ranking among some of the best IBDP performers across the world.
Our educators have extensive experience and understanding of the programme. This fact results in students who are fully prepared to take on the challenging curriculum and excel.
For more information about our IBDP implementation, please take a look at this page dedicated to our curriculum.
If you have additional questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. Our dedicated team members will do their best to address your inquiry promptly and comprehensively.
