Many students are wondering and hoping to enter a better university once they complete their secondary or high school education. But they are not often accepted into the university of their choice unless they enter a programme such as the International Baccalaureate Programme (IB). This offers several educational programmes for primary and secondary school students. It is offered in many schools across the globe, from countries such as Australia, Singapore, India, and the United Kingdom. For many, the IB programme is synonymous for its two-year Diploma Programme (DP) for international students aged 16 to 19 years old.
For many students and their families, the IB programme provides curricula that reflect an international attitude and critical thinking mindset that is essential to many students in these rapidly-changing times. It helps students to move between schools across many countries, and many students in IB programmes often have a higher chance to enter the university of their choice. But how would you know if a student could qualify for it? And is it the best option for a student and his life circumstances?
The student’s family is highly mobile.
If a family moves around a lot across different countries, the children’s education could be disrupted and affect their mental health and growth. But the IB is internationally recognised, and any student could enter any school or university in any country that has an IB programme. Students will also have an instant connection with other students in a similar programme, which will lessen the stress of fitting in a new school setting.
The student wants to develop critical thinking skills and independence.
Students in the IB programme are required to develop their own projects and papers. They have the freedom to choose the topic and are required to do their own research and experiments but at their own pace. They still have regular coursework but are required to submit a 4,000-word essay that covers a topic or question they formulated, and are encouraged to question accepted facts and basic truths. So IB students explore critical thinking and process examination, which are vital in today’s ever-changing world.
The student must be used to heavy school workloads.
Many students in the IB programme are used to heavy loads of schoolwork. They need to make presentations, write papers and essays, do hours of community service and prepare for exams. The student must stay focused on the course; if not, there is the possibility of getting bad marks and leaving the programme. The student should live in a country where IB is highly valued.
Some countries do not give IB too much weight when it comes to college admissions, while there are countries that require equivalencies in their degrees and grading systems. So even if the IB is recognised internationally, the student should choose a school or country that gives it value to enter a university that is of the highest quality. Any student who wants to enter an IB programme has to consider these factors before they send their application. The programme is not for everyone, but for those who could do fulfil the academic requirements, it offers a better future and a better educational experience.
