International Baccalaureate Diploma

What is the IBDP?

The IBDP (International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme) is a holistic Sixth Form programme combining depth and breadth.  More than half a million students have studied on the programme, which is described by the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) as a ‘comprehensive and challenging pre-university course that demands the best from both motivated students and teachers’.  There are currently over 200 schools in the UK offering the Diploma and the IB estimates that by 2020 there will be 2.5 million pupils worldwide taking one of its programmes each year.

What are the benefits of the IBDP?

The IB Diploma is an internationally recognised Sixth Form school qualification. It is recognised by universities in over 120 countries and is highly regarded for its academic rigour and intellectual richness.

You will develop an understanding of internationalism and an ability to communicate effectively in an international environment.  These skills are highly valued by universities and employers.

The IB Diploma Programme enables you to study subjects in depth and, at the same time, maintain academic breadth:

• whatever your Higher Education or career aims, you study the literature of your own language, a foreign language, a human science, a natural science and mathematics.  You do not have to be an expert in all of these areas.  For example – Italian can be studied at beginner’s level and Maths Studies is a continuation of the skills developed at GCSE for those students who do not think they will need Maths in their future studies.
• you study 3 of your 6 subjects at Higher Level (HL), which enables you to ‘specialise’ in particular subjects and areas.  The Higher Level courses are more challenging and are ideal preparation for university while the Standard Level (SL) courses provide breath and enable you to explore a wider range of subjects.

Entry requirements:

A minimum of 6 passes at Grades A*-B which should include a Grade B in English Language, Maths, Core Science, a language and a subject within the Humanities.