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SISD offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) as part of the full IB continuum (PYP, MYP, DP/CP), preparing students aged 16–18 for leading universities worldwide. Our English-French and English-German bilingual pathways, Swiss-inspired academic standards and personalised subject choices make SISD one of the most established IB Diploma schools in Dubai and the wider Middle East.
The IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) is an academically challenging and rewarding qualification highly regarded by the world’s best universities. This 2-year course fully prepares students for higher education, developing far more than just their academic skills. As one of the world’s top 100 schools, SISD’s IB Diploma is especially prestigious.
The IBDP is recognised as the gold standard of international education, offering a balanced experience that educates the whole student. It provides opportunities for our learners to challenge themselves at a high level and excel academically. It also develops their confidence, creativity, and critical thinking skills, as well as deepening their understanding of the world around them.
The IB Diploma also offers choice and flexibility. At SISD, your child will be able to customise the IBDP to suit them and their aspirations. Their specialist subjects, Extended Essay topic, and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) activities can be tailored around their strengths, language preferences, and career goals. This is just one of the many reasons that make us the best IB school in Dubai.
SISD’s IBDP is one of the finest in the Middle East because it integrates the academic rigour of the Diploma Programme with bilingual pathways, Swiss educational quality and a highly international school environment. Students follow personalised subject combinations supported by specialist IB-trained teachers, dedicated Extended Essay guidance and strong TOK instruction.
Our campus community, representing more than 70 nationalities, reflects the global mindset fostered in the IBDP and prepares learners for international university pathways. SISD graduates progress to some of the world’s best universities, supported by expert counselling and a holistic approach to wellbeing, CAS and co-curricular learning. These elements combine to create one of the region’s most comprehensive and future-focused IB Diploma learning experiences, and one we’re incredibly proud of.
The IB Diploma has two fundamental strands: specialist subject groups and the core programme.
Your child will study six subject groups: Language and Literature, Language Acquisition, Individuals and Societies, Sciences, Mathematics, and Creative Arts. Three of these groups are taken at higher level and three at standard level.
They’ll also complete the core IB Diploma programme – Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay, and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) – to achieve their full Diploma.
The main difference between the IB Career-related Programme (IBCP) and the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) is their core focus. Both follow the IB framework, but the IBCP is designed for students who want a more vocational or career-focused pathway, combining IB subjects with professional certificates and real-world skills.
The IBDP, on the other hand, is academically rigorous and internationally recognised as a strong pathway to leading universities worldwide. It includes core components such as the Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge and CAS, preparing students for research, critical thinking and independent study.
Both programmes are respected globally and valued by leading universities and employers. At SISD, students can choose the pathway that best fits their strengths, interests and future goals, with full guidance and support provided for each pathway.
IBDP | IBCP | |
Primary Focus | Academic, preparation for university | Career-related learning |
Core Components | EE, TOK, CAS | CP core, service learning, reflective project |
Best For | Students aiming for a place at a leading global universities | Students wanting applied learning and industry specific skills |
As the top IB school in Dubai, we educate with the future in mind. With our IB Diploma, we ensure our students are equipped with the skills, qualities and knowledge they need to get into the world’s best universities. Ensuring our students can go on to attend their university of choice is central to our holistic approach.
Alongside their IBDP studies, our students receive expert guidance from our College Counselling Team to help them research, plan and work towards their university aspirations. The team are there to assist with everything from initial research to final application and, ultimately, to empower our students to shape their own path. It is this kind of support that means our students frequently secure places at some of the world’s best universities including University College London, McGill and Edinburgh to name just a few.
For more information on the IBDP and the other options available for your child, please get in touch with our admissions team. If you’d love to come and experience SISD yourself, book a tour of our campus at the link below and let us welcome you to our international family.
The IBDP is a two-year programme for students aged 16–18 that combines academic rigour with global-minded learning. It includes six subject groups alongside core components: the Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge and CAS. These are designed to develop critical thinking, research skills and independence. The IBDP is recognised by universities worldwide.
Students choose the IBDP at SISD for its bilingual pathways, Swiss-inspired academic quality and highly international school environment. SISD provides personalised subject guidance, specialist IB-trained teachers and strong support for the core elements of the programme, helping learners progress to competitive universities across the UK, US, Europe and the Middle East.
The IBDP builds the skills universities value most: analytical thinking, academic writing, independent research and effective time management. Through the Extended Essay, TOK and a balanced subject load, students gain the ability to manage complex academic tasks and a strong foundation for undergraduate study in international universities.
SISD offers a wide range of IBDP subjects across the six required groups, allowing students to personalise their pathway based on their strengths and university goals. Learners can study languages, sciences, mathematics, humanities and arts, alongside bilingual French–English or German–English options depending on their chosen pathway.
Both pathways follow the IB framework, but the IBDP is academically focused and designed for entry into higher education, while the IBCP blends IB subjects with a career-related qualification and workplace-linked learning. SISD offers both options and helps students choose the route that best suits their interests and ambitions.
Our holistic approach – with its flexible bilingual pathways, all-through International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum, and roots in Swiss standards of excellence – offers a truly exceptional education.
OUR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
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