International Baccalaureate

The British International School Bratislava (BISB) offers from September 2007 the pre-university course called the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP).

The International Baccalaureate Diploma is a two-year pre-university programme, with approximately the same validity as national pre-university programmes such as A Levels, the Abitur, and Maturita. Successful completion of the course results in an internationally recognised IB Diploma or in individual subject Certificates, if the criteria for awarding the Diploma are not met. (Some universities recognise Certificates for individual subjects even if the full Diploma is not awarded. Information about the criteria for gaining the Diploma follows.)

The Diploma Programme provides a well-balanced course of studies comprising a broad range of subjects and activities. Requirements for entry to universities are met by following some subjects at Higher and others at Standard Level. Higher Level courses receive 4 hours of teaching per week, and Standard Level 2.5 hours.

The programme outline is uniform throughout IB schools worldwide, and provides a Diploma to meet university admission standards internationally. Major universities throughout the world hold the IB Diploma in high regard. Indeed, in the United States, achievement within the IB Diploma course is considered a sound basis for awarding advanced placement at many of the major US universities.

The International Baccalaureate Diploma is an educational challenge which provides scope for both academic achievement and worthwhile creative, sporting and social service. It is ‘international’ not only because it is accepted worldwide, but also because it is a cross-cultural programme followed by thousands of young adults who thereby gain knowledge of, and respect for, the cultures of the world.

ADMISSION TO THE INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE DIPLOMA PROGRAMME

a) Students already at BISB

Generally speaking, students who have completed Year 11 with us and have gained 5 IGCSEs at grade C or better will be accepted on to the Diploma Programme (DP). We would normally expect two of these subjects to be Mathematics and English Language.

b) Students from other schools

As a good command of English is essential, we would request that prospective students sit an English Language assessment prior to enrolment. Only if an acceptable standard of English is proven would a student be enrolled into the DP. In addition to this we would require copies of the last two school reports, plus evidence of any public examinations which have been taken.

Once the above criteria are met, students would then have an interview with the IB Co-coordinator to work out the most suitable choice of subjects and levels to be taken on the DP. Information about the various subjects is contained in the ‘Courses Guide’ booklet.

Potential students should bear in mind that the DP is very challenging academically and will require a great deal of commitment and determination to succeed. Throughout the two-year programme we shall, of course, offer support and guidance to students, but it is they who have to put in the time and effort necessary for success.

THE IB CURRICULUM - A GENERAL OUTLINE

The International Baccalaureate is a two-year pre-university course, designed to allow students to apply to a wide range of colleges and universities worldwide. The comprehensive course of study for the Diploma provides a balanced education, and promotes international understanding.

The IB Diploma consists of the study of six academic subjects with three additional elements – Creativity, Action, Service (CAS); Theory of Knowledge (TOK); and Extended Essay, more of which later. A student should study one subject from each of the following groups. (Note that Slovak can only be chosen in one group.)

Group 1 : Language A1 – English, Slovak, Korean

Group 2 : Language B: English, French or German, Spanish Ab Initio or Slovak A1

Group 3 : Study of Individuals in Society- Geography, History, Business and Management or Economics.

Group 4 : Experimental Sciences – Biology, Chemistry, or Physics.

Group 5 : Mathematics – Mathematics (Standard or Higher Level) or Mathematical Studies (Standard Level only).

Group 6 : Electives – a student may select either Visual Arts, Film or a second subject from Groups 2, 3 or 4.

As a candidate for the IB Diploma, a student must satisfy the following conditions:

• Study one subject from each group;
• Follow three of the six subjects at Higher Level;
• Follow a course of study in Theory of Knowledge;
• Submit an Extended Essay in one of the IB subjects;
• Actively and effectively participate in Creativity, Action and Service (CAS) activities.

Please note that the information concerning subject choices on this page provides an overview of the programme available. The particular subjects and levels offered each year are based on the identified needs of each year group. It may not always be possible to provide all the courses given above. Details of the courses are contained in the ‘Courses Guide’ booklet.

Extended Essay (EE)

IB Diploma Programme students are required to undertake original research and write an extended essay of 4,000 words (maximum).This essay offers the student the opportunity to investigate a topic of special interest and to become acquainted with the kind of independent research and writing skills expected at the university level. The IBO recommends that a student devote a total of about 40 hours of private study and writing time to the essay.

The extended essay can serve to deepen a student’s programme of study, for example when the student chooses to focus the essay on a topic included in a higher-level course. Students may also elect to add to the breadth of their academic experience by writing on a subject not included in their diploma choices.

During the research and essay-writing process, students are assigned to a EE tutor who will supervise the student’s work, offer guidance and advice, and ensure that the work submitted is entirely that of the student.

Failure to produce an EE disqualifies a student from achieving the Diploma, regardless of performance elsewhere in the programme.

Theory of Knowledge (TOK)

Theory of Knowledge (TOK) is an interdisciplinary compulsory requirement intended to stimulate critical reflection on knowledge and experience gained inside and outside the classroom, is a course of study unique to the International Baccalaureate Organization. It adds coherence to the programme. TOK should involve at least 100 hours of teaching time spanning the programme’s two years.

Students are encouraged to reflect on all aspects of their Diploma Programme work. For example, students are encouraged to reflect on the nature of poetic truth in literature and to contrast such truth with that obtained in other systems of knowledge – the historical fact, the scientific fact, a mathematical proof, and so on. They also examine the grounds for the moral, political and aesthetic judgments that individuals must make in their daily lives. Emphasis is placed on the role of language and thought and on the development of the student’s critical thinking skills.

Students are helped to consider how they know what they know (different ways of “knowing”) and to develop habits of reflection which they bring to each subject, resulting in a deeper intellectual experience. TOK course explores various cultural traditions and encourages students to think about the strengths and limitations of different ways of knowing.

TOK is not another name for philosophy, yet in a broad sense the aim of TOK is to encourage a philosophical cast of mind and to promote clarity of thought and good judgment.

Students who do not complete components in TOK will not be awarded Diploma status.

Creativity, Action, Service (CAS)

CAS is a fundamental part of the Diploma Programme experience.The CAS requirement takes seriously the importance of life outside the world of scholarship, providing a refreshing counterbalance to the academic self-absorption some may feel within a demanding school environment.The IB goal of educating the whole person and fostering a more compassionate and active citizenry comes alive in an immediate way when students reach beyond themselves and their books.

The CAS requirement encourages students to share their energy and special talents with others: students may, for example, participate in theatre or musical productions, and sports and community service activities. Students should, through these activities, develop greater awareness of themselves and concern for others, as well as the ability to work cooperatively with other people.

Appropriate CAS activities might include:
• purposeful visits to orphanages, hospitals, or homes for the elderly,
• involvement in theatre productions
• sports coaching
• teaching other students
• participating in the Model United Nations
• charity work
• learning a new musical instrument, craft or sport
• environmental work
• organising school trips and activities

These are only examples. Each student will have other ideas and the CAS Supervisor is on hand to help support them in organising worthwhile projects. CAS is an area of the curriculum in which students must take independent responsibility for meeting all criteria, under the guidance and support of their IB Tutors and the CAS Co-ordinator. Students are expected to be involved in CAS activities for the equivalent of at least three to four hours each week during the two years of the programme, with a minimum requirement of 50 hours in each of the three strands.

A system of self-evaluation encourages students to reflect on the benefits of CAS participation to themselves and to others, and to evaluate the understanding and insights acquired.

Please be aware that students not completing a comprehensive CAS programme will not be awarded the Diploma.

For more information about the IBDP at our school please download all related files below.