International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

Diploma Programme Model

ISE has delivered an effective International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme for more than 15 years. The DP program at ISE is non-selective in that we encourage all students to work towards the Diploma.  We know that our strong and supportive program guides students to successful completion of the Diploma.

The Programme is presented as six subject groups enclosing a central core (figure 1 ). It encourages the concurrent study of a broad range of academic areas.  Students choose to study courses from modern languages, social sciences, experimental sciences, a mathematics course, and a creative arts course. It is this comprehensive range of subjects that makes the Diploma Programme a demanding course of study designed to prepare students effectively for university entrance.  In each academic area students have flexibility in choosing subjects that particularly interest them and that they may wish to study further at university.

Choosing the right combination

Students entering grade 11 will make 6 subject choices.  General guidelines for the choices are:

  1. Choose one course from each of the following groups (Group 1, Group 3, Group 4 and Group 5).
  2. Choose a second language course from either Group 1 or Group 2.
  3. choose a sixth course from one of the following options:
    1. a third language course
    2. a second course from either Group 3 or Group 4
    3. a course from The Arts, group 6.
  4. Normally, three subjects (and not more than four) are taken at higher level (HL), and the others are taken at standard level (SL). The IB recommends 240 teaching hours for HL subjects and 150 hours for SL. Subjects at HL are studied in greater depth and breadth than at SL.
IBDP @ ISE Summary Table 2015 - 2023

IBDP @ ISE Class 2024 & 2025