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The International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) is one of the world's most exciting educational courses for 16-19 year olds.

It focuses on personal, professional and academic development and is globally recognized by universities for the holistic and rigorous education it provides.

The IB works hard to make sure the DP is globally recognised by universities, with its students gaining competitive offers for further study.

All DP curriculums are reviewed on a seven-year teaching cycle to ensure that each is fit for purpose in a changing world and incorporates the latest educational research and lessons learned from a thorough evaluation of the existing curriculum. The DP curriculum review is a collaborative process that aims to produce excellent, internationally minded, research-based curriculums and support material that enable students to develop the attributes of the learner profile and the IB mission, thereby providing an excellent preparation for life in the 21st century.

The contributions from university faculty towards the development and evaluation of our curriculums over the course of the 7-year teaching cycle are essential. Other opportunities to support curriculum development include participating in the assessment trial of a new component, joining a focus group on potential developments in a given subject area, completing a survey on teaching and assessment of a subject area at your institution, or writing a commissioned review of a new guide. If you have questions about programme development or would like to participate in curriculum or programme review activities, please email us.

You can also read more about upcoming curriculum updates.

How is the IB recognized in different countries?

There are IB World Schools in nearly 150 countries throughout the world, and students send exam results to higher education institutions in nearly 90 countries annually. Given the wide diversity of local education systems it can be difficult to understand how the IB is recognized in various parts of the world.

To learn more on IB recognition information at the national level, read about the IB by country.

Which universities recognize IB programmes?

Higher education institutions around the world admit students based on their IB credentials, and many have specific admissions policies and guidelines for IB students. Admissions criteria can vary widely across educational systems and selectivity of the institution. As we support universities moving from our university policy index into the IB Student Registry, information on university recognition policies can be found in both IB resources.

University policy index

The university policy index [498 KB] includes self-reported policy information provided by universities to the IB through December 2017.

For general recognition queries, please contact us.

Where do IB students tend to go to university and how do they do once there?

There is a growing body of evidence on how universities value IB credentials, rates of college-going for IB students and types of institutions IB students tend to attend, preparedness for university level study and adjustment to university life. Read a brief introduction to research on postsecondary patterns of IB students.

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The International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) is one of the world's most exciting educational courses for 16-19 year olds. It focuses on personal, professional and academic development and is globally recognized by universities for the holistic and rigorous education it provides.

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IB students are free to apply to any university they like. However, the IB works with some universities to develop recognition policies that set out an institution's requirements for IB students.

Universities without published recognition policies may still accept students with IB credentials, and an IB recognition policy does not necessarily guarantee admission.

Find universities with published recognition policies.

Seeking admission to university

As part of its commitment to schools and students, the IB sends transcripts to six higher education institutions per student.

DP programme coordinators can request this before students receive their grades. If they do so before grades are issued, the service is free of charge.

Find out how to request this service.

How the IB works with universities

Read about how the IB supports students' admission to university by working with higher education institutions.

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University admissions | Diploma | International Baccalaureate®

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IB students are free to apply to any university they like. However, the IB works with some universities to develop recognition policies that set out an institution's requirements for IB students. Universities without published recognition policies may still accept students with IB credentials, and an IB recognition policy does not necessarily guarantee admission.

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The International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) uses both internally and externally assessed components to assess student performance.

For most courses, written examinations at the end of the DP form the basis of the assessment. This is because these examinations have high levels of objectivity and reliability.

Externally assessed coursework, completed by students over an extended period under authenticated teacher supervision, forms part of the assessment for several programme areas, including the theory of knowledge (TOK) essay and the extended essay (EE).

In most subjects, students also complete in-school assessment tasks. These are either externally assessed or marked by teachers and then moderated by the IB.

How DP assessment is scored

In the DP, students receive grades ranging from 7 to 1, with 7 being highest. Students receive a grade for each DP course attempted.

A student's final Diploma result score is made up of the combined scores for each subject. The diploma is awarded to students who gain at least 24 points, subject to certain minimum levels of performance including successful completion of the three essential elements of the DP core.

The DP core

The theory of knowledge (TOK) and extended essay (EE) components are awarded individual grades and, collectively, can contribute up to 3 additional points towards the overall Diploma score.

Creativity, Action, Service - the remaining element in the DP core - does not contribute to the points total but authenticated participation is a requirement for the award of the diploma.

Higher level and standard level courses

The IB awards the same number of points for higher level (HL) and standard level (SL) courses, reflecting the IB's belief in the importance of achievement across a broad range of academic disciplines.

HL and SL courses differ in scope but are assessed against the same grade descriptors, with HL candidates expected to demonstrate the various elements of the grade descriptors across a greater body of knowledge, understanding and skills.

Receiving a bilingual diploma

A bilingual diploma is awarded to candidates who complete and receive a grade 3 or higher in two languages selected from the DP course studies in language and literature.

Students who gain a grade 3 or higher in studies in language and literature and a grade 3 or higher in an individuals and societies or science subject, completed in a different language, will also receive the bilingual diploma.

Further information on assessment

For information on other aspects of assessment in the DP, such as how the IB ensures reliability of results, see our detailed guide on the principles of assessment.

Learn more about assessment in a workshop for DP teachers.

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Diploma programme assessment | International Baccalaureate®

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The International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) uses both internally and externally assessed components to assess student performance. For most courses, written examinations at the end of the DP form the basis of the assessment. This is because these examinations have high levels of objectivity and reliability.

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The International Baccalaureate® (IB) assesses student work as direct evidence of achievement against the stated goals of the Diploma Programme (DP) courses.

DP assessment procedures measure the extent to which students have mastered advanced academic skills in fulfilling these goals, for example:

analysing and presenting information

evaluating and constructing arguments

solving problems creatively.

Basic skills are also assessed, including:

retaining knowledge

understanding key concepts

applying standard methods.

In addition to academic skills, DP assessment encourages an international outlook and intercultural skills, wherever appropriate.

Student results are determined by performance against set standards, not by each student's position in the overall rank order.

Using external and internal assessment

The IB uses both external and internal assessment in the DP.

External assessment

Examinations form the basis of the assessment for most courses. This is because of their high levels of objectivity and reliability.

They include:

essays

structured problems

short-response questions

data-response questions

text-response questions

case-study questions

multiple-choice questions - though these are rarely used.

Internal assessment

Teacher assessment is also used for most courses. This includes:

oral work in languages

fieldwork in geography

laboratory work in the sciences

investigations in mathematics

artistic performances.

Read further information on understanding DP assessment.

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Assessment & exams | Diploma | International Baccalaureate®

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The International Baccalaureate® (IB) assesses student work as direct evidence of achievement against the stated goals of the Diploma Programme (DP) courses. DP assessment procedures measure the extent to which students have mastered advanced academic skills in fulfilling these goals, for example: analysing and presenting information evaluating and constructing arguments solving problems creatively.

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Curriculum and distribution of subjects

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The International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) curriculum sets out the requirements for study of the DP.

The curriculum is made up of the DP core and six subject groups.

Made up of the three required components, the DP core aims to broaden students' educational experience and challenge them to apply their knowledge and skills.

The three core elements are:

The six subject groups are:

There are different courses within each subject group.

Choosing subjects in the Diploma Programme

Students choose courses from the following subject groups: studies in language and literature; language acquisition; individuals and societies; sciences; mathematics; and the arts.

Students may opt to study an additional sciences, individuals and societies, or languages course, instead of a course in the arts.

Students will take some subjects at higher level (HL) and some at standard level (SL). HL and SL courses differ in scope but are measured according to the same grade descriptors, with students expected to demonstrate a greater body of knowledge, understanding and skills at higher level.

Each student takes at least three (but not more than four) subjects at higher level, and the remaining at standard level.

Standard level subjects take up 150 teaching hours. Higher level comprises 240 teaching hours.

Hear from our DP community

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DP curriculum | International Baccalaureate®

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The International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) curriculum sets out the requirements for study of the DP. The curriculum is made up of the DP core and six subject groups. Made up of the three required components, the DP core aims to broaden students' educational experience and challenge them to apply their knowledge and skills.

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60 mins
25 mins for Q&A

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10th graders and their parents

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Students at International Baccalaureate® (IB) World Schools are given a unique education.

They will:

be encouraged to think independently and drive their own learning

take part in programmes of education that can lead them to some of the highest ranking universities around the world

become more culturally aware, through the development of a second language

be able to engage with people in an increasingly globalized, rapidly changing world.

You can find out how to become an IB World School, a requirement for teaching IB programmes, on this website.

IB students often perform better

IB World School students develop strong academic, social and emotional characteristics. They are also likely to perform well academically - often better than students on other programmes.

There is more information about the performance of IB students on the IB programme pages. For example, students on the IB Diploma Programme (DP) are likely to enroll at top universities, and students on the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and Middle Years Programme (MYP) outperform other students in a number of areas.

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Benefits of IB for students | International Baccalaureate®

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Students at International Baccalaureate® (IB) World Schools are given a unique education. They will: be encouraged to think independently and drive their own learning take part in programmes of education that can lead them to some of the highest ranking universities around the world become more culturally aware, through the development of a second language be able to engage with people in an increasingly globalized, rapidly changing world.

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starting at the time of the beginning of the academic year

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Parents & Students will be given information upon:
* What is the IB DP
*The mission statement of the school.
*The pathways that the IB DP offers.
*Requirements of the programme.

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International Baccalaureate® (IB) programmes aim to do more than other curricula by developing inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who are motivated to succeed.

We strive to develop students who will build a better world through intercultural understanding and respect.

IB programme frameworks can operate effectively with national curricula at all ages; more than 50% of IB World Schools are state-funded.

The IB's programmes are different from other curricula because they:

encourages students of all ages to think critically and challenge assumptions

develop independently of government and national systems, incorporating quality practice from research and our global community of schools

encourages students of all ages to consider both local and global contexts

develop multilingual students.

In order to teach IB programmes, schools must be authorized. Every school authorized to offer IB programmes is known as an IB World School.

A continuum of international education

We provide a continuum of education, consisting of four programmes that are united by the IB's philosophy and approaches to learning and teaching. The programmes encourage both personal and academic achievement, challenging students to excel in their studies and in their personal development.

Quality practice

IB programmes incorporate quality practice from national and international research and the IB global community. They encourage students to be internationally-minded, within a complex and hyper-connected world.

Students learn how to learn

Throughout all IB programmes, students develop approaches to learning skills and the attributes of the IB learner profile.

Students are able to take responsibility for their own learning and understand how knowledge itself is constructed; this is further to our unique theory of knowledge (TOK) course. They are encouraged to try different approaches to learning and to take responsibility for their own educational progress.

Our programmes help IB students:

ask challenging questions

think critically

develop research skills proven to help them in higher education.

IB programmes also encourage students to be active in their communities and to take their learning beyond academic study.

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How IB is different | International Baccalaureate®

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International Baccalaureate® (IB) programmes aim to do more than other curricula by developing inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who are motivated to succeed. We strive to develop students who will build a better world through intercultural understanding and respect.