The British International School HCMC is one of the leading IB schools in Vietnam. Our International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is a globally recognised qualification that prepares students for admissions into higher education. The intensive programme, designed for students aged 16-18 years old, aims to develop inquisitive, knowledgeable and caring young people, ready to help create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.
Our IB schools in Vietnam help students prepare themselves for university and the real-world challenges they may face in the future. The IBDP comprises of six academic subjects and other core learnings. You’ll find all the information you need on the IB programme offered at the British International School in Vietnam detailed below.
What is the IB Diploma Programme?
At the British International School, Ho Chi Minh City (BIS HCMC), students undertake the two-year International Baccalaureate® Diploma Programme in Years 12 and 13 (aged 16-18), with the support of our dedicated Sixth Form team. The IB Diploma Programme provides a challenging and rewarding educational experience, and is based on the philosophy that students should embrace enquiry and apply critical thinking skills to real world situations.
The IBDP curriculum comprises of six academic subjects, along with the IB core of Creativity Activity Service (CAS), Theory of Knowledge (TOK), and the Extended Essay (EE). The diagram below illustrates the structure of the Diploma Programmme:

As the diagram highlights, students select academic subjects - three at Higher Level, three at Standard Level - from six groups:
Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature
Group 2: Language Acquisition
Group 3: Individuals and Societies
Group 4: Sciences
Group 5: Mathematics
Group 6: The Arts or an Elective from Group 3 or Group 4
The academic IB subjects are supported by the IBDP core components:
- Extended Essay (EE) – a 4000 word essay on a subject of interest to the student.
- Theory of Knowledge (TOK) – this invites students to question the basis and limits of knowledge from their own perspective.
- CAS (Creativity, Activity and Service) – students participate in various purposeful and personally challenging activities related to these three areas.
The IB Diploma Programme offers a broad range of academic subjects for students to study. This allows your child to personalise their learning, to reflect their own individual passions and interests. This provides excellent preparation for the rigours of university and adult life, and is widely recognised by many as the leading post-16 qualification currently available.
Why choose the International Baccalaureate® Diploma for your child?
A proven pathway to success
Universities worldwide hold the IB Diploma in high esteem, with IB students continually being accepted at some of the highest ranking colleges and universities. As this is an international qualification, it is particularly useful for students who plan to study or work abroad.