The IB Diploma Programme (IBDP)

ISS International School offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) for students aged 16-19 in Grades 11 and 12. This is a comprehensive and rigorous two-year curriculum, leading to a series of externally set examinations. The IBDP was established in the late 1960's and from the outset has placed a strong emphasis on high academic standards, ideals of international understanding and responsible citizenship. The IBDP is unique and is not based on the pattern of any one national education system. Instead there is a deliberate balance between the specialization required in some national systems and the breadth preferred in others. The IBDP is now taught in over 2200 schools in over 139 countries.

The programme offers a rounded education for students aiming at university or college. The student who satisfies its demands demonstrates a strong commitment to learning, both in terms of the mastery of subject content and in the development of the skills and discipline necessary for success in a competitive world. The IBDP is awarded on successful completion of the whole programme, with a points score based on results in each subject. The curriculum and assessment procedures are common to all IB schools, which means that students present universities with an internationally recognized "known quantity" in their credentials. The IB DP is consequently accepted for admission to universities in virtually every country in the world. Studies carried out on how universities in the UK, USA and Australia regard the IBDP indicate that students who follow the IBDP tend to be more accomplished in the higher skills necessary for advanced study e.g. critical thinking, communication, self-management and motivation, than those students following the predominant national exams.

The Structure of the IB Diploma Programme

Three subjects are taken at Higher Level and three at Standard Level. In addition, the core components of Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay and CAS must be completed successfully.

Subjects offered by ISS in each of the six groups

Please note

- All subjects are offered subject to sufficient demand.

- Not all subjects are offered at both Higher Level and Standard Level

The IB Diploma Core

In addition to the six academic subjects students must complete a course in Theory of Knowledge (a critical thinking skills course), write an Extended Essay (an independent research-based assignment up to 4000 words), and participate in the Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) programme. These areas are known as the IB Diploma Core components and must be completed satisfactorily as part of the award requirements for the IB Diploma.

ISS places a strong emphasis on the IB Diploma Core components, as it is here where students learn most about themselves and where most of the transferable skills are developed. Our CAS programme is particularly strong and we offer a wide range of after school activities and community service projects, together with unique service-oriented overnight trips, in order to give students abundant opportunity to fully participate in the spirit of CAS.

At ISS we aim at providing access to the IB Diploma Programme to all those students who show outstanding determination/motivation and who have highly-developed personal organization and time-management skills. To that effect we provide support for students whose first language is not English, and we will frequently give students a chance to prove themselves if we believe they have the potential to succeed. This differentiated support has meant that over 90% of our students on the programme are awarded the IB Diploma, and our more able students continue to achieve top scores. Students who are not suited to follow the IB Diploma, will follow six IB Diploma courses (usually at Standard Level), the Theory of Knowledge Course and they will also fulfill all requirements of the CAS programme. Provided they have met the ISS graduation requirements, they will be awarded with an ISS Advanced High School Diploma as well as a Certificate from the International Baccalaureate (IB), listing all the subjects they have studied and what grades they were awarded. This Certificate will still allow them access to a range of university courses.

For more information about the IB Diploma Programme, please click here.

For our DP curriculum documentation, please click here.

Full IB Diploma examination schedule for May 2013 is available for download here
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For more information about the IB Diploma Programme at ISS, please contact Urs Jungo, IB DP Coordinator: ujungo@iss.edu.sg