International Baccalaureate (IB)

Sometimes known simply as the IB, the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) is a two-year curriculum run by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO). In British education system, the IBDP is taught in sixth form (Year 12-13).

International Baccalaureate (IB) is an international curriculum known for its breath, where students are normally required to learn more than one language and study across disciplines including Mathematics, Sciences and Humanities subjects. It’s a curriculum designed to be challenging that requires strong language and study skills, as well as the drive and discipline for independent studies. Compared to GCE A-levels, International Baccalaureate (IB) can better demonstrate the abilities of top students and enhance their chances when applying to the most sought-after universities and courses (say Medicine, Law, etc) around the world.

Course Features

• Worldwide reputation of the qualification enables students to apply to all top universities in most countries including universities in Hong Kong.
• Compared to GCE A-levels, IB is more recognised by universities in the US.
• Mid-range attainment of 36 marks in IB is equivalent to A*A*A*A in GCE A-levels. Studying IB better demonstrates the abilities of top students!

Course Structure

Students study one subject from each of the following six groups (six subjects in total), in which at least 3-4 of them must be at the Higher Level (HL):

Apart from these six subjects, students are also required to complete research projects and take part in extra-curricular activities and community services:

• Extended Essay (EE)
  4000-word essay on a self-selected topic.
• Theory of Knowledge (TOK)
  1600-word essay and oral presentation on a specified topic.
• Creativity, Action and Service (CAS)

Assessment

Maximum mark of each subject is 7. With 3 extra marks from EE and TOK, full mark is 45.

IB obtainment can be compared to that of GCE A-levels:

After the IB

IB graduates can apply to universities in the UK via UCAS – just like how A-levels graduates would do it! If students’ IB scores fall short of the entry requirements of their target universities, they can also study a pathway programme – University Foundation, or International Year One – and progress to a degree after one year.

Boarding Schools offering the IB

Listed below are boarding schools within our school network that offer the IB programmes. Some of these boarding schools offer both the IB and GCE A-levels in sixth form, while some become an IB-only school. Other than boarding schools, a number of state colleges and independent colleges also run the IB programmes. Do contact our education consultants for more details about these schools and colleges!

• ACS Cobham International School
• ACS Egham International School
• ACS Hillingdon International School
• American School in England
• Ardingly College
• Bedford School
• Box Hill School
• Bradfield College
• Brentwood School
• Bromsgrove School
• Bryanston School
• Buckswood School
• Charterhouse School
• Christ’s Hospital School
• Ellesmere College
• Felsted School
• Fettes College
• Gresham’s School
• Haileybury
• Kent College Canterbury
• King Edward’s School
• King William’s College
• Leighton Park School
• Malvern College
• Marymount International School
• Oakham School
• Rossall School
• Royal High School Bath
• Ryde School
• Scarborough College
• Sevenoaks School
• Sherborne School for Girls
• Sidcot School
• St Edmund’s College
• St Edward’s School
• St Leonards School – St Andrew’s
• Stonyhurst College
• Taunton School
• UWC Atlantic College
• Warminster School
• Westbourne School
• Whitgift School
• Windermere School
• Worth School