IB Diploma Programme: Difference between revisions

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The '''International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma ProgramProgramme (DP)''' is an [[education]]al programprogramme examined in one of three languages ([[English language|English]], [[French language|French]] or [[Spanish language|Spanish]]). The programprogramme, administered by the [[International Baccalaureate Organization]], is a recognizedrecognised pre-university educational programprogramme<ref>[http://www.ibo.org/diploma/recognition/ IBO notes on university recognition]</ref>. It is taught in 1,956 [[List of International Baccalaureate schools|schools]], often in [[international school]]s, in 134 countries<ref>[http://www.ibo.org/school/search/index.cfm?programmes=DIPLOMA&country=&region=&find_schools=Find]</ref>. More than half of the schools offering the Diploma ProgramProgramme are state funded schools.

Students take six subjects, and must also complete 3 extra requirements: the [[Theory of Knowledge]] course (ToK), a 4000-word Extended Essay (EE), and at least 150 hours in CAS (Creativity, Action, Service) areas.<ref>[http://www.ibo.org/diploma/slidec.cfm/ Diploma ProgramProgramme at a glance: What are the three core requirements?]</ref>

Marks are awarded from 1 to 7 in each subject with 7 being the highest, and up to three additional points may be awarded depending on the results of the EE and ToK essays. The maximum possible point total in the Diploma ProgramProgramme is 45.<ref>[http://www.ibo.org/newsletter_recognition/march_2006/articlefour/]</ref> In order to receive an International Baccalaureate Diploma, candidates must receive a minimum of 24 points. There are a number of failing conditions which will prevent a student from being awarded a Diploma regardless of the points they received (such as non-completion of CAS, plagiarism, no EE etc). The IBO also requires that the candidate do fairly well on each individual exam, although these requirements allow for failure of 3 standard level subjects or 1 higher level subject if the student has at least 28 total points.<ref>http://www.vis.ac.at/_img/pdf/passingtheib.pdf</ref>

Candidates who successfully pass examinations in two languages A1, or one language A1 and one language A2 courses and meet all the other criteria for successful completion of the Diploma ProgramProgramme are eligible to receive a Bilingual Diploma. <ref>[http://www.ibo.org/diploma/recognition/guide/slidef.cfm A guide to the IB Diploma ProgramProgramme for universities and colleges: How to interpret IB grades and transcripts]</ref>

Students who complete individual IB courses and their final exams, but opt out of the full programprogramme (or fail to complete it) do not receive the IB Diploma, but instead receive IB Certificates for each subject. IB Certificates are proof of having taken the exam and of the student's score on it.

{{IB}}

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Students who pursue the diploma take six subjects; one each from Groups 1 to 5 (below) with an additional subject from 1, 2, 3, 4 or 6.

A minimum of three subjects must be taken at higher level (HL) and the rest at standard level (SL). There must be no more than 4 subjects taken at a Higher Level, unless approved by the IB coordinatorco-ordinator at the school. Higher level subjects recommend approximately 240 hours of teaching time, and standard level subjects about 150.

*'''[[IB Group 1 subjects|Group 1: Language A1]]''': Generally the student's strongest [[language]], with over 80 different languages available.

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*'''[[IB Group 4 subjects|Group 4: Experimental Sciences]]''': Subjects such as [[physics]], [[chemistry]], [[biology]], [[environmental systems]], Ecosystems & Societies, [[Design Technology]], and Sports Exercise and Health Science.

*'''[[IB Group 5 subjects|Group 5: Mathematics]]''': The subjects are, in order of increasing difficulty, Mathematical Studies SL, Mathematics SL, and Mathematics HL. Furthermore, Further Mathematics can be studied at SL in addition to a Mathematics HL course. This group also includes [[computer science]] but only as an elective (not a substitute for the other mathematics courses).

*'''[[IB Group 6 subjects|Group 6: Arts and Electives]]''': Subjects such as [[visual arts]], [[film]], [[music]], [[dance]], and [[theatertheatre arts]]. Can be replaced with another subject from Group 2, 3, or 4, or [[Computer Science]] from Group 5.

== Extended Essay ==

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== Awards ==

There are two types of award available in the IB Diploma ProgramProgramme. A student can be awarded the full Diploma or Certificates of Merit in individual subjects. The usual pass rate for the IB Diploma ProgramProgramme is approximately 80% internationally.<ref>[http://www.ibo.org/facts/21things/documents/21thingsyoushouldknowabouttheIBMarch08.pdf PowerPoint Presentation<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

=== Diploma conditions ===

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== Recognition==

In '''Canada''' and the '''United States''', some IBDP courses are recognizedrecognised as equivalent to university/college-level courses, and universities and colleges may award entering students with first-year credit depending on their points totals. In this regard it is similar to the [[Advanced Placement]] Program.

In the '''[[United Kingdom]]''', most universities, including [[University of Oxford|Oxford]] and [[University of Cambridge|Cambridge]], accept the IB Diploma as an alternative to [[Advanced Level (UK)|A-levels]] and [[Higher (Scottish)|Scottish Highers]]. [[UCAS]] created a tariff for IB points which was in use from 2008 university entry onwards.

In some countries, such as '''[[Turkey]]''' or '''[[Peru]]''', the IB Diploma is not considered equivalent to the national end-of-school examination scheme, usually because the IB Diploma is not as specializedspecialised, or because certain subjects are not offered. However, in Peru, various universities allow direct entrance to students who successfully completed the Diploma.

Other countries, such as '''Germany''', set certain conditions for the IB Diploma to be validated (a foreign language at minimum A2 Standard Level, Mathematics standard level minimum, and at least one Science or Mathematics at Higher Level).

Some universities, on the other hand, prefer the IB Diploma to the certificate which the students usually get in their own country. A list of universities admitting IB Diploma holders can be found on the IBO web site.<ref>[http://www.ibo.org/diploma/recognition/directory/ University recognition directory]</ref>

In [[Australia]], all universities accept results in the IB Diploma. Students with high scores in HL subjects may claim credit in their first year of university. Also, the [[University of Adelaide]] typically awards almost all IBDP graduates with at least four bonus SATAC points (two for completion of a foreign language, two for the completion of SL Maths or four for HL Maths, in line with students taking LOTE and Maths Studies or/and Specialist Maths in the local [[SACE]] programprogramme).

In Russia the IB diploma is accepted in most Universities (like MGU and MGMO), but conditions are set very high. For example, to study economics in MGU the IB student has to achieve an overall score of at least 36 points, including 6s in higher level subjects.

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The information given by the IBO to schools considering adopting its programs has been contested<ref>[http://www.cnht.org/news/2009/05/06/media-blocks-more-ib-info-to-mvrsd-parents/ The Real Purpose of IB]</ref>. The IB program has been cited as a crucial component of the [[US Competitiveness Initiative]]. The initiative calls for more teachers to be trained in the IB program. It proposes offering incentives to teachers who teach IB courses and teachers who increase the number of students passing the IB exams<ref>[http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/stateoftheunion/2006/aci/ American Competitiveness Initiative]</ref>.

In the US, the IB Diploma ProgramProgramme is used to set students at an international standard level. Many colleges recognize participation in (and the passing of) HL (but not SL) IB examinations for college credit. The score required often depends on the competitiveness of the college. Most require a score of 5, 6, or 7, while others will accept a 4 and some only give credit for a 6 or 7. Other schools, like [[Richmond the American International University in London]], offer up to a year's credit for students who achieve a certain total score (30+) on the IB Diploma and will accept high SL scores for students who achieve the diploma. The states of Colorado and Texas have enacted laws requiring recognition of the IBDP<ref>[http://www.state.co.us/gov_dir/leg_dir/olls/sl2003a/sl_153.htm 2003 State of Colorado House Bill 03-1108 requiring most public universities in the state to give a minimum of 24 college credits to any local diploma recipient]</ref><ref>Section 51.968(b) of the Texas Education Code states: Each institution of higher education that offers freshman-level courses shall adopt and implement a policy to grant undergraduate course credit to entering freshman students who have successfully completed the International Baccalaureate Diploma ProgramProgramme, who have achieved required scores on one or more examinations in the Advanced Placement Program or the College-Level Examination Program, or who have successfully completed one or more courses offered through concurrent enrolment in high school and at an institution of higher education.</ref>

Although the differences are often debated, AP and IBDP are considered equal by colleges at any level and admission still depends on the student engaged in these courses.{{Fact|''' opinion not substantiated - I re-wrote the opinion to be one which could be proven or disproven instead of an unprovable negative statement - Ewen '''|date=May 2009}}

===Canada===

In Canada, some IBDP courses are recognizedrecognised as equivalent to university/college-level courses, and universities and colleges may award entering students with first-year credit depending on their scores, however typically only for Higher Level examinations. {{Fact|date=May 2009}}

In this regard it is similar to the Advanced Placement ProgramProgramme. {{Fact|date=May 2009}} There are currently 122 schools in Canada offering the Diploma ProgramProgramme, and their numbers are rapidly increasing <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibo.org/country/CA/|title=IBO Country Information for Canada|accessdate=2008-12-09}}</ref>.

===Australia===

In [[Australia]], the IB Diploma ProgramProgramme is taught in a growing but still minority group of schools with approximately 2,800 [[secondary schools]]<ref>[http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/4221.0Main%20Features22007?opendocument&tabname=Summary&prodno=4221.0&issue=2007&num=&view= Australian Bureau of Statistics - School Statistics] Accessed 30 March 2008</ref> teaching under their state's educational systems compared with only 50 schools teaching the IB Diploma ProgramProgramme<ref>[http://www.ibo.org/country/AU/index.cfm IBO Australia] Accessed 30 March 2008</ref>. Although every university in [[Australia]] recognizes the IB Diploma, entry criteria often differ between universities, with some universities accepting students on their IB score alone, while others require the score to be converted using a conversion scale. In most states, this conversion scale is based on the Equivalent National Tertiary Entry Rank or 'ENTER'<ref>[http://vtac.edu.au/pdf/IB_rank_notional_ENTER.pdf VTAC Notional Enter Conversion Table] Accessed 30 March 30, 2008</ref>.

===France===

According to the "Décret du Ministère de l'Education Nationale" (23 August 1985), the IB ProgramProgramme is one of the foreign diplomas which allow students access into French universities. <ref>{{PDF|1=[http://www.u-bordeaux4.fr/infoglueDeliverLive/digitalAssets/866_decretVAP1985.pdf#search=%22d%C3%A9cret%20minist%C3%A8re%20%C3%A9ducation%20nationale%2023%20ao%C3%BBt%201985%22 texte du décret n° 85-906 du 23 août 1985 (in french)]}}</ref>

===Spain===

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===Hong Kong===

IB Diploma students may apply to [[Hong Kong]] universities as non-[[JUPAS]] (Joint University ProgramsProgrammes Admissions System). [[JUPAS]] is the system enabling applications to nine tertiary institutions in Hong Kong. {{Fact|date=May 2009}}

There is an increasing number of schools offering the IB ProgramProgramme. As of August 2008, 14 schools offer the IB Diploma (from 6 in 2004{{Fact|date=May 2009}}), 3 of which also offer the MYP. 2 of these schools and 5 others offer the PYP.<ref>[http://www.ibo.org/school/search/index.cfm?schools_order_by=dp&schools_order_by_direction=ASC IB schools in Hong Kong]</ref>

===India===

In [[India]], the IB Diploma is often seen as a "passport" to gain entry into universities abroad. {{Fact|date=May 2009}} The schools which are allowed to take on this programprogramme are the international schools, which are privately funded and as a result are very expensive.{{Fact|date=May 2009}}

Many parents are willing to spend a lot on their child's education, hence the mushrooming of schools which offer the Diploma ProgramProgramme. {{Fact|date=May 2009}} This is leading to an increase in the number of Indian Diploma students. <ref>[http://in.rediff.com/getahead/2005/jan/24ib.htm Do you want an IB education for your child?]</ref> There currently are 18 schools in India offering the IB programprogramme. <ref>[http://www.scholarshipsinindia.com/international_baccalaureate_education_in_india_IB.html IB - International Baccalaureate Education In India]</ref> In 2007, the prestigious Doon School also joined the list of schools offering the Diploma<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ibo.org/school/002603/ |title=The Doon School |accessdate=14 November 2008}}</ref>.

===Iran===

Only one school in Iran, the Tehran International School, is authorized to offer the IB diploma programprogramme<ref>[http://www.ibo.org/school/search/index.cfm?programmes=&country=IR&region=&find_schools=Find List of IB school in Iran]</ref>. Iran's programprogramme for each subject area has three levels. These levels are numerically represented as level 1, 2 or 3. (1) is equivalent to an SL (Standard level) course which is considered an honors course. (2) is equivalent to HL (Higher level) courses which provide college credit with a score of 7, and (3) is called Olympiad course. {{Fact|date=May 2009}}

IB courses are included in overall calculation of GPA for the student and since they are honors courses they have a significant impact on GPA.{{Fact|date=May 2009}}

===Singapore===

In the 2008-2009 prospectus, the National University of Singapore (NUS) recognizesrecognises IB as a high school qualification for applying to its undergraduate courses <ref>[http://www.nus.edu.sg/oam/doc/Prospectus%20AY2008-2009.pdf NUS Prospectus 2008-2009]</ref>. Nevertheless, several well-recognizedrecognised scholarships did not accept IB results favorablyfavourably, despite the high-ranking results of IB schools in Singapore.<ref>[http://app.mfa.gov.sg/pr/read_content.asp?View,9185, Straits Times 8 January 2008]</ref>

===Pakistan===

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== External links ==

{{wikibooks|International Baccalaureate}}

*[http://www.ibo.org/diploma The Diploma ProgramProgramme] at IBO's official website

*[http://www.direct.gov.uk/EducationAndLearning/QualificationsExplained/QualificationsExplainedArticles/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=10039027&chk=NngSzT ProgramProgramme overview at directgov]

[[Category:International Baccalaureate schools]]