General Qualification Pathway - International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP)
After taking GCSEs and other qualifications at school, students in Sunderland can continue on a General Qualification Pathway by taking A Levels or the International Baccalaureate (IB).
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) is an internationally recognised alternative pathway to University. Instead of studying the traditional three/four A Levels, the student completes a programme of study choosing six subjects. The IBDP unifies the curriculum by all the students studying a common Core; the Core is designed to bring everything together, so that the student appreciates links and commonalities between what might have been seen as disparate areas of the curriculum.
The Curriculum
Most subjects are offered at both Standard Level (SL) and Higher Level (HL). Most students will choose three subjects at HL and three at SL.
The Core
- Theory of Knowledge (TOK) - here the student looks at different ways of knowing
- Extended Essay - the student must undertake a research project in an area of their choice
- Creativity, Action and Service (CAS) - during the two years of the IBDP the student must complete a programme of creativity, action and service in the community
Subjects are assessed by examination and in most cases coursework assessments. The CAS programme is not formally assessed – you have to complete the programme by keeping a journal of your activities. There is a maximum of seven points for each of the six subjects (regardless of what level you take). The Extended Essay and TOK are worth three points altogether. So the maximum a student can get is 45 points, the pass mark is 24 points and a score of 35 points is roughly equivalent to four grade A passes at A Level.
The IBDP is very broad and balanced and because of this no options are closed off at university level. Universities like the broad nature of the IBDP course. Cambridge University, for instance, says this:
“The International Baccalaureate is highly regarded by Admissions Tutors at Cambridge University for entry to all subjects. Candidates should expect to reach an overall score in the range of 36–40 to stand a realistic chance of acceptance, normally with 6s and 7s in Higher Level subjects. Applicants for some subjects, particularly Sciences may have 7s specified in High Level subjects where appropriate”.
Quoted from the International Baccalaureate website.