What Is the IB Diploma?

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, often called the IB Diploma, is a two-year pre-university program for students aged about 16 to 19. It is offered in schools around the world and is designed to give students a broad education, with emphasis on critical thinking, research and international perspective. Universities in many countries recognize it for admission and some award credit.

Structure

Students study six subjects, usually three at higher level and three at standard level, drawn from groups such as language and literature, language acquisition, individuals and societies, sciences, mathematics and the arts. They also complete three core components:

• Extended essay, an independent research paper of about 4,000 words.
• Theory of Knowledge, a course about how we know what we know.
• Creativity, Activity, Service, which involves experiences outside the classroom.

Scoring

Each subject is graded from 1 to 7, for a maximum of 42 points, and up to 3 additional points come from the core, for a total of 45. Passing the diploma needs a minimum total and meeting specific conditions. Final exams are taken at the end of the program, together with internal assessments marked by teachers and moderated externally.

How universities use it

Admissions officers in the US, UK, Canada, Europe and elsewhere typically know the IB. UK universities usually make offers in terms of total points and specific subject grades. US colleges may use the IB as evidence of rigor, and many grant credit or advanced standing for higher-level courses with strong scores. Policies are published by each institution, and some are generous while others are limited.

Compared with other pathways

Compared with A Levels, the IB is broader, requiring study across several fields. Compared with AP, the IB is a full program and not individual courses, though some students take IB courses individually.

Related terms

See AP credit, A Levels, baccalaureate, dual enrollment and predicted grades.