IB Diploma programme continues to grow worldwide

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma was founded in 1968. From small beginnings, there are now 3,352 schools offering the IB Diploma in 156 different countries, and the number of diploma programmes increased by 32 per cent between 2012 and 2017. But what is the IB Diploma, and what sets it apart from competitors such as the narrower international and standard A levels and the US’s Advance Placement tests?

An intensive two-year programme for 16- to 19-year-olds, the IB Diploma requires candidates to take six subjects, including at least three at higher level. These include a balance between science, arts, maths, languages and humanities subjects. Students must also complete three core requirements including theory of knowledge (TOK), creativity, activity and service (CAS) – including voluntary work – and a 4,000-word extended essay.

The aim is to create fully-rounded citizens prepared for the research and critical thinking required for university study; an idea that education providers are buying into.

The diploma’s sister programmes, including the primary and middle years programmes for younger students, and the career-related programme for older candidates, embrace this philosophy and all are growing.

The US is the leading IB country, and figures for all programmes are rising. A total of 947 largely state schools now offer the diploma there. The US and Canada account for 43 per cent of all schools worldwide that offer at least one of the IB programmes.

There has also been IB growth in the surging number of international schools. Figures from market analysts ISC Research show numbers of such schools have risen from 7,763 to 10,438 in the past five years, and all leading international curricula and exams are growing to mirror this.

But what do employers think of this broad-ranging qualification? In the UK at least, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) says it wants to see more of the skills the IB programmes promote in members’ young employees.John Cope, head of education and skills, said that IB programmes were specifically designed to boost knowledge, character and skills – three key areas valued by employers.

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