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Pre-U: IB Programme

‘What the IB gives you, that I think A-levels don't, are the skills not just to get into university, but to succeed at university’ - Telegraph 2019

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Welcome to the Pre-U at ISB. At Pre-U (16-18) we offer the IB - an aspirational, global and modern curriculum that inspires children to become their own drivers for success and change. We firmly believe that the International Baccalaureate (IB) is the best programme for our students. It is a rigorous academic program emphasising academic achievement, critical thinking, research skills and community service. It has great heritage and reputation, and has been operating worldwide for almost 60 years and is in place in almost 5500 schools in around 160 countries around the world (as of June 2022). 

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The Diploma Programme encourages students to:

  • ask challenging questions

  • learn how to learn

  • develop a strong sense of their own identity and culture

  • develop the ability to communicate with and understand people from other countries and cultures

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The IB is the most highly valued post-16 qualification by many universities across the world.  In almost all UK and North American universities it is felt to be the best programme in preparing students for Tertiary Education.

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At ISB our students consistently exceed world average point scores and go on to study at a range of universities around the world.  UK destinations include Kings College, Imperial College, LSE, Exeter, Bath and Edinburgh.  US and Canadian unversities include Cornell, Yale, California Davis, Toronto, McGill and UBC.  Australian and Asian universities include Melbourne, New South Wales, Monsah (Australia) , Brunei Darussalam, Duke Kunshan (China), National University of Singapore, Hanyang and Yonsei (Korea), University of Hong Kong, Curtin, Taylors and Asia Pacific (Malaysia)

The IB programme at ISB ensures that our students leave school prepared for university, prepared for the challenges they will face but, more than this, able to actively participate in society as open minded, principled global citizens. 

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Below outlines the main Pre-U pathways offered by ISB.  For detail on the Pre-U IB programme please visit ISB Pre-U website.

Pre-U IB Pathways

Full IB Diploma

This is the programme that most students at ISB will follow, as we believe given the right options choices and guidance all students can achieve in the full IB Diploma pathway. The courses consist of :

  • 3 Standard Level Subjects (150 hours of study over two years)

  • 3 Higher Level Subjects (240 hours of study over two years)

  • Theory of Knowledge Course (a critical thinking course in which you discuss how knowledge is constructed, communicated and shared)

  • Creativity, Activity and Service (students participate in a series of experiences and a longer project of their choice, to show skills gained)

  • Extended Essay (a 4000 word essay)

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There is no flexibility in the above areas. The full IB Diploma is accepted universally around the world at all Universities including the most prestigious. For more information follow see ISB Pre-U website

The IB Courses Programme

This programme, reduces the academic load for students who really wish to focus on a smaller number of subject areas than the full IB Diploma. Generally, students

  • choose to do 5 IB subjects, with a combination of their choice at Higher Level and Standard Level. We recommend students sit a minimum of 2 Higher Level subjects.

  • participate in the Creativity, Activity and Service programme but are not assessed

  • have ultimate flexibility and may if they wish continue to pursue an Extended Essay or Theory of Knowledge but this is unusual as they prefer to use the extra time to improve their grades in their 5 subjects.

 

The IB Courses is accepted around the world, but prestigious universities in some countries such as the UK may not accept the programme. However, most mid-range universities will. US College admissions fully accept the IB Courses pathway and in fact many of their IB entry students will have followed this pathway.  Many universities in Asia and Australia accept IB Courses for particular degrees or foundation courses leading to degrees.

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For more information follow see ISB Pre-U website

Key contacts

  • IBDP Coordinator: Richard Edwards

  • Head of Year 12&13: Claire Mcghee

  • University Counsellor: Emily Deacon

  • ToK: Sonica Patwardhan

  • CAS: David Glantz

  • EE: Terry Bull

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