The IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) is a rigorous pre-university programme that is designed to prepare students for university life. When students successfully complete the IB DP, they are often included in the top brackets of students who are vying for university placements around the world.

In addition to challenging students academically, the IB DP also provides students with a well-rounded, holistic education. It features a broad set of subjects in which students exercise their critical thinking skills. It also includes core components such as the Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) Programme, the Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay.

These are a few more benefits that your child may realise if they enrol in the IB DP at GIIS:

Rigorous Academic Curriculum

The IB DP is anchored by its broad subject groups, in which students can select specific courses geared towards their personal interests or professional aspirations. By having the ability to choose specialised courses that suit their unique interests, students can cater their learning experience to their needs. They feel in control of their own education, which increases their motivation to complete their coursework and succeed in a specific subject. The subject groups that are included as part of the IB DP are Studies in Language and Literature, Language Acquisition, Individuals and Societies, Sciences, Mathematics and the Arts.

Broad Outlook and Global Perspective

The subject areas and courses the students take in the IB DP are designed with a global perspective in mind. Many of the courses involve group discussions and sharing of personal views, and students are required to participate in the classes actively. In the IB Diploma Programme, students are asked to consider the global perspective of a given issue. The student body at GIIS complements this emphasis on a global perspective, as students have lived in various countries around the world and regularly interact with people from a wide variety of backgrounds and cultures. Given the fact that students will face an increasingly global economy, it's extremely beneficial for them to develop a broad outlook during secondary school.

Critical Thinking and Collaborative Skills

The IB DP sets itself apart from other similar curriculum programmes because its focus extends beyond knowledge acquisition. Students are not simply required to memorise facts and reiterate the information they have learned during routine assessments. Instead, the structure of the courses allows students to develop the 21st-century skills that they will need to succeed. Students naturally build their critical thinking skills during the innovative assignments and assessments that are provided. In addition, they often work together with their classmates, which helps them develop their collaborative skills.

Time Management Skills for University and Beyond

Students in the IB DP have the opportunity to follow their syllabus for each individual course and determine how to best complete their assignments. This real-world practice of time management ensures that they are ready for university, which will require them to pace themselves, set their own deadlines and exercise self-discipline in meeting those deadlines. Time management is a skill that needs to be learned early and often practised to be perfected over time.

In-Demand Candidates to the Top Universities Around the World

The IB DP is a highly regarded international pre-university programme that is recognised by universities around the world. While the IB DP may be rigorous and challenging for students from the ages of 16-19, their success in this programme almost guarantees them a spot at their preferred university. It is the best first step they can take towards accomplishing their personal goals, and it will uniquely prepare them for the university experience and the professional world.

The IB DP is offered at various schools in Singapore and beyond, so why should your child opt to enrol in the IB DP at GIIS? Here are a few reasons to consider:

• We are an established international school that has been offering the IB DP since 2007. Our experience with the IB DP ensures that your child has a successful experience. We know what works, and we understand how best to implement the requirements of this programme.
• Our staff members are experienced IB DP teachers. Not all educators at other international schools understand how to implement the IB DP curriculum successfully, but GIIS teachers have significant experience putting this programme into action.
• GIIS students achieve superior results when they take the IB DP assessments. With 3 perfect scorers (45/45) and 4 near-perfect scorers in the 2020 IBDP exams, GIIS had more than 40 per cent of our students scoring over 40 while 71 per cent scored over 35 grade points.

We welcome you to contact GIIS at any time to learn more about the IB DP programme. To enrol your child in the IB DP, set up a one-on-one appointment with one of our admission counsellors.