Diploma Program

The Diploma Program is a challenging two-year program of international education for students aged 16 to 19.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program is a challenging two-year curriculum, primarily aimed at students aged 16 to 19. It leads to a qualification that is widely recognized by the world’s leading universities.

Students learn more than a collection of facts. The Diploma Program prepares students for university and encourages them to:
• ask challenging questions
• learn how to learn
• develop a strong sense of their own identity and culture
• develop the ability to communicate with and understand people from other countries and cultures.

The IB Diploma program was adopted by AISL in August, 2002 and provides a cohesive and comprehensive two-year program of concurrent study for highly-motivated students of differing educational backgrounds, abilities and interests and who have varying plans for higher education throughout the world. The IB Diploma is recognized by many universities and colleges throughout the world to be an excellent university preparatory course. It is not just a set of examinations but a challenging program, one that promotes learning and creativity, applies a range of assessment techniques emphasizing understanding and application of knowledge and provides a sound basis for lifelong learning.

IB Diploma Program
Diploma candidates are required to select one subject from each of six core subject groups. At least three and not more than four courses are taken at higher level, the others at standard level. By arranging work in this fashion, students are able to achieve depth of study in the context of a broad and coherent curriculum over the two-year period. Distribution requirements ensure that the science-oriented student is challenged to learn a second modern language and that the natural linguist becomes familiar with laboratory procedures. Flexibility in choosing higher level concentrations allows a student to pursue areas of personal interest and to meet special requirements for university entrance within a balanced overall program.

IB Certificate Program
Students who choose not to take the full IB Diploma can select one subject from each of the six subject groups according to their own strengths and interests. There is no requirement of a certain number of higher level and standard level courses. Students electing this option do not complete an Extended Essay and they do not take the Theory of Knowledge course. Full diploma students and certificate students are taught together in the same courses and sit the same IB examinations at the end of the course. Students should seek the advice of their teachers, parents, and IB Coordinator and carefully consider the decision whether to take the full IB Diploma or a program of IB Certificates.

For more information about the International Baccalaureate Programs, please visit the IBO web site: www.ibo.org

Some information about the International Baccalaureate on these pages has been taken from IBO publications.