IB Diploma Route (IBDP)
In order to study on the IBDP route, students must first meet our general matriculation requirement of 5 GCSEs grades 9-5 including a grade 5 or above in English. Evidence of an international perspective is required for external students, together with a satisfactory reference from their current school.
We require that the student has obtained a grade 6, or above, at GCSE for any subject that they wish to study at Higher Level and a grade 5, or above, for any subject that they wish to study at Standard Level, with the exception of Mathematics.
Our Sixth Form is unusual in that we offer you the IBDP as an alternative to A Levels. The IBDP is accepted as an entry qualification to Higher Education and professions throughout the world and our experience shows that it is particularly highly regarded by all Universities. The educational philosophy of the IB is simple: to provide a balanced academic programme which avoids over–specialisation but does not sacrifice depth to breadth.
In the IBDP you will take six subjects, three at Higher Level (the equivalent to A Level) and three at Standard Level (the equivalent to AS Level). The nature of the examination has not changed at all, unlike the recent A Level changes. The six subjects must come from the categories below:
| GROUP 1 | |||
| English Literature | HL | SL | |
| GROUP 2 | |||
| French | HL | SL | |
| German | HL | SL | |
| Italian | SL | Ab Initio | |
| Japanese | SL | ||
| Mandarin | SL | ||
| Russian | SL | ||
| Spanish | HL | SL | Ab Initio |
| GROUP 3 | |||
| Business Management | SL | ||
| Economics | HL | SL | |
| Geography | HL | SL | |
| Global Politics | SL | ||
| History | HL | SL | |
| Philosophy | HL | SL | |
| Psychology | HL | SL | |
| GROUP 4 | |||
| Biology | HL | SL | |
| Chemistry | HL | SL | |
| Physics | HL | SL | |
| GROUP 5 | |||
| Mathematics Analysis | HL | ||
| Mathematics Applications | SL | ||
| GROUP 6 ELECTIVE | |||
| Visual Arts | HL | SL | |
| or | |||
| Chemistry | HL | SL | |
| Economics | HL | SL | |
| French | HL | SL | |
| History | HL | SL | |
| Mandarin | SL | ||
| Psychology | HL | SL | |
| Spanish | HL | SL |
Additionally students will be required to:
- Follow the Theory of Knowledge course which encourages logical, critical and philosophical thought, completing an exhibition in year 1 and an essay in year 2
- Participate in a range of Creative, Activity and Community Services (CAS)
- Write a research-based Extended Essay in one of the six subjects
The grades for each subject range from 7 (highest) to 1 (lowest) and a minimum of 24 points is required to obtain a Diploma. Candidates can obtain up to 3 additional points for a good Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge mark.