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In most cases, the International Baccalaureate refers to the final two years of schooling, after which graduates receive a diploma. However, in fact, the program consists of 4 stages: from kindergarten to entry into university.

• Primary School (3-12 years old)

At the primary school level, children are groomed to become researchers. They learn to understand the world around them, become curious, and respect themselves and others. 

• Middle Years (11-16 years old)

In secondary school, learning becomes more difficult, but instead of becoming a memorization of textbooks, it still represents a research activity. Children do a lot of work with their hands, conduct experiments and labs, and learn to apply what they have learned to their lives. At this time, students will understand the basic structures of society, such as their own identity, relationships, personal and cultural expression, spatial and temporal orientation, and sustainability in today's globalized world.

• Diploma Program (16-18 years old)

The broad and complex academic curriculum of the Upper School provides not only an in-depth study of school subjects, but also the overall development of the student. Boys and girls learn to think critically and analyze information. They are already able to draw their own conclusions about complex objects of knowledge, have developed emotional intelligence and are well-versed in ethical issues.

• Career-related courses (16-18 years old)

As part of the program, students study school subjects and engage in career-related studies. One of the key elements of the education is called personal and professional skills. It prepares students for the personal and professional situations they may encounter in the workplace.

The program is an alternative to the diploma program. After graduation, students can continue their studies at the university or find a job.

With the promotion of the program, IB diplomas (essentially high school diplomas) began to be recognized by leading universities around the world. Now in countries such as the United States, Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Belgium, France, Norway, and Sweden, applicants with such certificates can enter universities without passing an entrance exam. Only the pass marks in a certain group of subjects and the grade requirements in the certificate are negotiated. In other countries - for example, in Spain - IB diplomas are recognized as national diplomas, but are not exempt from passing entrance exams. As a result, students who earn an international bachelor's degree are sufficiently qualified to enter almost any university in the world.

Today, the IB program is offered in more than a thousand schools in more than 100 countries around the world. The fastest growing number of such schools is in the United States. Typically, schools that follow this model rank among the top in all countries/regions. This essentially means that IB schools receive a higher level of secondary education than national standards.

IB Performance Assessment

All subject knowledge is assessed by scores given by the school itself and by independent experts from the organization, as well as by the results of exams held in May. Each exam usually consists of two or three test suites. All test suites are obtained on the same day. For example, a chemistry exam might include Test 1 with a task and answer options. test 2 has a task that requires a written, substantiated answer. Test 3 may require students to answer a specific question in depth.

Retakes are only possible next year. Candidates have the right to retake the test 3 times.

Each test option takes 45 minutes to 3 hours, but the exam usually lasts one to two hours.

Since a large number of different subjects are usually tested during the month of the exam, students must usually write several different tests on the same day. Test results are validated by independent experts from the International Baccalaureate Organization.

The school itself (IA) conducts internal tests and exams in different formats: oral reports, practical work, written work, homework. 20-50% of the final grade obtained by the student in the subject studied depends on the school's results.

Processing and analysis of the marks given by schools and experts on the examination papers. The general performance indicators of schools around the world determine the threshold of the minimum pass mark for students to receive a diploma in any given year.

Requirements for earning a diploma

To obtain the IB Diploma, the following requirements must be met.

A minimum of three subjects studied in depth and three subjects studied according to the standard curriculum.

Four subjects studied in depth and two studied according to standard procedures.

A score of 2 or more in each of the six subjects studied: for example, native language - 2 points, second language - 3 points, and so on. A minimum of 24 points must be obtained by the student.

150 hours must be spent on creativity, sports and social work during the course.

You need to submit your thesis.

Provide a summary and introduction to the Theory of Knowledge course. To receive the diploma, students must receive a minimum grade of D (III) for their thesis or Theory of Knowledge paper.

Certificate

Students may opt out of the full diploma program and enroll in a subject-specific certificate program. Applicants who study only one subject may ignore the additional requirements for obtaining the diploma (no dissertation, no epistemology course, no social work, no creativity and no sports). However, if a student decides to earn a certificate in the subject of World History, then he must take and study a course in Theory of Knowledge.

Those students who manage to study and successfully pass the additional subject knowledge exam in addition to the IB diploma course will also receive a certificate proving their level of knowledge in the subject.

Confessions

In Canada and the United States, some IB Diploma programs are considered to be first-year courses at a university or college. Universities and colleges may allow a student to enter the second year, depending on his or her final IB Diploma score. Thus, the IB Diploma is equivalent to the Advanced Profile Program.

In England, most universities, including Oxford and Cambridge, accept the IB Diploma as an alternative to English A-levels or the Scottish High School Certificate. The UCAS organization created a table of IB Diploma scores in 2008, which shows the minimum score for admission to each university in the country.

In some countries, such as Turkey or Peru, the IB Diploma is not considered equivalent to the National High School Diploma. Usually the reason for this position is that the IB Diploma program is not as specialized as in a given country, or that the IB Diploma program does not offer certain subjects of study. However, in Peru, some universities accept students with an IB diploma.

The IB program is taught in three main languages - English, French and Spanish. Only accredited schools can award diplomas and certificates.

The IB International Baccalaureate program allows you to create individual courses. The choice of subjects depends on the future major of the university, the student's interests and level of preparation.

The IB (International Baccalaureate) Program is a global educational initiative that offers a comprehensive and deeper approach to learning, encompassing academic, personal and social aspects. It is designed to prepare students for international education and successful adaptation in a global context.

The IB Program covers three age groups: Primary Years Program (PYP) for ages 3-12, Middle Years Program (MYP) for students ages 11-16, and Diploma Program (DP) for high school students ages 16-19.

Kevin McDonnell

Specialist in International Students of the University of Sussex

Is it difficult for talented students to obtain scholarships? What kind of financial aid is typically available?

Scholarships are available but tend to be modest. They are often awarded for academic or extracurricular excellence. Typically, scholarships offer a discount on tuition or other benefits, with full scholarships covering most costs being rare and highly competitive.

At the University of Suffolk, for example, we offer international scholarships of £1500 for high-performing applicants.

The IB program develops critical thinking, research skills, intercultural awareness and communication skills. It prepares students for university education by fostering leadership and independent thinking.

In the IB program, students study subjects from six groups: Language and Literature, Second Language, Humanities, Science, Mathematics, and Arts. In addition, the program includes requirements for Creative Action (CAS), Theory of Knowledge (TOK), and writing a research paper (Essay, Extended Essay). This provides a well-rounded and in-depth education for students.

CAS is a required component of the IB Diploma program designed to develop artistic, physical and social skills through creative and social activities, physical exercise and volunteer work.

The maximum score a student can receive in the IB program is 45 points.

To be admitted to the top universities in the world for the IB program, you usually need to have high scores, as the competition in such universities is high. However, the exact requirements may vary depending on the specific university, program and country. In most cases, successful applicants have scores close to the maximum score (45 points), but additional factors such as letters of recommendation, extracurricular achievements and motivation letter are also important.

The IB Diploma is widely recognized and accepted in universities and educational institutions around the world. This includes many countries, both developed and developing. Some of the popular countries that accept the IB Diploma include USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and many others. Universities in these countries value the IB Diploma for its academic rigor and comprehensive approach to education.

Yes, in some cases it is possible to transfer from the A-Level program to the IB program. However, this may depend on specific schools, universities and their requirements. Before making a decision, it is important to contact schools to learn about the transition process, assessment of previous results, and possible differences in curriculum.

The comparison of difficulty between the IB and A-Level program depends on the individual student. IB has a broader range of subjects and requires the completion of additional components such as CAS and TOK, which can be more intensive. A-Level, by focusing on selected subjects, may allow for more in-depth study but may require more specialized training.