The aims of the Business Management course at SL and HL are to enable students to:

a. develop as confident, creative and compassionate business leaders, entrepreneurs, social

entrepreneurs and as change agents

b. foster an informed understanding of ethical and sustainable business practices

c. explore the connections between individuals, businesses and society

d. engage with decision-making as a process and a skill.

The Business Management course is designed to meet the current and future needs of students who want to develop their knowledge of business content, concepts and tools to assist with business decision-

making. Future employees, business leaders, entrepreneurs or social entrepreneurs need to be confident, creative and compassionate as change agents for business in an increasingly interconnected global marketplace. The business management course is designed to encourage the development of these attributes.

Through the exploration of four interdisciplinary concepts—creativity, change, ethics and sustainability—this course empowers students to explore these concepts from a business perspective. Business Management content focuses on a wide range of business theories, tools and topics.

The Business Management course also encourages the application of local, national and global contexts to content and concepts; the internal assessment (IA) for both SL and HL is an individual business research

project that allows greater analysis and evaluation of content, concepts and context. Students can also develop a deeper understanding of an organization by studying its processes through the lenses of creativity, change, ethics and sustainability.

The syllabus for both SL and HL consists of five compulsory units and internally assessed coursework.

Units:           

1. Introduction to Business Management

 2. Human resource management

 3. Finance and accounts

 4. Marketing

 5. Operations management

For more information:

Speak to Mr. Armstrong

External Assessment :

Standard Level: Total 3 hours, 70%

Paper 1: 1 hour 30 minutes 35% Based on research on specific concepts as directed by the IB (30 marks)

Paper 2: 1 hour 30 minutes 35% Based on an unseen stimulus with a quantitative focus (40 marks)

Higher Level: Total 4 hours 30 minutes, 80%

Paper 1: 1 hour 30 minutes, 25%, Based on research on specific concepts as directed by the IB (30 marks)

Paper 2: 1 hour 45 minutes, 30%, Based on an unseen stimulus with a quantitative focus (50 marks)

Paper 3: 1 hour 15 minutes, 25%, Based on an unseen stimulus about a social enterprise (20 marks)

Internal Assessment 

Business Research Project: 

Standard Level 30%

Higher Level 20%

Students produce a research project about a real business issue or problem facing a particular organization using a conceptual lens. Maximum 1800 words. (25 marks) 

Geography is a dynamic subject that is firmly grounded in the real world and therefore focuses on the interactions between individuals, societies and the physical environment in both time and space. It seeks to identify trends and patterns in these interactions and investigates the way people adapt and respond to change. The diploma programme Geography course integrates both physical and human Geography. 

Students can choose to study Geography at two levels: Higher level (HL) or Standard level (SL).  The course is based around a core theme and geographical skills. HL students study 3 optional themes and SL students study 2 optional themes based on the human, physical and economic global environment. The course offers a wide range of subject matter and fosters a sound understanding of dynamic global systems.

The Course will prepare the student for a broad range of career paths and/or higher education choices. Geography links well with Biology, Information Technology in a Global Society and Chemistry.

Students choosing this course need a basic grounding in Geography, preferably a B grade at IGCSE or equivalent, and should have sound English and Mathematical skills.

Part 1 – Geographic themes (2 for HL and 3 for SL)

• Freshwater – drainage basins

• Oceans and coastal margins

• Extreme environments

• Geophysical hazards

• Leisure, tourism and sport

• Food and health

• Urban environments 

Part 2 – SL and HL core: Geographic perspectives – global change

• Population distribution – changing population

• Global climate – vulnerability and resilience

• Global resource consumption and security

Part 2 HL core extension: HL only: Geographic perspectives – global interactions

• Power, places and networks

• Human development and diversity

• Global risks and resilience 

External Assessment:

Standard Level: 2 hours 45 minutes total, 75%

Paper 1:  1 hour 30 minutes, 35%, 45 minutes per option question. (40 marks)

Paper 2: 1 hour 15 minutes, 40% (50 marks)

Higher Level: 4 hours 30 minutes total, 80%

Paper 1: 2 hours 15 minutes,  35%, 45 minutes per option question (60 marks)

Paper 2: 2 hour 15 minutes, 25% (50 marks)

Paper 3: 1 hour, 20% (28 marks)

Internal assessment: Fieldwork 

Standard Level: 25%

Higher Level: 20%

Fieldwork, leading to one written report based on a fieldwork question, information collection and analysis with evaluation. Fieldwork question to be based on any suitable topic from the syllabus. (25 marks)

For more information:

Speak to Ms Kilpatrick 

Students can choose to study History at two levels: Higher Level (HL) or Standard Level (SL). The course is concerned with individuals and societies in the widest context: political, social, religious, technological and cultural.

The course will prepare the student for a broad range of career paths and/or higher education choices. History links well with English A Language & Literature, Art and Languages.

Students choosing this course need a basic grounding in History, preferably a C grade or equivalent at IGCSE and they should also have sound English skills.

Part 1:  The move to Global War 

All students study the content for a prescribed topic.

Case study 1: Japanese expansion in East Asia (1931-1941)

Case study 2: German and Italian expansion (1933-1940)

Part 2: World History Topics:

All students study two World History topics from a choice of 12 prescribed by IB. At present, these topics are:

World History topic 10: Authoritarian states (20th century)

World History topic 12: Causes and effects of 20th century wars

Part 3: HL Option History of Asia and Oceania

HL students study an additional Option. At present, the option studied at GIS is History of Asia and Oceania.

Challenges to traditional East Asian Societies (1700-1868)

China and Korea (1910-1950)

The People's Republic of China (1949-2005)

4.  Historical Investigation (Internal Assessment):

All candidates study the options for Paper 1 and 2. These topics have been chosen to give an overview of some of the main global issues of the 20th century and before. In Paper 3, HL candidates also study the same time period with a more detailed focus on the countries of Asia.

External Assessment

Standard Level: 2 hours 30 minutes total 75%

Paper 1: 1 hour, 30%. Choose one subject from a choice and answer 4 questions (24 marks)

Paper 2: 1 hour 30 minutes, 45%, Answer two essay questions on two different topics (30 marks)

Higher Level: 5 hours total, 80%

Paper 1: 1 hour, 20%. Choose one subject from a choice and answer 4 questions (24 marks)

Paper 2: 1 hour 30 minutes, 25%, Answer two essay questions on two different topics (30 marks)

Paper 3: 2 hours 30 minutes, 35%. Answer three essay questions on the chosen option. (45 marks)

HL and SL are assessed externally at the end of the course by written examinations.

Internal Assessment:

Standard Level: 25%

Higher Level 20%

Students are required to complete a historical investigation into a topic of their choice. (25 marks) 

For more information:

Speak to Ms Bater

At the core of the DP psychology course is an introduction to three different approaches to understanding behaviour: the biological, cognitive and sociocultural approaches. Students study and critically evaluate the knowledge, concepts, theories and research that have developed the understanding in these fields. The interaction of these approaches to studying psychology forms the basis of a holistic and integrated approach to understanding mental processes and behaviour as a complex, dynamic phenomenon, allowing students to appreciate the diversity as well as the commonality between their own behaviour and that of others. The contribution and the interaction of the three approaches is understood through the four options in the course, focusing on areas of applied psychology: abnormal psychology, developmental psychology, health psychology, and the psychology of relationships.  DP psychology promotes an understanding of the various approaches to research and how they are used to critically reflect on the evidence as well as assist in the design, implementation, analysis and evaluation of the students’ own investigations. Surrounding the approaches and the options are the overarching themes of research and ethics. A consideration of both is paramount to the nature of the subject. 

Core: 

• Biological approach to understanding behaviour 

• Cognitive approach to understanding behaviour 

• Sociocultural approach to understanding behaviour 

• Approaches to researching behaviour 

Options:

• Abnormal psychology 

• Developmental psychology 

• Health psychology 

• Psychology of human relationships 

Internal assessment 

• Experimental study 

External Assessment:

Standard Level: 3 hours total, 75%

Paper 1: 2 hours, 50% Three short answer questions on the core. One essay from a choice of three on the biological, cognitive and sociocultural approaches. (49 marks)

Paper 2: 1 hour, 25% one question from a choice of three on one option.(22 marks)

Higher Level:5 hours, 80%

Paper 1: 2 hours, 40% Three short answer questions on the core. One essay from a choice of three on the biological, cognitive and sociocultural approaches. Plus additional section examining the HL Core content (49 marks)

Paper 2:  2 hours, 20% Two questions, one from each option (44 marks)

Paper 3:  1 hour, 20 % Three short answer questions on approaches to research. (24 marks)

Internal Assessment:

Standard Level: 25%

Higher Level: 20%

Experimental study 

• A report on an experimental study undertaken by the student. 

For more information:

Speak to Mr Falle or Mr Davies

The course requires students to develop a diverse set of skills, knowledge and understanding from different disciplines. 

Students develop a scientific approach through explorations of environmental systems. They also acquire understandings and methods from individuals and societies subjects whilst studying sustainability issues within social, cultural, economic, political, and ethical contexts. 

The interdisciplinary nature of the course means students produce a synthesis of understanding from the various topics studied. It also emphasizes the ability to perform research and investigations and to participate in philosophical, ethical, and pragmatic discussions of the issues involved from the local through to the global level. 

• Topic 1 

• Foundation 

• 1.1 Perspectives 

• 1.2 Systems

•  1.3 Sustainability 

• Topic 2 Ecology 

• Topic 3 Biodiversity and conservation Topic 4 Water 

• Topic 5 Land 

• Topic 6 Atmosphere and climate change 

• Topic 7 Natural resources

•  Topic 8 Human populations and urban systems

• Higher level (HL) lens HL.

• a Environmental law HL.

• b Environmental and ecological economics HL.

• c Environmental ethics

External Assessment:

Standard Level: 3 hours total, 75%

Paper 1: Students will be provided with data in a variety of forms relating to a specific, previously unseen case study. Questions will be based on the analysis and evaluation of the data in the case study. All questions are compulsory.          (1 hour, 25%)

Paper 2:Section A is made up of short-answer and data-based questions. Section B requires students to answer structured essay questions. There is a limited amount of choice. (2 hours, 50%)

Higher Level:5 hours, 80%

Paper 1: Students will be provided with data in a variety of forms relating to a specific, previously unseen case study. Questions will be based on the analysis and evaluation of the data in the case study. All questions are compulsory.          (2 hour, 30%)

Paper 2:  Section A is made up of short-answer and data-based questions. Section B requires students to answer structured essay questions. There is a limited amount of choice. (2.5 hours, 50%)

Internal Assessment:

Standard Level: 25%

Higher Level: 20%

• The individual investigation is an open-ended task in which the student gathers and analyses data to answer their own formulated research question. The outcome of the Individual investigation will be assessed through the form of a written report. The maximum overall word count for the report is 3,000 words.

For more information:

Speak to Ms Dullaghan or Mr Tipping