The IB Diploma requires young people to study six subject groups, each of which include different courses:
- Studies in language and literature
- Language acquisition
- Individuals and societies
- Sciences
- Mathematics
- The arts
‘The arts’ is not a compulsory subject group and students can choose to study additional courses in the sciences, individuals and societies or languages instead.
IB students typically take half of their subjects at the higher level, and half at the standard level. This allows them to pursue their academic interests at a more specialist level, which provides for an excellent foundation for undergraduate study.
The IB Diploma Programme includes three compulsory features: theory of knowledge, an extended essay and creativity, action, service. Students develop their skills of critical thinking in theory of knowledge. They undertake a 4000-word long research project in a chosen subject for their extended essay. They also support their school and community through creativity, action and service via activities including charity-work, participation in team sports and public speaking.