International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP)

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP)

ACG International School Vietnam is proud to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) in Years 12 and 13 (ages 16 to 19). The IBDP is a two-year pre-university academic course that is widely recognized and highly regarded by respected colleges and universities all over the world. The Programme enables students to fulfil the requirements for university entrance. Internationally mobile students are able to transfer into the IB Diploma Programme from other IB World schools, as well as from other school systems.

Diploma Requirements

To work towards the IB Diploma Programme, six major areas of study and CORE requirements should be completed successfully. Students must choose one subject from each of Groups 1 to 5, thus ensuring breadth of experience in languages, social studies, the experimental sciences and mathematics. The sixth subject may be an arts subject chosen from Group 6, or the student may choose another subject from Groups 2 to 5. In addition, students are required to study the Core subjects, comprising of Theory of Knowledge (a course that unifies and inter-relates the other areas of study); an Extended Essay (a substantial piece of independent research of up to 4,000 words) and participation in the CAS (Creativity, Action, Service) Programme. 

ACG International School Vietnam  offers the following IBDP subjects in the 2012-2013 school year:

Theory of Knowledge:

The Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course encourages critical thinking about knowledge itself, to try to help young people make sense of what they encounter.

TOK activities and discussions aim to help students discover and express their views on knowledge issues. The course encourages students to share ideas with others and to listen and learn from what others think. 

Extended Essay

The extended essay of some 4,000 words offers the opportunity for IBDP students to investigate a topic of special interest, usually one of the student's six DP subjects, and acquaints them with the independent research and writing skills expected at university. 

CAS

Creativity, action, service (CAS) encourages students to be involved in activities as individuals and as part of a team that take place in local, national and international contexts. Creativity, action and service enables students to enhance their personal and interpersonal development as well as their social and civic development, through experiential learning, lending an important counterbalance to the academic pressures of the rest of the IB Diploma Programme. It is both challenging and enjoyable - a personal journey of self-discovery that recognizes each student's individual starting point.

IB Exams

Performance in the IBDP is assessed through a variety of methods. These include both internal assessment of coursework by teachers and by external assessment, typically involving written examinations at the end of the two year programme in May. 

In each examination, the student is graded on a scale of 1 (minimum) to 7 (maximum). The award of the diploma requires students to meet defined standards and conditions. These include a minimum total of 24 points and the satisfactory completion of three compulsory core components.

Success in the IB examinations may qualify a student for either direct entry into a three-year university program, or for advanced placement/credit at a four-year institution. 

Excellent Preparation for University

• “Success in an IB program correlates well with success at Harvard. We are always pleased to see the credentials of the IB Diploma Program on the transcript.” Harvard University, Marilyn McGrath Lewis, Assistant Dean of Admissions.
• “A transcript that reveals a student’s enrolment in International Baccalaureate courses serves notice to the admissions officer that the applicant is someone who accepts rather than avoids educational challenges. Further, a successful IB student will enrol at Michigan with some advantages over students who have taken less intensive programs.” University of Michigan, Cliff Sjogren, former Director of Admissions.
• “The breadth of the IB Diploma has always appealed to LSE selectors. We find that because the IB is intellectually and personally demanding, it provides a very good springboard for study at university level.” London School of Economics (LSE), Jan Stockdale, Dean of Undergraduate Studies.
• “They come out of school with a broad education. It's that which [we] appreciate in IB students.” Nottingham University, Roy Bradshaw, Admissions Tutor.

For more information about the IB Diploma Programme, please email Mr Erwin Utchanah, IBDP Co-ordinator via Erwin.Utchanah@acgedu.com