International Baccalaureate Diploma

 
                                             
The IB is ideal for...       

Motivated students interested in a broad range of subjects, who may not yet have decided what they want to specialise in at University.

IB students usually have a strong interest in the world around them and current affairs. They are prepared to work hard and take part in social and cultural activities as well as academic study. 

• 6 subjects studied over two years plus 3 additional modules: Theory of Knowledge, Creativity Action and Service and an Extended Essay
• Assessment: Final exams at the end of two years, plus coursework, CAS, extended essay and presentations.
• Is recognised by the best universities worldwide
• Has a particular focus on international studies and relating subjects to events in the real world

About the course...

Read more about the International Baccalaureate (IB)
Why study IB with us?
What subject options are available?
View a sample timetable

The international route to any University, recognised around the world

The International Baccalaureate was created over 40 years ago by an organization of private teachers in Switzerland, to provide high quality education for a global world. 

The IB programme provides a broad overview of subjects from a range of disciplines, including science, languages, humanities and the arts. It is ideal for students who have a wide range of interests, and who want to explore these interests further before specialising at university.

IB students are encouraged to celebrate cultural differences and approach problems with an international perspective.

Working locally, travelling globally

As part of the IB programme, you will work within the local Canterbury community to raise funds for the charities you choose to support, and help with local projects. This will teach you the skills to run your own fundraising events, which count towards your final qualification – our current IB students are working towards raising enough money to travel to Tanzania.

During the planned visit, students will visit local Tanzanian schools and find out more about African society and culture. The trip will also involve learning some basic Swahili and Maasi, bush walking, surveying & tracking and a safari where students will observe the "Big 5": lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino.

Find out more about the activities in which our IB students have been involved.

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Specialist coaching from academic experts

Our students benefit from a comprehensive study support package, including University / Careers advice and assistance with university applications.

We also offer specialist training for:

• Oxbridge: students applying to Oxford or Cambridge
• Medicine (BMAT): students applying to study Medicine and preparing for BMAT exams
• USA (SATS): students applying to US Universities and preparing for SATS exams

We offer a unique study support programme

Our students succeed because of the unique study support we provide, including:

• Individual Learning plans: tailored specifically for you, targets are set and achievements measured to ensure you achieve your goals and reach your potential.
• Free and unlimited supplementary tuition: if you work hard, we will provide as much supplementary tuition as you may need – absolutely free.
• Weekly assessment and monitoring: a key to your success, these enable you to check your learning, revisit areas of weakness and be completely comfortable under exam situations.
• Carefully balanced teaching methods: you will benefit from a variety of carefully chosen teaching methods that match your preferred learning style and prepare you for university.
• Weekly meetings with your Personal Tutor: for regular support and guidance.
• Extensive support network: extending beyond the academic, our network of support and extra-curricular activities build independent, mature and caring individuals.

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Subject options

Student select one option from each of the groups below, 3 at 'Higher' level (usually your strongest subjects) and 3 at 'Standard' level. There are three additional elements to the course: Creativity, Action & Service (CAS), Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay.

Group 1 - Students first language
English	Mandarin
Russian	Lithuanian
German	Vietnamese
Spanish	Korean
French	Georgian
Cantonese	etc
Group 2 - Second language
English	Spanish ab initio
Group 3 - Individuals and Societies
Economics	Geography
Group 4 - Experimental Sciences
Biology	Physics
Envrionmental Systems and Societies
Group 5 - Mathematics and Computer Science
Mathematical Studies	Mathematics
Group 6 - The Arts
Theatre Arts	Visual Arts
Or another subject from groups 2-4 as follows:  French (beginner)  Spanish (beginner)  Japanese (beginner)  History  Chemistry

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Theory of Knowledge

This module allows students to think about knowledge more critically. It is structured around asking a lot of questions, such as, 'How do we know'? This encourages students to:

• consider the role and nature of knowledge in their own culture, in the cultures of others and in the wider world
• be aware of themselves as thinkers, encouraging them to become more aware of the complexity of knowledge
• recognize the need to act responsibly in an increasingly interconnected but uncertain world.

Although hard to describe, this is a very stimulating part of the course that gives students the opportunity to share their different cultures with each other, and discuss a wide range of fascinating issues.

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Creativity, Action, Service (CAS)

This fun and dynamic part of the course aims to broaden our students' outlook beyond their academic study, providing a balanced approach to their lives.

• Creativity is interpreted broadly to include a wide range of arts activities as well as the creativity students demonstrate in designing and implementing service projects.
• Action can include not only participation in individual and team sports but also taking part in expeditions and in local or international projects.
• Service encompasses a wide range of community and social service activities. Some examples include helping children with special needs, visiting hospitals and working with refugees or homeless people.

Students are involved in CAS activities for the equivalent of at least three hours each week during the two years of the programme. After each activity, the students write a short piece reflecting on what they have learned about themselves and others.

Our CAS supervisor ensures that we offer a varied choice of activities for our students - take a look at some of the activites that have taken place over the last year.

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Extended essay

Students will independantly research and write a 4,000 word essay on a topic of their choosing. This provides:

• practical preparation for the kinds of undergraduate research required at university
• an opportunity for students to engage in an in-depth study of a topic of interest within a chosen subject.

Here are some examples of recent essay topics our students have chosen:

• Is the national inflation rate the same as the local inflation rate, in Canterbury?
• Is bio-ethanol going to be a useful alternative to petrol?
• What is the case for Christian belief in the face of natural disasters and human suffering?
• Is photography Art?
• To what extent did the Fascist regime under Benito Mussolini influence the Italian Education System and Youth to this day?
• The origins of the second Gulf war (1990-1991)

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Sample timetable

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
09.00-09.40	German	Economics	Biology	Independent Study	German
09.40-10.30	German	Economics	Biology	Personal Tutor One-to-one	German
10.45-11.35	Spanish	Biology	Theory of Knowledge	Economics	Theory of Knowledge
11.35-12.25	Spanish	Biology	Maths Studies	Spanish	Maths Studies
12.25-13.25	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch
13.25-14.15	English	English	English	English	English
14.15-15.05	Economics	Maths Studies	Biology	Sports and Activities	German
15.05-15.55	Economics	Maths Studies	Independent Study	Sports and Activities	Spanish
16.00-17.00	Creativity, Action, Service	Creativity, Action, Service	Independent Study	Independent Study	Independent Study

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Programme assessment

Students will be assessed to determine suitability for their enrolled programme. We reserve the right to counsel them to a more appropriate programme as a result of this initial assessment. Click here to find out more.