Why the IB is Different

International Baccalaureate® (IB) programmes aim to do more than other curricula by developing inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who are motivated to succeed.

We strive to develop students who will build a better world through intercultural understanding and respect.

IB programme frameworks can operate effectively with national curricula at all ages; more than 50% of IB World Schools are state-funded.

The IB's programmes are different from other curricula because they:

•  encourage students of all ages to think critically and challenge assumptions
  
• develop independently of government and national systems, incorporating quality practice from research and our global community of schools
  
• encourage students of all ages to consider both local and global contexts
  
• develop multilingual students.

In order to teach IB programmes, schools must be authorized. Every school authorized to offer IB programmes is known as an IB World School.

A continuum of international education
We provide a continuum of education, consisting of four programmes that are united by the IB's philosophy and approaches to learning and teaching. The programmes encourage both personal and academic achievement, challenging students to excel in their studies and in their personal development.

Quality practice
IB programmes incorporate quality practice from national and international research and the IB global community. They encourage students to be internationally-minded, within a complex and hyper-connected world.

Students learn how to learn
Throughout all IB programmes, students develop approaches to learning skills and the attributes of the IB learner profile.

Students are able to take responsibility for their own learning and understand how knowledge itself is constructed; this is further to our unique theory of knowledge (TOK) course. They are encouraged to try different approaches to learning and to take responsibility for their own educational progress.

Our programmes help IB students:

• ask challenging questions
  
• think critically
  
• develop research skills proven to help them in higher education.

IB programmes also encourage students to be active in their communities and to take their learning beyond academic study.