The Careers-Related Programme 

Currently offered by several hundred IB Worlds Schools, the Career-related Programme (CP) enables students 16-19 years old to succeed in higher education, apprenticeships or employment by combining academic rigor with hands-on career experience. 

Throughout the CP, students develop transferable and lifelong skills in applied knowledge, critical thinking, communication, and cross-cultural engagement. 

The CP curriculum

CP students undertake a minimum of two IB Diploma Programme (DP) courses, a core consisting of four components and a career-related study.

For CP students, DP courses provide the theoretical underpinning and academic rigour of the programme; the career-related study further supports the programme’s academic strength and provides practical, real-world approaches to learning; and the CP core helps them to develop skills and competencies required for lifelong learning.

Assessment and Exams

Students take written examinations at the end of their IB Diploma Programme courses which are marked by external IB examiners.

The components of the CP core are assessed by the school.

Who is the CP for?

The CP was specifically developed for students who wish to engage in career-related learning while gaining transferable and lifelong skills in applied knowledge, critical thinking, communication, and cross-cultural engagement.

How the CP works

The CP is a comprehensive, three-part educational framework that combines:

1. Diploma Programme courses 

Students are required to take least two highly regarded and internationally recognised Diploma Programme courses.

2. CP core

• Personal and professional skills

• Service learning

• Reflective project

• Language development

These core components develop and apply students’ professional skills to real-life situations and enable them to learn a second language.

3. Career-related studies (CRS)

This component is identified by the school and authorised by the IB to be included in the CP programme. The IB itself does not assess the CRS nor does it award grades. To provide schools with a list of trusted providers to develop and enhance their CP programme, the IB has established partnerships with career-related studies strategic providers.

Through the CRS, students learn practical, real-world approaches that prepare them for higher education, an apprenticeship, or a position in a particular field of interest.

CP video

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