DOVER | Academic Subject Choices - IB Diploma Overview

Grade 11/12 - IB Diploma Overview

Home > Grade 11/12 Academic Learning Programme & IB Diploma Programme > IB Diploma Overview

IB Diploma programme

The Academic Learning Programme at UWCSEA is one of the five elements of the UWCSEA Learning Programme. At UWCSEA, the majority of our students will choose to follow the full International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). This provides an excellent and internationally recognised pathway to higher education across the globe at all levels, including world-renowned universities. This is the most common pathway for our students.

A few students each year follow an IB Courses of study. These students typically follow a slightly reduced programme of IB Diploma subjects. This allows access to higher education at all levels, although there are some restrictions. This option can be embarked upon after consultation with the Head of Grade and the IB Diploma Coordinator.

Regardless of pathway chosen, students who meet the requirements will graduate with a UWCSEA High School Diploma which recognises the rich holistic experiences students will have across this High School years.

Selecting an IBDP package

An academically and personally challenging two-year pre-university course, the IBDP is designed to provide students of different linguistic, cultural and educational backgrounds with the intellectual, social and critical perspectives necessary for the adult world that lies ahead. Respected by schools and universities throughout the world, it is a high-quality educational programme designed and monitored by educationalists with the aim of encouraging international awareness. One of its greatest strengths is its independence from politically motivated interference by any national government.

Higher Level vs Standard Level

The IBDP involves choosing three subjects to study in detail at a higher level (HL) and three subjects at a standard level (SL). Higher level is not always more difficult than Standard Level but instead covers a broader range of skills and understandings.

In Higher Level students have for 3 lessons per week, studying 240 hours over two years
In Standard Level students have 2 lessons per week, equating to 150 hours over two years
Higher Level subject usually have one additional examined component or exam paper compared to Standard Level.
With the exception of a small number of language students, no one is permitted to take four HL subjects.

Students must select six subjects by choosing at least one subject from Group 1-5. Group 6 is optional.

Subjects Offered

A detailed outline of all of our subject offerings is linked here.

Systems Transformation: Leadership for Change course:

This is an innovative 300-hour course co-created by students, teachers and curriculum leaders. It is a double SL subject that takes the place of two SL subjects as part of your IB Diploma and provides you with more flexibility in your other subject choices. It is designed for Grade 11 and 12 students who are ready to commit to brave and meaningful action and equips them with the skills and mindsets needed to take initiative, build community, and lead change. You can read more about this course on the following page of our website.

Additional subject Selection notes

When planning an IBDP course, students should bear the following in mind:

the same subject cannot be taken at both HL and SL
the same language cannot be taken in both Group 1 and Group 2
Bilingual students may take two Language A courses
Students can complete two Sciences from Group 4 or two Humanities subjects from Group 3, but they will not be able to take a Group 6 Arts subject.
Students can take two Arts subjects, if they take Environmental Systems and Societies which satisfies the requirements of Group 3 and 4.
The IB, at its discretion, occasionally gives special permission for three sciences to be taken if the student concerned has no choice but to do this for university entrance. Documentary evidence of such a requirement must be given to the IBDP Coordinator who will forward it to the IB Office and request permission. The IBO will not allow three sciences to be taken without this written evidence.
We prioritise giving students their subject choices wherever possible, even if numbers are low; on occasion this means that we have some classes that include HL/SL students and some that include Grade 11 and Grade 12 students.
In Grade 10, teachers provide subject guidance to students to help guide students in their subject selections in the IBDP.

Further requirements – IB core elements

Three further requirements contribute to the unique nature of the IBDP, with compulsory participation in:

Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS)

Extended Essay (EE) which demands independent research under appropriate guidance

Theory of Knowledge (ToK) which explores the relationship between the disciplines and ensures that students engage in critical reflection about knowledge and experience acquired both within and beyond the classroom

IB Assessment

All IBDP courses have work externally assessed by examination and internally assessed work that is externally moderated. The proportion of the final grade determined by internally assessed coursework and final examination varies amongst subjects.

External examinations

Students are prepared for external examinations within each subject and sit Internal Examinations at the start of Term 2 in Grade 12. Internal examinations take place over a two-week period, during which time students are on study leave.

Final IB examinations begin in May and continue for a period of three weeks. A timetable of examinations is published to parents prior to the examination period. Students will begin study leave for their final examinations approximately one week prior to the first exam.

All students taking IB Diploma courses must sit the external examinations at the end of Grade 12. There is an extra cost which will be billed to parents for IB examinations.

IB Diploma score

The IB Diploma has a maximum total score of 45 points:

three HL subjects, each with 7 points maximum
three SL subjects, each with 7 points maximum
IB Core (Theory of Knowledge and Extended Essay), three bonus points maximum

Page updated

Report abuse