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The International Baccalaureate/IB Diploma is recognised as being a challenging 2-year programme of study aimed at 16-19 year old students. It is an international diploma that is recognised world-wide and offers entry into universities throughout the world. There are more than 756,000 IB students at 2,744 schools in 138 countries.

The great attraction of studying for an International/IB Diploma is that it offers students great flexibility in study and future career prospects because it surpasses the boundaries of the country in which the study takes place. We are fortunate to have some of the UK boarding schools that we work with offer the IB Diploma and because tuition is free at these schools you only have to pay boarding fees. Email us for more information on schools and fees.

The International Baccalaureate/IB Diploma has a compulsory core of 3 parts:

1 Extended essay

2 Theory of knowledge

3 Creativity, action, service

The extended essay has a limit of 4000 words and offers students the opportunity to investigate a subject or topic that they find particularly interesting. Through the course of their study they develop their research and writing skills.

The theory of knowledge requires the student to explore, understand and explain knowledge of cross-disciplines that encourages open-mindedness and a willingness to consider and appreciate other cultures.

Creativity, action, service gives further breadth to the core by requiring students to become involved in artistic pursuits, sport and service work to the community. It continues to encourage students to be aware and appreciative of the world outside education.

As well as the compulsory study of core parts students have a choice of 6 other subjects to study to complete the IB Diploma. Three of the 6 subjects are studied at a higher level and 3 at a standard level (it is possible to study 4 at a higher level and 2 at a standard level).

Internal Assessment - at least some internal assessment takes place through the two year course of study, eg project work, student portfolios, class presentations, practical work, etc.

External Assessment - Assessment tasks are overseen by teaching staff and marked externally to ensure objectivity and reliability of standards. Externally marked assessment tasks form the bigger part of assessment.

The assessment is criterion based which means results are dependent upon a student's performance and not his/her rank order within a learning group.

Universities - The IB Diploma is recognised by many universities throughout the world. When students sign up for the IB programme they have access to a database containing contact details of universities around the world together with up-to-date information about their requirements for admission.

Students applying to a particular university are also able to grant permission for their grades to be accessed directly from the IB’s secure website.

Only authorised schools are allowed to offer the International Baccalaureate/IB Diploma as part of their curriculum.

UK BOARDING SCHOOLS

Some or our UK Boarding schools offer the IB Diploma alongside the more traditional AS/A2 levels traditionally taught in this country. The standards of tuition are very high and examination results at these UK Boarding Schools are impresive.

A Simple Solution is fortunate to work with leading UK boarding schools that offer the International Baccalaureate/IB diploma.