IB Diploma Programme

The IBDP is an internationally-recognised celebration of achievement that provides additional evidence to support university applications.

The IB is highly regarded by leading universities around the globe thanks to its transferability, rigour and breath of study. Research studies have shown that IB Diploma students are more likely to gain entry to top-level universities than entrants with A-levels or other qualifications.

The IBDP is a high quality programme of international education that will help your child to:

• Gain university-level skills, and develop their skills outside of the classroom.
• Attain more options when applying to university, due to its global recognition
• Become a confident, independent learner with an international mindset
• Build good study habits and strong time management to further their success in the working world
• Learn to understand – not just memorise facts – and make connections between subjects.

At ACS Egham, we have an expert team of University & College Counsellors who assist students in finding the right “fit” for their future university studies.

The IBDP is not a programme that relies on standardised textbooks and rote learning. It is an enquiry-based programme that requires students to think independently, be creative and apply problem-solving skills to real-world situations.

Students are required to study six courses to enable them to gain a more well-rounded qualification ahead of starting university and entering the workplace. This offers them the opportunity to explore what they are passionate about before they select a specific subject for university.

In addition to the chosen subjects, IB students must complete the Theory of Knowledge, Creative, Action and Service (CAS), and the Extended Essay components. These encourage self-directed learning, providing students with the skills they need to thrive at university and in their future careers.

The IBDP is assessed using a combination of internal and external assessments to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of a student’s capabilities and prepare them for university education and beyond.

Each subject is graded on a scale of 1 to 7, with 7 being the highest. Students can earn up to 45 points, with 42 points from six subjects (each graded up to 7 points) and 3 additional points from the Theory of Knowledge essay and the Extended Essay. To earn the diploma, students must achieve a minimum of 24 points.

The Core Components are also assessed:

• Theory of Knowledge (TOK): Assessed through an essay and an oral presentation.
• Extended Essay (EE): A 4000-word essay which is assessed based on the quality of research and argumentation.
• Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS): Students must complete a project related to these three areas, though it is not formally assessed, completion is required for the diploma.

The IBDP helps students gain offers from prestigious universities around the world. High education institutions in more than 90 countries accept students based on their IBDP credentials, while many US public and private colleges and universities offer credit or accelerated courses of study in the light of strong IBDP results.

Research has shown that students graduating with the IB Diploma have a 57% greater likelihood of attending one of the top 20 UK universities, compared to students who study the traditional A-Levels. Studies show that IB students are 21% more likely to be admitted into the United States’ most prestigious universities.

A report, by the Higher Education Statistics Agency in the UK, shows that an IB student is more likely to gain a first-class honours degree than an A-Level student (23% versus 19% respectively).

A recent survey asked 80 UK university admissions officers (representing almost half of universities in the UK) which entry qualification their university preferred. The majority of these universities believed the IB Diploma was the better preparation for university and the workplace. Both in the UK and globally, the IB Diploma is consistently rated as the best qualification for university as it provides students with the skills they need to thrive in higher education.

SL: Standard Level

HL: Higher Level

Students may choose an alternative pathway to the IB Diploma Programme, while still undertaking the academically rigorous IB Curriculum. For a variety of reasons, the Diploma Programme pattern of study may not be the best or most appropriate pathway for all students and IB Courses may be a viable alternative. This may be a good option for students who wish to rely on the strength of their High School Diploma transcript and as such do not need to meet the pass conditions of the IB Diploma Programme.

Initially, students are required to choose six subjects in order to meet the ACS High School Diploma minimum credits, however, at a later point in the programme students can choose to take fewer subjects. Students are required to take Theory of Knowledge in Grade 11 and are required to undertake CAS in both Grades 11 and 12.