Introduction

The Diploma Programme (DP) curriculum consists of completing six courses from six different subject areas, writing an Extended Essay (EE) of up to 4,000 words, taking part in the Theory of Knowledge (TOK) class, and fulfilling a requirement of 50 hours in each of the Creative, Active and Service (CAS) pursuits. Grades are awarded from 1 to 7 in each subject, and up to three 'bonus' points may be awarded depending on the grade results of the EE and TOK. Thus, a total of 45 points may be obtained by the candidate for their final diploma. In order to receive an International Baccalaureate Diploma you must receive a minimum of 24 points. If candidates study in a language other than their native language (i.e. their language A1), they may receive a Bilingual Diploma. If students choose not to fulfill all parts of the programme they can receive 'subject certificates' for the IB classes they take.

Subject Areas

Students pursuing the Diploma take six courses, usually from six different subject areas (detailed below), with three (or four) of them taken at Higher Level (HL) and the rest at Standard Level (SL). Higher Level subjects require approximately 240 hours of teaching time, and standard level subjects about 150.

Group 1: Language A1 -  It consists of students’ strongest languages, with over 80 different languages available.They may choose to self-study a language of their choice at Standard Level if their fluent language is not taught by the school.

Group 2: Second Language –This group offers additional language, taken either at A2, B (SL or HL) or ab initio (SL only). This group may also be replaced by a second A1 language.

Group 3: Individuals and Societies  It is comprised of Humanities and Social Sciences, such as Philosophy, Economics, Business & management, Psychology, Social Anthropology, information Technology in a Global Society (ITGS), Geography and History (or History of the Islamic World). At Higher Level, there are several different regionalised History classes including: History of the Americas, History of Europe, History of Africa, History of West Asia, and History of East and South-east Asia. The variant/s taught is usually largely dependent on the location of the school. In some schools it is possible to choose three subjects from this group and none from Group 4 with special permission from the IBO.

Group 4: Experimental Sciences – This group consists of subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Systems and Design Technology. In some countries, such as the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, New Zealand and Turkey students are allowed to choose three subjects from this group and none from Group 3, as it is required for admission into some universities.

Group 5: Mathematics - The subjects are, in order of increasing difficulty, Mathematical Studies (SL), Mathematics SL, and Mathematics HL. Furthermore, Further Mathematics can be studied at SL in addition to a Mathematics HL course. This group also includes computer science but only as an elective (not a substitute for the other mathematics courses).

Group 6: Arts - Subjects such as Visual Arts, Film, Music, Dance, and Theatre Arts. Students can also choose to take another subject from any of the other five groups to substitute for this group. One of the main criticisms of the Diploma Programme is that it discriminates against artists by allowing those specialising in other subject areas to take a second subject within that Group, but offering no such option for those favouring the creative arts. The defence often used to counter this point is that candidates can use their 50 'creativity' hours of their CAS programme to enrich this part of themselves. At some schools it is possible to take Ecosystems and Societies as both a Group 3 and Group 4 subject, giving the possibility of two subjects from Group 6.

Related Topics: EE, CAS,  and TOK, Assessment Procedure, Internal Assessment and Extended Essay in Business & Management