What Is IB Diploma? | Eligibility Criteria And Benefits Of IB

What is IB Diploma? Eligibility Criteria & Benefits of IBDP

International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP) is a 2-year international academic program for students between the age of 16-19 years. IBDP is an internationally acclaimed program and is recognized by a lot of many universities across the globe. This program was started in Geneva, Switzerland in the 1960s by international educators. IBDP is taught in over 140 countries and is administered by IB and is taught in one of the three languages: English, French and Spanish.

To earn an IB diploma, students will have to take courses from six subjects, one each from groups 1-5, and one from either group 6 or a substitute from other groups. 

• Group 1: Studies in Language and literature, and Literature and Performance. 
• Group 2: Language Acquisition – Language ab initio, Language B, and Classical Languages
• Group 3: Individual & Societies – Economics, Business management, Geography, History, Philosophy, Psychology, Social and cultural anthropology, World religions, Global Politics and Information technology in a global society.
• Group 4: Experimental Sciences – Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Computer Science, Design Technology, Environmental systems and societies, Sports, exercise and health science.
• Group 5: Mathematics – Mathematical Studies SL, Mathematics SL, Mathematics HL, and Further Mathematics HL
• Group 6: Arts – Dance, Film, Music, Theatre, and Visual Art

Apart from above six subject groups, students will have to take three core elements which are as below

• Theory of knowledge (ToK) –students reflect on the nature of knowledge and on how we know what we claim to know.
• The Extended Essay -it’s a 4000-word mini paper based on an independent and self-directed piece of research.
• Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) – in which students complete a project related to these concepts by involving them in extracurricular activities.

Eligibility Criteria for IB Diploma

Any student, who is in between the age group of 16 to 19 years is eligible for IB Diploma. In order to achieve IB Diploma, you must score 24 or more in you IB exams. You also need to meet criteria to achieve IB diploma

• All CAS requirements have been met.
• At least 12 points have been gained on higher level subjects.
• At least 9 points have been gained on standard level subjects.
• The candidate is not given a penalty for academic misconduct by the final award committee.                     

Benefits of IB Diploma

IB Diploma program inculcates the habit of learning through discovery and enquiry and to understand the concept behind every problem. It aims to broaden the horizon of their academic experience and utilize their knowledge and skills to solve real-life problems. It helps the students to learn at least two languages and aims towards holistic development of students. They also develop

• Excellent depth and breadth of knowledge
• Develop physically, mentally, emotionally and ethically
• Excel in traditional subjects
• Explore the nature of knowledge through ToK.

DP students are better as compared to their peers in terms of managing their time, coping up with the demanding workload and meeting the expectations.

DP’s extended essay core helps the students to polish their writing skills.

It provides more creative opportunities to students.

DP students are given college credit in most of the universities across the globe.

Thus, we would conclude that IB Diploma program is a very good academic program for students who love to read, are creative and challenge their academic skills.