Have you been thinking about choosing a path for your child to enter top universities around the world recently? 

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) is a globally recognized "pass".

It not only requires children to have a good command of English and strong self-discipline, but also focuses on cultivating their abilities

 of independent thinking, research and all-round development. For children who possess these traits, the IBDP 

would be an ideal choice to stimulate their potential and open the door to world-renowned universities.

What is the IB curriculum?

The International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) has designed a continuous education system for students 

worldwide that runs from kindergarten to pre-university, known as the IB curriculum.

This system is divided into three main stages based on the age of students: the IBPYP (Primary Years Programme) for children aged 3 to 12, 

the IBMYP (Secondary Years Programme) for students aged 11 to 16, and the IBDP (Pre-University Programme) for students aged 16 to 19. 

The IB curriculum usually mentioned specifically refers to the IBDP program in the high school stage.

The picture is from the IB official website

The diploma of this course is widely recognized by over 4,000 institutions of higher learning in more than 140 countries and regions around the world.

What types of students is it suitable for?

This curriculum system is particularly suitable for students with the following characteristics:

1. Possess excellent English proficiency, especially in written expression;

2. Possess a high degree of self-discipline and excellent time management skills;

3. Outstanding performance in conducting research, investigations and experiments;

4. Students who have not yet decided to study in either the UK or the US, or who plan to apply to universities in both countries simultaneously.

Course structure, assessment and grading

1. Duration of Study and Core Requirements

The IBDP is a two-year program. Students are required to complete six subject examinations and participate in three core activities: 

CAS (Creation, Action and Service), EE (Extended Essay), and TOK (Epistemology). Once a subject is selected, in principle, it cannot be changed during the process.

2. Subject Composition:

Students are required to choose one subject from each of the six subject groups to study.

3. Difficulty level:

Each subject is divided into two levels of difficulty: HL (Advanced Level) and SL (Standard Level).

4. Course Selection requirements:

Students must take three HL subjects and three SL subjects, totaling six subjects. Course selection must strictly follow the division of 

subject groups and the quantity regulations, and take into account the requirements of future professional directions. Arbitrary combinations are not allowed.

5. Scoring System

Individual subject scores are rated from 0 to 7 points, and the upper limit of the total score for the six subjects is 42 points. 

The combined contribution of Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and Extended Essay (EE) can reach up to 3 points. Therefore, the total score of the IBDP course is 45 points.

6. Examination Arrangements

The global unified examination is held every May, and the results are usually announced in July.

Course selection suggestions

Based on your intended major direction, you can refer to the following course combination suggestions

1. Economics Direction

For HL subjects, it is recommended to choose Mathematics/Further Mathematics + Economics + Language and Literature.

 For SL subjects, one can consider geography/Philosophy plus one science subject (Biology/Physics/Chemistry).

2. Natural Science Direction

Core subjects typically include Mathematics (HL), supplemented by science (HL) subjects such as physics, chemistry, and biology,

 and supplemented by science (SL) subjects such as business management, economics, and environmental science.

3. STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) :

Focus on choosing Mathematics HL and pair it with two or more HL subjects from biology/Chemistry/Physics.

4. Medical Direction:

Core subjects are recommended to include Chemistry HL, Biology HL, and Mathematics/Physics HL or SL.

5. Engineering Direction

The recommended combination of HL subjects is Mathematics/Further Mathematics + Physics + Chemistry.

6. Physics Direction

For HL subjects, it is advisable to choose Advanced Mathematics + Physics + Chemistry.

7. Humanities, Social Sciences and Arts Direction

Typical combinations include Language and Literature A HL, Language B HL, History HL, and are paired with Mathematics SL.