A guide to the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme for universities and colleges
Introduction
The aim of this section of the IB website is to increase knowledge and understanding of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme for universities and colleges.
This online guide is an introduction to the Diploma Programme for lead administrators, deans and faculty members. It will assist them in developing and/or revising Diploma Programme recognition policies. The guide contains information about course content, student assessment, requirements for the IB diploma, and interpreting the IB transcript. In addition, there is information on how to become an IB World School and on curriculum review.
The IB has seen tremendous growth in recent years. The Diploma Programme is currently offered by 2,005 IB World Schools worldwide. Increasing numbers of Diploma Programme students are continuing their studies at colleges and universities that recognize their achievements in the Diploma Programme. This guide will help universities and colleges respond to the needs of these students.
The IB encourages colleges and universities to develop their own recognition policies that are specific to their individual institutions. The IB regional offices will provide additional information to help determine the best approach for each college or university when considering a recognition policy.
Note: You may also download this guide as a printable PDF document [1,557 kb, PDF]
Resources for Universities and Applicants in the US and Canada
What is the Diploma Programme?
The Diploma Programme is a challenging two-year programme of international education.The Diploma Programme is a comprehensive and challenging pre-university course of study, leading to examinations, that demands the best from motivated students and teachers. It is widely recognized for its high academic standards.
- The two-year curriculum is rigorous and intellectually coherent, encouraging critical thinking through the study of a wide range of subjects in the traditional academic disciplines while encouraging an international perspective.
- Beyond completing college-level courses and examinations, Diploma Programme students are also required to engage in community service, individual research, and an inquiry into the nature of knowledge.
- The two-year course of study leads to final examinations in six subject areas and a qualification widely recognized by the world's leading colleges and universities.
- Since 1968, more than half a million students in 135 countries have participated in the Diploma Programme.
How the IB diploma is recognized
University recognition is a primary concern for Diploma Programme students.As the vast majority of students who complete the Diploma Programme move on to further and higher education, university recognition has always been a primary concern for Diploma Programme students, parents and school counsellors.
The discipline and work ethic necessary to complete the Diploma Programme require considerable commitment from students. Diploma Programme students who have performed well in examinations and have earned the IB diploma expect colleges and universities to properly recognize this achievement.
Many colleges and universities have developed their own recognition policies. The individual policies vary greatly, but they all have one thing in common. Through their policies, these institutions make it apparent that they understand and appreciate the Diploma Programme student and the rigour of the Diploma Programme itself. This recognition comes in many forms but the most common are:
- Recruitment—actively recruiting Diploma Programme students
- Admission—ensuring that the IB diploma is fully recognized in the admissions process; addressing Diploma Programme students specifically in documentation and publications
- Placement—acknowledging the rigour of IB courses and establishing prerequisites for IB courses that are fair and equitable in comparison with those for state, provincial and/or other examination courses; understanding and acknowledging the English language proficiency of international Diploma Programme students
- Credit—providing detailed information on the courses for which credit is possible based on Diploma Programme examination scores; specifically understanding and recognizing theory of knowledge (TOK), the extended essay and the content of standard level (SL) courses as well as the content of higher level (HL) courses
- Scholarships—providing scholarships or scholarship opportunities specifically for IB Diploma students
What are the requirements for the IB diploma and certificate?
The Diploma Programme is a two-year, full-time programme. Students must choose one subject from each of groups 1 to 5, thus ensuring breadth of experience in languages, social studies, the experimental sciences and mathematics. The sixth subject may be an arts subject chosen from group 6, or the student may choose another subject from groups 2 to 5. At least three and not more than four are taken at higher level (HL), the others at standard level (SL). HL courses represent a recommended 240 teaching hours; SL courses cover 150 teaching hours (for more detail on each subject, click on a group number in the hexagon above).
In each examination, the student is graded on a scale of 1 (minimum) to 7 (maximum). The award of the diploma requires students to meet defined standards and conditions. These include a minimum total of 24 points and the satisfactory completion of three compulsory core components: 1) theory of knowledge (TOK); 2) extended essay; and 3) creativity, action, service (CAS). Thus, the programme has the strengths of a traditional and broad curriculum, augmented by the three requirements shown at the centre of the programme model above.
Approximately 80% of students are awarded the diploma. A student who does not satisfy the requirements of the full Diploma Programme, or who has elected to take fewer than six subjects, is awarded a certificate for the examinations completed. Students who complete more than six subjects receive an extra certificate for the additional subject(s).
How students are assessed: principles and practice
An essential principle of IB assessment is that standards are the same worldwide.IB World Schools are found across six continents and students represent many cultural and academic traditions. Despite this, the organization measures student performance according to established standards and criteria that are consistent from place to place and year to year.
The final examinations conclude a two-year teaching period, during which a variety of assessment methods have been used to acknowledge both the content and the process of academic achievement and to take into account different learning styles.
Students' work is assessed by an international board of examiners, who are themselves rigorously trained and monitored by the IB.
How to interpret IB grades and transcripts
A student’s examination performance in individual subjects is scored on a scale of 1–7 points with a further 3 points available based on a matrix of performance in the theory of knowledge (TOK) and the extended essay components. Students who display satisfactory levels of performance across all subject areas and achieve a minimum of 24 points (out of a possible 45) are awarded the IB diploma. All others receive a certificate of results for the subjects examined. Subjects are marked according to the following scale:
7 Excellent
6 Very good
5 Good
4 Satisfactory
3 Mediocre
2 Poor
1 Very poor
N No grade
The TOK course and the extended essay are graded according to the following scale.
A Excellent
B Good
C Satisfactory
D Mediocre
E Elementary
N No grade
Examination results are available in early July following the May examination session, and in early January following the November examination session. If requested by the student, results are made available to universities either in electronic format or as a transcript of grades, as appropriate. The results indicate the grade a candidate has been awarded for each subject, including the additional diploma requirements of theory of knowledge and the extended essay. The results also indicate the completion of creativity, action, service (CAS) and total number of points for the diploma, if a diploma has been awarded. Diploma awarded, Bilingual diploma awarded or Certificate(s) awarded will appear on the results.
Bilingual diplomas are awarded for:
- two languages A1, or
- a language A1 taken together with a language A2, or
- a group 3 or 4 subject taken in a language other than the candidate's language A1, or
- an extended essay in a group 3 or group 4 subject written in a language other than the candidate's language A1.
How the IB curriculum is reviewed and maintained
Universities can be confident that this is a rigorous and transparent process.All curriculum documents are reviewed on a seven-year cycle. This cycle is not fixed and if significant change occurs in a body of knowledge (for example, computer science), then changes will be introduced more quickly. The cycle allows for:
- worldwide research by curriculum personnel
- design of curriculum models through consultation with practitioners in IB World Schools
- presentation of draft documents to the Diploma Programme committee and IB World Schools
- analysis of feedback before final publishing, training of teachers and then teaching and examining of the new curriculum.
How do schools become IB World Schools?
Schools wishing to offer the Diploma Programme must be officially authorized by the IB.Authorization is granted to schools that successfully complete the application process, in which schools present detailed plans and evidence that they are prepared to offer a viable Diploma Programme. IB offices are available to support schools through the authorization process, which takes place in phases as shown in the following synopsis. Move the blue arrow pointer along the time line to read about each phase. As the process varies from region to region, this graphic is intended as a guide only. Please refer to your IB regional office for details of the process in your part of the world.