Extended Essay

The extended essay provides students with the opportunity to engage in original and independent research on a topic of their own choice under the guidance of a supervisor (a teacher in the school) and is one of the most exciting tasks of the Diploma.

The essay is an in-depth study of a focused topic chosen either through a subject-focused pathway (focusing on one of the student’s DP subjects) or an interdisciplinary pathway (integrating two DP subjects). It is intended to promote high-level research and writing skills, intellectual discovery, and creativity. The research leads to a formal piece of academic writing of up to 4,000 words, accompanied by a reflective statement of up to 500 words on the Reflection and Progress Form (RPF). Candidates should choose an interesting and challenging topic that is sufficiently narrow in scope to allow for an in-depth examination of the problem, offering the opportunity to analyse and evaluate data or literature.

In certain cases, it is recommended that students link their extended essay topic to their future career choice or university course. The extended essay is highly valued by university educators and employers, and often serves as an excellent stimulus for academic or admissions discussions.

It is mandatory that all students undertake three formal reflection sessions with their supervisor, culminating in a concluding interview, or viva voce, after completing the essay. These sessions and the 500-word reflective statement are formally assessed under Criterion E.

The extended essay is compulsory for all students taking the Diploma Programme

A student must achieve a D grade or higher to be awarded the Diploma.

It is externally assessed and, in combination with Theory of Knowledge (TOK), contributes up to 3 points to the total score for the IB Diploma

It is a piece of independent research on a topic chosen by the student in consultation with a designated supervisor in the school.

It is presented as a formal piece of sustained academic writing containing no more than 4,000 words accompanied by a reflection form of no more than 500 words.

It is the result of approximately 40 hours of work by the student.

Students are supported by a supervision process recommended to be 3–5 hours, which includes three mandatory reflection sessions.

The third and final mandatory reflection session is the viva voce, which is a concluding interview with the supervising teacher.

As with other elements of the Core, reflection in the EE is highly important and explicitly assessed under Criterion E (4 marks) out of a total of 30 marks.

Reflection focuses on the student’s progress during planning, research, and writing. It helps students consider the effectiveness of their choices, re-examine ideas, and make decisions. The emphasis is on evaluative growth and the transfer of learning — specifically reflecting on conceptual understandings, decision-making, engagement with data, research methods, time management, and overcoming challenges.

Students are encouraged to informally reflect throughout their journey using a Researcher's Reflection Space (RRS) on ManageBac. However, they are formally required to participate in three mandatory reflection sessions with their supervisor. After each reflection session students are expected to record specific deatils on ManageBac. This culminates in a reflective statement of up to 500 words submitted on the Reflection and Progress Form (RPF).

Yr12  

Term 2 January:  Introduction to research and referencing.

Term 2 first half: Guide to writing proposal, proposals submitted

Term 2 second half: Supervisor assigned, first meeting and reflection completed. 

Term 3: Interim Writing Submission of 1500 words

Term 3: second half - second meeting and reflection completed, summer plan created.

The full draft is completed over the summer period.

Yr 13

Term 1:: complete first draft of the essay is submitted.

Term 1 October: submission of final version of extended essay

End of term 1:  Viva Voce and Reflections to be completed.