Are you interested in studying the IB Programme but don't know where to start from?

You’ve probably heard how studying IB offers you many opportunities, but you’re not quite sure if the International Baccalaureate is the ideal programme for you? We will share with you everything in detail, and if you have additional questions, do not hesitate to contact our experts.

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Contact the IB School in Toledo

que es el programa ib

What is the IB Diploma Programme?

Designed by the International Baccalaureate Organization, The IB Diploma Programme is a rigorous and balanced educational programme for students between the ages of 16 and 18. The course is taught over a two-year period culminating in external examinations and internal assessments, providing excellent preparation for university and adult life. Upon graduation of the IBDP, graduates receive an internationally-recognised qualification that is highly regarded among the world’s leading universities.

colegios IB en Madrid

Benefits of the IBDP include:

  • Providing a balanced education to IBDP candidates, who graduate with a breadth of skills and a depth of understanding in their chosen subjects. The IBDP content encourages learners to explore the nature of knowledge in the Theory of Knowledge course, exclusive to the IB
  • Fostering an international mindset in IBDP students
  • Encouraging students to adopt a positive attitude towards learning which prepares them for university education
  • Adapting to rigorous external assessment methods based on global implementation standards
  • The holistic development of the student
  • Cultivating intellectual, emotional, and ethical intelligence
  • A syllabus that complements our School’s Educational Project
el curriculo IB

The IBDP curriculum

Students of the IB Diploma Programme study six Higher or Standard Level subjects. They must choose a subject from each group, labelled 1 to 5, to ensure a broad programme of study inclusive of languages, social sciences, and STEAM subjects. The sixth subject may be one of the Group 6 (Arts) or of any of the other groups. Students must attend three or four Higher Level subjects (with 240 recommended teaching hours) and the remaining course time on Standard Level subjects (150 recommended teaching hours). The subjects can be attended - and assessed - in English, French or Spanish.

Students will understand and become familiar with the IB learning community profile throughout the programme. The ten attributes that comprise it inspire and motivate the work of teachers, students, and schools, providing them with a statement of the IB's goals and values and a definition of what is meant by "international mindset".

estudiar el IB en Madrid

Members of the IB learning community strive to be  inquiring thinkers, communicators, bold, informed and educated, honest, open-minded, supportive, balanced, and reflective, in line with the School's goals since its foundation. The programme also has three components that make up its common core. These are intended to broaden students' educational experience and encourage them to put their knowledge and understanding into practice.

  1. The Extended Essay requires students to conduct independent research through an in-depth study of a topic related to one of the subjects they study. 
  2. The Theory of Knowledge course invites students to reflect on the nature of knowledge through a critical analysis of different forms of knowledge (perception, emotion, language, and reason) and types of knowledge (scientific, artistic, mathematical, and historical). 
  3. In the Creativity, Action, and Service (CAS) module, students are actively involved in projects outside the classroom and learn from this experience. They can then participate in activities that combine these three components or activities specific to each of them. 
evaluación del IB

The assessment

At the end of the programme, students take written exams marked by external IB examiners. Students are also subject to internal assessments delivered by teachers and later reviewed by external moderators or sent directly to external examiners.
The subjects are graded ranging from 1 (lowest grade) to 7 (highest grade). The results of the Theory of Knowledge course element and the Extended Essay are combined, adding up to three additional points to the diploma’s total score.

estudiar IB merece la pena

The diploma is awarded to students who earn at least 24 points, subject to certain minimum levels of performance across the programme and satisfactory completion of the requirements in Creativity, Activity and Service. The highest total score that may be awarded is 45.

The assessment is based on criteria, meaning student performance is measured against the established criteria that outline the specific learning aims for each subject. Statistically, the range of scores obtained by students has remained stable, and universities value the rigour and consistency of the Diploma Programme assessments.

diploma IB

Students may take only a few subjects rather than the entire programme. In these cases, the students receive a certificate for the subjects they pass. At Colegio San Patricio, students may only attend one independent CAS subject, obtaining a certificate that may be attached to their academic experience.

What are the prerequisites to enrol in the IB Diploma Programme?

There are currently no specific requirements to be eligible for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme aside from those required to study for the National Baccalaureate. 

As it is a demanding program that facilitates access to the best universities in the world, it is necessary for students who chose it to have a good academic base, qualities to work as a team, the ability to put effort into work, and an open-mind approach to discover all the advantages that this international system will offer them. Furthermore, they will always have the support of their teachers and the program coordinator to achieve their goals. 

Contact us and we will be happy to guide you on your journet and to provide you with more information about the entrance tests and interview. 

How do you choose the school to study the IB Diploma Programme in?

There are several centres in Spain, both public and private, in which students can study this fantastic programme. However, it is important to consider the fact that schools accredited by the International Baccalaureate Association (IB), having a background in the implementation of the program with teachers and coordinators specially prepared to teach the classes, have good academic results in the IB examinations of previous years. Those students have been able to choose, for the most part, their first choice for the university regardless of where in the world they are. 

The selected school should have a wide range of extracurricular activities as these enrich the Diploma Program and nourish the student’s profile. 

The IB programme at Colegio San Patricio brings together all these qualities and offers an education engraved in values and a family atmosphere. 

Who can join the IB Diploma Programme?

At Colegio San Patricio Madrid in El Soto, any student who has passed the secondary level, has a good level of English, is open-minded, and can carry out individual and team work, would be a good fit to join this demanding educational model that will offer them countless possibilities.  

For anyone that wants to gain access to the 3–18 year IB Continuous Program (EYFS – PYP - MYP), the International School San Patricio Toledo offers this wonderful option, commencing their education through the IB system from early on.  

The Diploma Program in our school in Toledo can be taken in Spanish/English or only in English. 

Advantages of studying the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme at Colegio San Patricio Madrid

Studying International Baccalaureate (IB) at Colegio San Patricio Madrid, offers its students personalized training in its bilingual Diploma Program. 

The continuous monitoring by the professors allows the carrying out of this demanding and ambitious program to be a unique experience that provides students with the right preparation to access the university of their choice. 

  • Widest range of subjects offered 
  • Extraordinary results 
  • Achieving their goals of entering the careers and universities they want 
  • Various extracurricular experiences that enrich the Diploma Program and nourish the student’s profile. 
  • Open configuration optionsOpen configuration options

 

We would love to meet you and explain to you about the IB Programme.

For any inquiries, please fill the form below.