The final mural that is hanging outside the D-bldg. Painted by the BSU students (and Erika).

Established in 1968, the International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) was the first programme offered by the IB and is taught to students aged 16-19.

As of 3 September 2019, there are 3,421 schools offering the DP, in 157 different countries worldwide.

Learn more about the DP curriculum here.

Origin of the DP

The DP was established to provide students with a balanced education, facilitate geographic and cultural mobility and to promote international understanding.

It was created by teachers at the International School of Geneva, with assistance from several other international schools.

Since then, innovative and committed teachers and examiners from around the world have played a significant role in the development of the programme.

The International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) centres on the DP core. Three components make up the core, which are studied alongside individual subjects and throughout a student’s time in the DP.

These components provide a framework for the study of individual subjects. The components of the DP core are outlined in the DP curriculum.

How teaching and learning is organized in the DP

The DP organizes teaching and learning through six subject groups, underpinned by the DP core.

Students choose a course from within each subject group. Read about the six subject groups.

For most courses, students take written examinations at the end of the DP. In many programme areas, students complete externally assessed coursework. Components of the DP core require students to produce coursework, for example.

Read more about assessment in the DP.