IB Diploma Programme - Core Requirements and Subject Groups

Core Requirements and Subject Groups

To be awarded an IB Diploma, a candidate must fulfill three core requirements, in addition to passing his or her subject examinations:

• Extended essay (EE). Candidates must write an independent research essay of up to 4,000 words in a subject from the list of approved EE subjects. The candidate may choose to investigate a topic within a subject they are currently studying, although this is not required. The EE may not be written on an interdisciplinary topic.

• Theory of knowledge (TOK). This course introduces students to theories about the nature and limitations of knowledge (basic epistemology) and provides practice in determining the meaning and validity of knowledge (critical thinking). It is claimed to be a "flagship element" of the Diploma Programme, and is the one course that all diploma candidates are required to take. TOK requires 100 hours of instruction, the completion of an externally assessed essay of 1,200–1,600 words (from a choice of ten titles prescribed by the IB), and an internally assessed presentation on the candidate's chosen topic.

• Creativity, action, service (CAS). CAS aims to provide students with opportunities for personal growth, self-reflection, intellectual, physical and creative challenges, and awareness of themselves as responsible members of their communities through participation in social or community work (service), athletics or other physical activities (action), and creative activities (creativity). The guideline for the minimum amount of CAS activity over the two-year Diploma programme is approximately 3–4 hours per week, though "hour counting” is not encouraged.

Subject groups

Students who pursue the IB Diploma must take six subjects, one from each of subject groups 1–5, and either one from group 6 or a permitted substitute from one of the other groups, as described below. Either three or four subjects must be taken at Higher level (HL) and the rest at Standard level (SL). The IB recommends a minimum of 240 hours of instructional time for HL courses and 150 hours for SL courses.

While the IB encourages students to pursue the full IB diploma, the "substantial workload require a great deal of commitment, organization, and initiative". If they wish, students may instead choose to register for one or more individual IB subjects, without the core requirements. Such students will not receive the full Diploma.

The six IBDP subject groups and course offerings are summarised below. More information about the subject groups and individual courses can be found at the respective subject group articles:

• Group 1: Language A1. Taken at either SL or HL, this is generally the student's native language, with over 80 different languages available. As of courses starting in summer 2011, there are now two different options for Language A1: Literature, which is very similar to the old course, and Language and Literature, a slightly more challenging adaptation of the former group 2 Language A2 subjects which have been withdrawn. The transdisciplinary pilot subject Text and Performance studies can also be taken at SL.

• Group 2: Second language. An additional language, taken at the following levels: Language B (SL or HL), or Language ab initio (SL only). Latin and Classical Greek are also offered and may be taken at SL or HL. Following the replacement of the Language A2 option with the group 1 Language and Literature offering for courses starting in summer 2011, the Language B syllabus has been changed: the coursework is now more rigorous, and at HL there is the compulsory study of two works of literature (although this is for comprehension rather than analysis and is only assessed through coursework.) In addition, B SL students can study one of the texts as a replacement for the optional topics.

• Group 3: Individuals and societies. Humanities and social sciences courses offered at both SL and HL: Business and management, Economics, Geography, History, Information technology in a global society (ITGS), Islamic history, Philosophy, Psychology, and Social and cultural anthropology. Environmental Systems and Societies is also offered at SL only. The pilot course World Religions can also be taken at SL.

• Group 4: Experimental sciences. Four courses are offered at both SL and HL: Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Design Technology, while the subjects Environmental Systems and Societies and Sport, Exercise and Health science are offered at SL only.

• Group 5: Mathematics and computer science. In order of increasing difficulty, the courses offered are Mathematical Studies SL, Mathematics SL and HL, and Further Mathematics SL, as well as two elective courses, Computer science SL and HL.

• Group 6: The arts. Courses offered at both SL and HL: Music, Theatre, Visual Arts, and Film. In lieu of taking a Group 6 course, students may choose to take an additional course from Groups 1–4 or either Further Mathematics SL (if already studying Mathematics HL) a Computer science course from Group 5, or a school-based syllabus course approved by IB. The pilot courses Dance and the transdisciplinary Text and Performance Studies are also offered, although currently only at SL.

Environmental systems and societies SL is a transdisciplinary course designed to meet the diploma requirements for groups 3 and 4.

Online Diploma Programme and pilot courses

The IB is developing a pilot online version of the IBDP and currently offers several online courses to IBDP students. Eventually, the IB expects to offer their online courses to any student who wishes to register. Additionally, the IB has developed pilot courses that include world religions, sports, exercise and health sciences, dance, and a transdisciplinary pilot course, text and performance.