International Baccalaureate Diploma: Introduction

The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a recognised leader in the field of international education.

IB programs encourage students to be reflective, active and lifelong learners and critical thinkers.  IB students are forever curious, fully engaged citizens, who both embrace their own culture and are open and responsive to other cultures.

Founded in 1968, the IB currently works with over 2,000 schools in 148 countries to develop and offer programs to over 500,000 students.

The IB Mission Statement

At its heart, the IB is motivated by a mission to create a better world through education. 

This is captured in the IB mission statement:"The International Baccalaureate Organization aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.”To this end, the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) works with schools, governments and international organisations to develop challenging programs of international education. These encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.

Worldwide Recognition

The IB Diploma is recognised by universities throughout the world. These include well known European and North American institutions such as Oxford, Yale and the Sorbonne along with prestigious centres in Latin America and the Asia/Pacific region. Formal agreements exist between the International Baccalaureate Organization and many ministries of education and private institutions. Some colleges and universities may offer advance standing or course credit to students with strong IB examination results.

University Accreditation in Australia

The IB Diploma is recognised by all Australian universities. IB applicants who apply through the Western Australian Tertiary Admission Centre receive an Equivalent National Tertiary Entrance Rank (ENTER). This rank is based on the overall result in the IB Diploma, with an aggregate of six IB subjects plus Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay, giving scores of up to 45.Some universities require minimum grade levels in prerequisite subjects. Applicants will need to satisfy any other special requirements related to courses, and should discuss these prerequisites with the IB Coordinator before selecting courses for their diploma.

More information can be found at www.ibo.org