During their junior and senior years, IB Diploma candidates are required to take at least one course in all six areas of study:  English, world language, social science, science, math, and the fine arts (or an additional IB science or social science course). Of these six courses,  three will be Higher Level (HL) courses that span two years and offer a more in-depth study. The remaining three courses will be one-year, Standard Level (SL) courses. Many universities offer college credit for IB coursework. 

The IB Diploma Programme fosters the development of personal, social, and emotional skills as well as intellectual growth. In order to nurture students as whole individuals,  the program consists of three core components: