International Baccalaureat Diploma Programme (IBDP) Overview

The International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) is an assessed programme for students aged 16 to 19. It is respected by leading universities across the globe.

The programme aims to develop students who have excellent breadth and depth of knowledge – students who flourish physically, intellectually, emotionally and ethically. Through the Diploma Programme, our school is able to develop students who:

• have excellent breadth and depth of knowledge
• flourish physically, intellectually, emotionally and ethically
• study at least two languages
• excel in traditional academic subjects
• explore the nature of knowledge through the programme’s unique theory of knowledge course.

IB DP students do not have to worry about university admission. Due to its rigorous assessment, the programme has gained recognition and respect from the world's leading universities. For more info check: http://www.ibo.org/recognition/

When it comes to the IB DP at our school, Druga Gimnazija Sarajevo was the first school in Bosnia and Herzegovina to introduce the IB DP in 2000. The programme is taught in English and the final exams take place in May examination session.

For further information about the IBDP at Druga gimnazija Sarajevo, please contact +387 (0)33 586 369.

Curriculum

The  DP curriculum is made up of six subject groups and the DP core, comprising theory of knowledge (TOK), Creativity, activity, service (CAS) and The extended essay.

Through the DP core, students reflect on the nature of knowledge, complete independent research and undertake a project that often involves community service.

An IB education is holistic in nature—it is concerned with the whole person (Figure 1.).  Along with cognitive development, IB programmes address students’ social, emotional and physical well-being. They value and offer opportunities for students to become active and caring members of local, national and global communities; they focus attention on the values and outcomes of internationally minded learning described in the IB learner profile. IB learners strive to become inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, openminded, caring, risk-takers, balanced and reflective. These attributes represent a broad range of human capacities and responsibilities that go beyond intellectual development and academic success. They imply a commitment to help all members of the school community learn to respect themselves, others and the world around them.

Figure 1. The IBDP model (www.ibo.org)

Students choose courses from the following subject groups: studies in language and literature; language acquisition; individuals and societies; sciences; mathematics; and the arts.

The list of IBDP subjects/levels our school is offering:

Students may opt to study an additional sciences, individuals and societies, or languages course, instead of a course in the arts, since Druga gimnazija Sarajevo does not offer subjects in Group 6.

Students will take some subjects at higher level (HL) and some at standard level (SL).  HL and SL courses differ in scope but are measured according to the same grade descriptors, with students expected to demonstrate a greater body of knowledge, understanding and skills at higher level.

Each student takes at least three (but not more than four) subjects at higher level, and the remaining at standard level.

Standard level subjects take up 150 teaching hours. Higher level comprises 240 teaching hours.

For further information about the offered subjects please open the 'DP subject briefs' panel in the resource and document library on http://ibo.org/university-admission/ib-recognition-resources-and-document-library/#briefs .

Assessment

The International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) uses both internally and externally assessed components to assess student performance. 

For most courses, written examinations at the end of the DP form the basis of the assessment. This is because these examinations have high levels of objectivity and reliability.

Externally assessed coursework, completed by students over an extended period under authenticated teacher supervision, forms part of the assessment for several programme areas, including the theory of knowledge (TOK) essay and the extended essay (EE).

In most subjects, students also complete in-school assessment tasks. These are either externally assessed or marked by teachers and then moderated by the IB.

In the DP, students receive grades ranging from 7 to 1, with 7 being highest. Students receive a grade for each DP course attempted.

A student’s final Diploma result score is made up of the combined scores for each subject. The diploma is awarded to students who gain at least 24 points, subject to certain minimum levels of performance including successful completion of the three essential elements of the DP core.