IB: International Baccalaureate

Benefits of Studying the IB Diploma

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme offers reliable, world-renowned academic preparation, fostering international-mindedness, an entrepreneurial mindset, and an understanding of intercultural differences. It opens doors to the best higher education institutions worldwide and improves individual career prospects. Universities regularly cite IBDP students as the best prepared for higher education since IBDP graduates excel at university and often begin their studies with advanced standing.

With a student-centred approach, the IB Diploma Programme focuses on developing learners intellectually, emotionally, physically and socially, instead of preparing them for test-taking only. 

The IB programme offers an excellent balance between academic depth and breadth: students have to study two languages, mathematics, a natural science and a social science in addition to the core elements of the programme - CAS, Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay. This ensures the development of the widest possible range of skills and attributes, including excellent literacy, numeracy and analytical abilities, communication, creativity, independent thinking, effective management of heavy workloads, collaboration, and leadership skills.

IB Requirements & Assessment

Three subjects are chosen at a Higher Level (HL), the others at a Standard Level (SL). Students are able to make their choices flexibly; this means they can decide which subjects to study more deeply with a view to future university attendance. The Higher-Level subjects are studied more deeply and extensively than those at Standard Level. At both levels, various skills are developed, especially those of critical thought and analysis. At the end of the course, students’ achievements are evaluated by means of external examinations. Many subjects also involve tasks that are internally assessed by the teachers and externally moderated by the International Baccalaureate.

Assessment and examinations at the end of DP courses provide an IB certification which is recognised by worldwide standards, measuring student understanding and providing a passport to university.

IBDP Activities

In addition to academic subjects, sports and the arts are key pillars in our IB Diploma approach. Our IB subject offer includes Visual Arts, Design & Technology and Theatre Studies. Physical Education is part of the curriculum at every age level. These activities are also available as co-curricular clubs or extracurricular options, from PaRK Team to PaRK Music Academy or the Drama Club.

Learn More about the IB Diploma Programme

IB Diploma Teachers & Tutor Time

At PaRK IS' Senior School the pastoral team consists of the Deputy Head Pastoral, Heads of Year and tutors. Students have 15 minutes each morning with their tutor to register and organise themselves for the day ahead. In addition, all senior school pupils will have one hour per week for Year Group Time. This takes the form of year group assemblies, the social skills curriculum and extended time with their tutors.
 

Who Is Eligible for Bilingual Diplomas?

At PaRK IS, a bilingual diploma is awarded only to candidates who complete and receive a grade 3 or higher in two languages selected from the DP course studies in language and literature.
 

How Is an IB Diploma Useful?

The IBDP effectively prepares students to excel in the next stage of their education and the qualification is widely recognised and accepted by the world’s leading universities.

Unlike A Levels, where a student must focus only on three or four subjects in the last two years of high school, IBDP students choose subjects from six different subject groups in addition to the core components of CAS, Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge. Therefore, the IB Diploma programme provides breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding, developing truly well-rounded individuals with a wide range of skills, such as independent thinking, problem-solving, creativity, communication, and effective time management, all of which will be extremely useful at university and their future careers.
 

IB Diploma Assessment, Grades & Requirements for Completion

In the IBDP, students receive subject grades ranging from 7 to 1, with 7 being the highest. Students receive a grade for each DP course attempted at the end of the two-year programme. A student’s final Diploma result score is made up of the combined scores for each of the 6 subjects (42 points), plus 3 points taken from the Core Programme grades. Therefore, the final score is out of 45 points.

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 components. The Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and Extended Essay (EE) components are awarded individual grades and, collectively, can contribute up to 3 additional points towards the overall Diploma score. Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) – the remaining element in the DP core – does not contribute to the points total but authenticated participation is a requirement for the award of the diploma.
 

The IBDP & Portuguese Secondary School Equivalence

PaRK IS Students who would like to pursue their studies in Portugal can apply to any university; however, the School must request the equivalencies from DGES. The IB Diploma is recognised and is equivalent to the Secondary Portuguese Educational System. PaRK IS Students do not apply as foreign students, but as students who have completed their secondary education in a Foreign System (Sistema Estrangeiro). There is an equivalence between IB Exams and Portuguese Exams. All Portuguese Universities accept IB students as long as the right subjects have been completed for entry to the course of interest. To get into Portuguese Universities, students apply with their IB Average Equivalence (50%, depending on the course) and the IB Exam equivalent to the Portuguese System (50%, depending on the course).