A World-Renowed Qualification
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) is a globally recognised qualification, highly regarded by the world’s top universities. It develops students into enquiring, reflective, knowledgeable, caring, and independent young people, and is built on intercultural understanding and empathy.
The Gold Standard in Education
The IBDP is a challenging, rewarding course which opens doors to some of the most prestigious degree programmes in the world. It pushes students to excel academically, socially, and personally, and gives them the best possible chance to succeed and flourish whatever they choose to do in the future.
Taught in over 150 countries, the IBDP offers a holistic approach to education that fosters students’ intellectual and emotional skills. It aims to develop students with exceptional breadth and depth of knowledge, as well as help them thrive physically and socially.
The Course
Students at The British School Warsaw can select from over 20 subject options, and we continually develop our provision according to student interest. IBDP subjects are divided into six groups. Students must pick one subject from Groups 1–5, then another from either Group 6 or Groups 1–4. Three of the six subjects must be studied at Higher Level, and the other three at Standard Level.
- Group 1: Studies in Language or Literature
- Group 2: Language Acquisition (French, Spanish, German)
- Group 3: Individuals and Societies (Geography, History, Business Management, Economics
- Group 4: Experimental Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Sports Science)
- Group 5: Mathematics (Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches; Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation)
- Group 6: The Arts (Music, Visual Arts)
The curriculum also comprises the Diploma Programme (DP) core: Theory of Knowledge (ToK), Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS), and the Extended Essay.
ToK: Students critically examine types of knowledge (scientific, artistic, mathematical, and historical) and knowing (perception, emotion, language, and reason).
CAS: Students enhance their personal and interpersonal development by learning through unique experiences, which foster their self-determination and sense of accomplishment. CAS also provides a vital counterbalance to the academic rigour of the DP.
Extended Essay: Students complete an in-depth 4,000-word study involving research into one of their six chosen subjects, or an interdisciplinary thesis combining themes from two IB disciplines.
Assessment
The IBDP culminates in written exams and assessment tasks completed in school. These are either sent to external examiners or initially marked by teachers and then externally.
For each subject, students receive a grade from 1 to 7, with 7 being the highest. The IBDP qualification is awarded to students who achieve at least 24 points (subject to minimum performance levels across the course) and have completed the three Core Requirements (ToK, CAS, Extended Essay) to a satisfactory standard. The highest total an IBDP student can achieve is 45 points.
IBDP graduates gain admission to highly exclusive universities across the world, including Oxford, Cambridge, Yale, Princeton and Cornell. Most of these universities offer advanced standing or course credit for students with strong IB results.
Download IBDP Curriculum Guide
