General Points

The IB Diploma

General Points

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) is a high quality, internationally recognised qualification, respected by schools and universities throughout the world. It is both academically and personally challenging and is designed to encourage international mindedness and responsible citizenship through developing the traits of the IB Learner Profile. An IB education provides students with the social and intellectual capabilities required for the global and local challenges that lie ahead in the adult world.

The Diploma has three core requirements (CAS, Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge) which broaden the educational experience and support the six academic disciplines. Students are required to complete three subjects in detail at Higher Level (HL) and three at Standard Level (SL). The distinctions between HL and SL courses vary from subject to subject, some have common examination papers and as such, SL can be as intellectually demanding as HL so please study the courses carefully.

All IB subjects are assessed through internal assessments (a piece of coursework), undertaken throughout the two-year programme and externally examined at the end of the two-year period. All Internal Assessments are marked internally and moderated externally. A focus on oral and presentational skills is a key feature of IB assessment across all of the subjects.

Languages: As an international curriculum and qualification, the IB Diploma offers a number of modern languages at a variety of levels. As all IB students will study at least two languages, it is important to understand the level of languages studied. All students must choose a Group 1 and a Group 2 language choice although for Mother Tongue students different pathways exist. See specific details on the Group 1 and 2 pages.

Mathematics: As Mathematics is compulsory for all Diploma students, there is a range of courses offered. See specific details on the Group 5 Mathematics page and also the portal for Mathematics choices affecting University courses.

Experimental Sciences: IB students carry out practical work throughout the course leading to an internally assessed (but externally moderated) Scientific Exploration in Y13. The practical work is thus extensive and integral to the course. The Group 4 project contributes 10 hours towards the statutory lab hours total of 40 hours (SL) or 60 hours (HL). During the Group 4 Project, students work in the interdisciplinary teams (Biology/Chemistry/Physics/ Environmental Systems (ESS)) to answer Research Questions under a common theme. Please note that the statutory lab requirement for ESS SL is 30 hours.

The strength of the Diploma is in its breadth, students have to choose one subject per group. It is hard to quantify the value of scientists being required to study literature, or of artists being required to study Mathematics, but we see it in our school and we believe that it adds much to the educational experience of those in the Sixth Form.

Please note the following:

It is our professional opinion that the four levels of language options at IB offer a better differentiated structure for deeper language learning: The IB Diploma programme is very inclusive in nature, and it is suitable for students of varying ability. Post 16 A-Level MFL courses will also be available, and their viability will rest with the Head of Senior School as it does with all academic options. If you have any further questions, please contact the Head of Faculty, Àlex Bosch at alex.bosch@tts.edu.sg.

For any bilingual students wishing to continue with the mother tongue programme, the IB offers the prestigious bilingual diploma for students opting for School Supported Self-Study. The school, following diagnostic testing, will not allow bilingual students to select a Language B option if it is not appropriate. Please speak to Andrew Coe at andrew.coe@tts.edu.sg as our mother tongue coordinator.

What if I want to do the IB but I don’t have a POP in Maths or a Science subject?

You can still follow the IB pathway if you have all the other POPs necessary for IB study. As your subject in Group 5 (Mathematics), you can study either one of the Mathematics courses at Standard Level without a POP. Similarly, for your Group 4 Experimental Sciences option, you can choose Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS), which is also a Standard Level course, without a POP.