International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme at OSC
With 64 years of academic excellence, The Overseas School of Colombo (OSC) remains Sri Lanka’s oldest internationally accredited educational institution and the only school that offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), a rigorous university preparation programme, which provides a solid base in all areas of knowledge aimed at developing a student as a whole. The IBDP has been running successfully at OSC for over 20 years. The Class of 2021 was very successful in the IB Diploma and had a 100% pass rate compared to the world average of 89% in 2021.
Offered in thousands of schools around the globe, the IBDP follows an inquiry-based approach in gaining and applying knowledge and has earned a reputation for excellence from educators, parents and students. It is highly recognised and respected by the world’s leading universities as the best preparation for post- secondary success and provides the widest reach to all university systems across the globe.
The IBDP is a comprehensive broadbased and balanced programme of study leading to external examinations for secondary school students between the ages of 16 to 19 which requires them to study courses across all disciplines. Through careful subject selection, learners tailor their course of study to meet their needs. However, regardless of the subject selection, all learners will explore the connections between the six major subject areas, study each subject through an international perspective, reflect critically on what it means to be a ‘knower’, pursue one subject in great detail through independent research, and have the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills in local and community outreach. The assessment pattern is formative rather than summative relying on a variety of different tools and strategies.
Distribution of the subject groups in the IBDP ensures that the scienceorientated student is challenged to learn a foreign language and that the natural linguist becomes familiar with science laboratory procedures. While overall balance is maintained, flexibility in choosing higher level courses allows the student to explore subjects of personal interest in depth and to meet special requirements for university entrance.
Along with the six academic subjects, students are involved in Community Service, engage in a piece of original research which culminates in an Extended Essay, and challenge themselves through a philosophy course called Theory of Knowledge. The skills that learners develop within these two years include research, writing papers, data analysis, leadership, public speaking & presenting, and becoming part of a global community – which are important when they join universities and allows them to settle comfortably into a new environment.
A beautiful feature of the IBDP curriculum is that it is a skill and concept driven programme and not a content driven programme. Unlike the conventional education system, learners are not encouraged to memorise content; rather, they are encouraged to understand and apply their knowledge.
OSC has a full-time High School Counsellor on campus who offers a thorough college counseling programme for students, providing them guidance and support in choosing a suitable path for their higher and tertiary studies whilst at the same time assisting students to complete their university applications. Over the years, our students have gained admission to highly reputable universities worldwide upon successful completion of the IB Diploma Programme.
At OSC, we provide an educational setting that is focused on developing each student to achieve their full potential. That degree of personal excellence can only come with highly qualified teachers committed to the needs of all students on a campus which balances nature with stateof-the-art technology, facilities and resources. OSC is truly a culturally diverse community with students, parents and staff working in harmony.