A look at IB diploma programmes

IF you are keen on developing your critical thinking skills, research skills and being an independent learner, the International Baccalaureate (IB) could be the programme for you. IB is a highly challenging course compared with other pre-university programmes.

Where is it offered?

IB consists of four programmes – Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), Diploma Programme (DP) and IB Career-related Certificate (IBCC). There are 16 IB World Schools in Malaysia that offer one or more of the three IB programmes. Of the 16, these institutions offer the diploma programme.

Cempaka International Ladies’ College Cempaka Schools Fairview International School – Wangsa Maju campus

Fairview International School – Penang campus IGB International School International School of Kuala Lumpur MARA College Banting MARA College Seremban Mont Kiara International School Nexus International School Sri KDU International School Taylor’s College – Sri Hartamas The International School of Penang (Uplands)

An IB diploma can cost between RM25,000 and RM52,000 and the intake for the programme is typically in August.

Holistic education

The core requirements of an IB diploma programme are divided into six groups. Each group consists of various subjects. Below is the list of each group’s subject requirement:

Studies in language and literature – literature, language and literature, literature and performance

Language acquisition – modern and classical languages

Individuals and societies – business and management, economics, geography, history, IT, philosophy, psychology, social and cultural anthropology and world religions

Group 1:

Group 2:

Group 3:

Group 4:

Sciences – biology, computer science, chemistry, design technology, physics and sports, exercise and health science

Mathematics – mathematics (standard level, higher and further higher level)

Group 5:

Group 6:

The Arts – visual arts, theatre, film, music and dance

IB diploma students take six subjects. They are required to choose one subject from each of the first five groups (1 to 5).

For their sixth subject, they can choose either an arts subject from Group 6 or a second subject from Groups 1 to 5.

Of the six subjects, at least three should be taken at the higher level (240 teaching hours) while the other subjects can be taken at the standard level (150 teaching hours). Students also have to complete an extended essay that includes 150 hours of creative, action and service activities (CAS) and a critical thinking course known as the Theory of Knowledge (TOK).

Recognition

There are hundreds of universities across the world that recognise the IB diploma. Malaysian universities that recognise the IB diploma are University of Malaya, Universiti Tenaga Nasional and International Islamic University.

a list of overseas universities that recognise the IB diploma, visit www.ibo.org/recognition/university