How International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme paves the path for overseas education

Transdisciplinary and holistic education is a must for upcoming generations to learn new-age skills and develop a futuristic outlook in a dynamic world. This is where the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) would come in handy — it’s a pre-university programme designed to prepare students for university life. The diploma is recognised by top foreign universities like Purdue University and the University of Southern California and includes more diverse subjects than any other curriculum.

Offered in thousands of schools around the globe, IBDP has earned a reputation for excellence from educators, parents and students. It provides students with a rigorous curriculum, encouraging the development of life skills that extend beyond life in the classroom. It also promotes intercultural understanding and critical thinking.

Recognised around the world

Considered as the gold standard in pre-university preparation, IBDP gives students an upper hand over the rest when applying for limited-seats courses in the most sought-after universities around the globe.

The diploma holds more relevance in the case of country-specific courses, which have limited global outreach. In addition, some universities also offer scholarships/credits specifically for IB diploma holders.

Prepares students for university

The IB diploma can be defined as a "university preparation programme" that prepares students to handle large assignments like writing a 4,000-word report along with academic citations. Other than this, two years of rigorous practice makes them experts in time management and self-study.

This diploma programme encourages students to move away from the habit of memorising facts as it puts more emphasis on developing an analytical mindset. The philosophical aspect of IBDP — the “Theory of Knowledge” — pushes students to think outside the box, exposing them to diverse concepts, opinions, and people.

The diploma holds more relevance in the case of country-specific courses, which have limited global outreach. In addition, some universities also offer scholarships/credits specifically for IB diploma holders.

- Rohit Sen Bajaj

Provides well-rounded education

IBDP makes students familiar with a wide range of subjects, including many unconventional offerings like Psychology, Philosophy, Films, Computer Science and Global Politics. Here students are required to take some subjects at a higher level (HL) and some at the standard level (SL), with the former comprising 240 teaching hours and the latter 150 teaching hours.

The academic programme also emphasises students' academic as well as non-academic achievements. It includes community involvement, leadership and impactful projects to help students understand their strengths and weaknesses.

Helps personal development

The primary focus of the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO), which designed the IB programmes, has been to ensure a world of peaceful coexistence and collaborative sustenance by producing socially conscious and sensible adults who would go on to make meaningful contributions towards society.

The Creativity-Activity-Service (CAS) component of this diploma brings into focus the need for emotional and social development of students, empowering them to be entrepreneurial innovators. CAS engages students in activities and projects that take the learning beyond a classroom's physical confines.

Advantages of IBDP:

A recent survey conducted by the IBO suggests that the acceptance rate of IB students into Ivy League universities is about 18 per cent higher than the acceptance rate of those from other curriculums. The gap is more evident and substantial for top-ranked universities outside of the Ivy League.

Author bio: Rohit Sen Bajaj is a passionate educator and director of Pathways School Gurgaon. He is also the IB Recognition Ambassador from India.