A look into IB diploma programme

If you’re keen to developing your critical thinking skills, research skills and independent learning, International Baccalaureate (IB) could be your ticket. IB is a highly challenging course compared to other pre-university courses such as A-levels.

Who’s offering it?

IB consists of four programmes. These are 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 offering one or more of the three IB programmes. Of the total, 13 institutions* offer the diploma programme.

• Cempaka International Ladies’ College
• Cempaka Schools
• Fairview International School – Wangsa Maju campus
• Fairview International School – Penang
• IGB International School
• International School of Kuala Lumpur
• MARA College Banting
• MARA College Seremban
• Mont Kiara International School
• Nexus International School – Putrajaya
• Sri KDU International School
• Taylor’s College – Sri Hartamas
• The International School of Penang (Uplands)

IB diploma can costs from RM25,000 to more than RM50,000, and intake usually starts in August.

Holistic Education

IB diploma programme has core requirements which are grouped into six. Each group consists of many various subjects. These are:

• Group 1: Studies in language & literature – Literature, Language & Literature, Literature and performance

• Group 2: Language acquisition – Modern and Classical languages

• Group 3: Individuals and Societies – Business & Management, Economics, Geography, History, IT, Philosophy, Psychology, Social & Cultural Anthropology and World Religions

• Group 4: Sciences – Biology, Computer Science, Chemistry, Design Technology, Physics, and Sports, Exercise & Health Science

• Group 5: Mathematics – Mathematics (standard level, higher and further higher level)

• Group 6: The Arts – Visual Arts, Theatre, Film, Music, and Dance

IB diploma students take six subjects. Students must choose each subject from each of the first five groups (1 to 5). Students may 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 higher level (240 teaching hours), while the other subjects are taken at 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 dubbed ‘Theory of Knowledge’ (TOK).

Recognition

Hundreds of universities across over 140 countries recognize the IB. There is recognition of the IB diploma for admission to universities in Malaysia. These include the University of Malaya, Universiti Tenaga Nasional and International Islamic University.

For overseas, the list of universities can be viewed at http://www.ibo.org/recognition/university/