THE INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE

DIPLOMA AT PRIOR PURSGLOVE COLLEGE

The International Baccalaureate Diploma is a level three qualification renowned throughout the world and is taught in 125 countries.  It is forty years old and was first introduced in the UK in 1971.  It is an alternative to A level with exams at the end of the course PPC is fortunate to be chosen as the nominated college in the area to apply to deliver the qualification.

If you came to study at PPC you would study six subjects. You would study three subjects at higher level and three subjects at standard level.

You would usually choose one subject from each group.

Group 1 – English Language and Literature

Group 2 – Foreign languages French, Spanish with an option for the study of a language of which you have no prior knowledge, Italian

Group 3 – Individuals and Societies e.g. History, Psychology

Group 4 – Sciences e.g. Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Environmental Systems and Societies.

Group 5 – Maths or Mathematical Studies

Group 6 - Visual Arts e.g. Film or Theatre

The only group which is optional is Group 6.  For example if you wanted to study medicine and needed to take Biology and Chemistry from Group 4 or if you wanted to study two languages from Group 2, you would not do a Visual Art. In order to achieve the full qualification you would also need to complete an extended essay; study the Theory of Knowledge and complete a programme where you are creative, active and contribute to the wider community through a service. These are at the core of the IB Diploma and reflect the ethos of the qualification.  This can be seen clearly in the IB Hexagon.

For further information about the IB and its programmes, visit http://www.ibo.org