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The IB Diploma

The IB Diploma Programme (DP) consists of six subject groups and the core. Students take three Higher Level (HL) and three Standard Level (SL) subjects, one from each of the six groups and they study them for two years (five terms).  All students must successfully complete the core to be awarded the diploma.

The time allocation for the IB DP is nine periods per week for HL subjects and six periods per week for SL subjects.  There will also be three periods per week for Theory of Knowledge (TOK).  There is both internal assessment and external examinations in May of SFC2.

The Groups

Group 1 is language A1.  It is the study of world literature in the student’s native language.

Group 2 is the study of a second language.  It also includes the classical languages, Latin and Greek.

Group 3 is the study of Individuals and Societies:

History

Geography

Economics

Philosophy

Group 4 is the study of Science:

Biology

Chemistry

Physics

IB Groups

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The emphasis is on practical work and all students take part in the Group 4 project which allows students to see how the sciences interconnect and relate to the wider world.

Group 5 is the study of Mathematics.  All students must take Mathematics as part of the IB and they can study Mathematics at Standard Level, Higher Level or take Mathematical Studies at Standard Level.

Group 6 contains the Arts subjects:

Visual Arts

Music

Theatre

This group also contains the elective which allows students to choose another subject from Groups 2 to 4, for example another science or language.

The Core

The Core is central to the Diploma Programme and it embodies the philosophy of the IB.  It consists of the Extended Essay; Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and Creativity, Action & Service Programme (CAS).

The Extended Essay

This is a piece of academic research chosen from any one of the subjects in the six groups.  It has a word limit of a maximum of 4,000 words and students are expected to undertake 40 hours of study.  Each student is assigned a supervisor from the academic staff who supports them and monitors their work.  They give the student a short viva once the final essay has been submitted which allows the student to reflect on their work.

The EE develops students’ research skills, enables them to practise the thesis approach to writing required at university and to experience the excitement of intellectual challenge and discovery.

Theory of Knowledge (TOK)

This is a programme of study required for all IB students.  It enables them to make connections between different areas of knowledge and gets them to consider the cultural, social and moral aspects of knowledge.

The emphasis is on student discussion.  Assessment consists of a 10 minute presentation and an essay on a topic taken from a list of 10 titles given by the IB.

Creativity, Action & Service (CAS)

Every IB students has to complete a programme of Creativity, Action and Service.  They are not examined but they have to complete the CAS to be awarded the diploma.  Students keep a record of their activities and they are expected to reflect on what they have learned from their experiences in the form of the CAS Journal.

DP Assessment

All subjects are marked out of seven with four being the benchmark for a pass.  The EE and TOK together are awarded three marks and students have to pass both elements to pass the diploma.  The total number of points available is 45 and the pass mark for the diploma is 24.

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