International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme: The Step After Schooling

1st July 2014

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The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is gaining much traction as an alternative to the conventional plus-2. Arsh Gupta explores the programme, its benefits, and its limitations

The IBDP

Also known as the IBDP course, the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is a two-year educational programme primarily aimed at students aged 16–19. Equivalent to classes 11 and 12 in India, it is an internationally accepted qualification for entry into higher education at college and university level.

IBDP vs the rest

The IBDP requires students to study six subjects of their choice across all disciplines. This kind of flexibility accommodates student interests and abilities.
“IB does not prescribe any books,” says Isha Mathur, an IB graduate from Mumbai. All students study each subject through an international perspective and are required to do detailed independent research, as well as plenty of field work.
Unlike other boards in India, the IBDP focuses on a more creative and practical approach towards learning and rejects the traditional rote system. “IB students have a very high level of thought, sometimes they even surpass me,” says a mathematics professor who teaches IB, ICSE, CBSE and other state board students in Mumbai.
On the downside, IB students are allowed to use calculators in their exams and in school, while Indian universities do not permit calculators or any electronic device in their entrance exams. “It is very difficult for IB students to give competitive exams and the entrance exams to the top universities in India,” says the maths professor.
Also, IB schools are expensive compared to other Indian board schools.

Bonus features in the coursework

Three components of the IBDP study are unique to the programme.

The extended essay asks students to engage in independent research through an in-depth study of a question relating to one of their subjects, for instance the World Studies extended essay option would allow a student to focus on a topic of global significance which they must examine through the purview of at least two DP subjects.
Whatever we know, how do we know?’ Theory of knowledge (TOK), a course on critical thinking, requires students to inquire into the nature of knowing. “This is the most interesting concept of IB. It’s as complicated as it sounds! The IB tests the most basic of concepts in TOK,” says Mathur. She gives an example – “If there is a chair, why is it there?”
Creativity, action, service (CAS) involves students in a range of activities alongside their studies. They take up tasks in the arts and foster creative thinking, they are required to take part in physical activity, and they are expected to contribute to society through community service.

Getting into the programme

Schools that offer the IBDP usually conduct entrance tests for prospective students. However, those who have studied the IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education, administered by the University of Cambridge) system in class 10 may be offered a place directly without a test.

The study experience

“IB prepares you for college. I have become more original after doing the diploma programme; it forces you to think on your own,” says Mathur. Apart from taking care of their core six subjects, students must also ensure proper attendance and juggle the three extra components (extended essay, TOK, and CAS). “The IB is not difficult, it is a bit different and even sometimes quite rigorous” she adds.

“IB offers a lot of breadth and depth,” says an IBDP co-ordinator at a leading Mumbai IB school. “IB students adapt to foreign universities and their way of teaching very easily,” says the mathematics professor.

Next steps: in India

All universities in India consider the IB Diploma programme equivalent to a class 12 qualification from an Indian board. However, the academic calendar of the IB system makes life difficult during admission time.

Most professional institutes in India conduct entrance exams from April to June and confirm places by July-August. The IB, unfortunately, has its final examinations when the entrance exams of universities and colleges are held, which means DP students are compelled to study for their school as well as competitive exams. Certain institutes, like Symbiosis University in Pune for its liberal arts courses, do accept IB graduates without an entrance test but these are only a handful.

Further, DP students can apply for an equivalence certificate only after their exam results are declared, which is when colleges confirm their new students. Equivalence certificates must be issued by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). Some Indian colleges close their applications before the IB results are declared. IB does provide predicted scores to the students, but not all colleges in India accept these scores. Mumbai University is one of the few that does.

Next steps: going abroad

The IB Diploma is accepted in 75 countries at over 2000 universities, and the IB has a search directory in its website, although they advise students to check directly with each university for the recognition policy. The IB also maintains a list of universities offering scholarships to IBDP graduates under conditions specified by each institution. However, the IB body itself does not provide any special scholarships for students who are going to foreign universities.

In some scholarship programmes, IB students are given preference but having an IB Diploma does not entitle anyone to any special scholarships. Neither are IB students exempt from taking the SAT. “If a student wants to study abroad, the best option is to go for the IBDP. However, if he or she wants to continue in India, the Indian boards are the most viable option” says the maths professor.