The British School of Beijing, Shunyi IB Diploma

Designed to prepare students for further education at leading universities around the globe, the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme provides Year 12 and 13 students with the perfect springboard to achieve a place at their first-choice university. As well as helping students academically, the IB Diploma Programme is also designed to holistically develop them into critical and well-rounded thinkers. The programme requires students to study six subjects, one from each of the following groups: Studies in Language and Literature, Language Acquisition, Individuals and Societies, Sciences, Mathematics, and The Arts/Electives. In addition, students must fulfill the requirements of three core elements: Theory of Knowledge (ToK), the Extended Essay (EE), and the Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) portfolio.

Below you will find further information on how the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is graded and the requirements for successfully passing the IBDP. There are also links to several videos exploring the programme in more detail, including how it prepares students for the future and helps them become truly global citizens. You’ll also find  a plethora of PDF guides available to download, which will provide you with everything you need to know about this outstanding and rewarding course.

Components of the IB Diploma Programme

The Core

• Theory of Knowledge (ToK)
  • 100 hours of instruction.
  • Essay (1,600 words) which counts for 67% of the grade; externally assessed.
  • Exhibition (950 words) which counts for 33% of the grade; internally assessed, externally moderated.
  • Marks combined to form a grade from A to E.
• Extended Essay (EE)
  • A 4,000-word essay on a topic of the student's choosing within an IB subject.
  • Teachers supervise
  • Students receive input through PSHE and IB Core Days to support their research and writing process.
  • Graded on 5 criteria for a mark out of 34, which then equates to a grade from A to E.
• Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) 
  • Time split evenly between each strand - Creativity, Activity, Service.
  • Students to participate in extracurricular activities, develop new skills and participate in community service.
  • A student's CAS portfolio is developed with the CAS Coordinator.
  • Seven learning outcomes must be shown to be met.
  • CAS is a pass/fail component. Students must pass CAS to receive their Diploma.

The Subjects

Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature

• English A
• English B

Group 2: Language Acquisition

• Chinese A
• Korean A
• French, Spanish and Mandarin B and Ab Initio

Group 3: Individuals and Societies

• Economics
• Geography
• Psychology

Group 4: Sciences

• Biology
• Design Technology
• Physics

Group 5: Mathematics

• Mathematics

Group 6: The Arts and Electives

• Chemistry
• History
• Physics
• Psychology
• Visusal Art 

Students must study one subject from each group.

Three subjects are studied at Standard Level (150 hours of instruction for each subject).

Three subjects are studied at Higher Level (240 hours of instruction for each subject).

Please click on the subject names to watch a video by our teachers, or click on the Video Gallery below. 

Requirements for successful completion of the IB Diploma

The maximum point score is 45.

The minimum point score to pass is 24.

Students must achieve:

• Grade D or above for Theory of Knowledge and Extended Essay.
• "Pass" for Creativity, Activity, Service.
• A minimum of 12 points for subjects studied at the Higher Level.
• A minimum of 9 points for subjects studies at the Standard Level.

Requirements for the IB Subjects

Please see the document below "IB Diploma Subject Option Form - Class of 2023" for the subjects offered in the six IB option blocks for our  Year 12 students starting their IB Diploma in August 2021 and graduating in 2023.  Students must study one subject from each block, with three at Standard Level and three at Higher Level.

Please note that the blocks are subject to change depending on demand and students’ individual requirements. Our IB Diploma graduate programme is overseen by our experienced IB Diploma Leadership Team. Please contact them directly to ask further questions about the programme.

IB Coordinator - Ms Sarah Donnelly  sarah.donnelly@britishschool.org.cn

Head of Year 12 and 13 - Mr Chris Planchant  chris.planchant@britishschool.org.cn

University and Careers Counsellors

Ms Sarah Donnelly  sarah.donnelly@britishschool.org.cn

Mr Randall Crismond randall.crismond@britishschool.org.cn

To visit our school and see our excellent facilities and learning environment for Year 12 and 13 students, please contact our friendly Admissions team admissions@bsbshunyi.com.