IBDP (Years 12-13) Welcome to the Dulwich College Seoul Options Guide for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). On this page, you will find all the information you need to make your choice of subjects for the IB Diploma Programme that you will follow in the Sixth Form at Dulwich College Seoul. The guide also provides information about the IB Diploma Programme as a whole, its philosophy and the elements that make up the core of the programme. This is a very exciting time in your school life in which you begin to think seriously about where your academic interests lie and what pathway you might eventually choose through Higher Education. What is the IB Diploma Programme? The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) is a two-year pre-university course. It is best summarised by the programme model: All students in the IB Diploma Programme must study six subjects chosen from the following areas: Group 1 Studies in Language and Literature Group 2 Language Acquisition Group 3 Individuals and Societies Group 4 Sciences Group 5 Mathematics Group 6 The Arts Students at Dulwich College Seoul may choose to substitute an additional subject from Group 3 or Group 4 for a Group 6 Arts subject. Three subjects must be studied at Standard Level (SL) and three subjects must be studied at Higher Level (HL). In addition to studying six subjects, all students will study the Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course, complete an Extended Essay (EE) and fulfil the objectives for Creativity, Action and Service (CAS). Assessment and Calculation of Score The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is scored out of 45 points. This is the maximum points score that any student can achieve. Each of the six subjects is worth a maximum of 7 points. This totals 42 points maximum.
The remaining 3 points are awarded from the Core and are based on the student s performance in TOK and the Extended Essay. Although there are no actual points for CAS, failure to meet the CAS objectives will result in the Diploma being withheld. Grading in the Diploma is criterion-referenced. This means that each student s performance is measured against well-defined levels of achievement, which are consistent from one examination session to the next. Grades are not awarded on a curve to a certain percentage of candidates. In theory, if every student demonstrated a Level 7 achievement on an examination, then they should all be awarded the top Level. Each of the six subjects is given a numerical grade as follows: 7 Excellent 6 Very good 5 Good 4 Satisfactory 3 Mediocre 2 Poor 1 Very poor All students must achieve at least 24 points, submit an Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge work that are of passable standard and meet the CAS objectives to be awarded a Diploma. IB Diploma candidates take their final examinations in May of Year 13 and receive their results shortly after they leave Year 13, in early July. What is Theory of Knowledge (TOK)? The Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course is unique to the IB Diploma Programme. The course encourages students to think about the nature of knowledge, to reflect on the process of learning in all the subjects they study as part of their Diploma Programme course, and to make connections across them. The TOK course is assessed by a presentation and an essay. All students will have the chance to make their TOK presentation before the end of Year 12. The TOK essay will be written in the first term of Year 13 and the TOK essay titles are set by the IB Organisation (IBO). Recent TOK Essay titles have included: In the natural sciences progress can be made, but in the arts this is not possible. To what extent do you agree?
Only seeing general patterns can give us knowledge. Only seeing particular examples can give us understanding. To what extent do you agree with these assertions? Can we know when to trust our emotions in the pursuit of knowledge? The whole point of knowledge is to produce both meaning and purpose in our personal lives. To what extent do you agree with this statement? Extended Essay What is the Extended Essay? All IB Diploma students must complete an Extended Essay. The Extended Essay is the prime example of a piece of work where the student has the opportunity to show knowledge, understanding and enthusiasm about a topic of his or her choice. The Extended Essay promotes high-level research, writing skills, intellectual discovery and creativity. The student will have the opportunity to engage in personal research in a topic and subject of his/her choice under the guidance of a supervisor (a teacher in the school). The Extended Essay is presented as a formal piece of scholarship containing no more than 4000 words. At Dulwich College Seoul, you will begin the Extended Essay in the Spring Term of Year 12 and hand in the final version of your essay by the end of September in Term 1 of Year 13. The Extended Essay topic must come from the list of approved subjects. This list includes all the subjects that are offered in the IB Diploma Programme. Additionally, students may request to submit an Extended Essay in the following subjects: Computer Science Design and Technology Human Rights Politics Psychology World Religions Environmental Systems and Societies Dance Film Business and Management Sports, Exercise and Health Science Literature and Performance
All students will be asked to express their first and second preference of subject. Not every student will necessarily be able to pursue their first preference. Supervisors will be allocated by the IB Coordinator in consultation with Heads of Department. What Subjects are Available at Dulwich College Seoul? The following subjects are available in each Group: Group 1 English Language and Literature Group 2 Mandarin B SL French B Spanish ab initio Group 3 Economics Geography History Group 4 Biology Chemistry Physics Group 5 Mathematics Maths Studies Group 6 Music Theatre Visual Arts On the following sections you will find a brief outline of the group and attached course descriptions for each subject. Group 1 Group 1 in the IB Diploma is for the study of language and literature. Students should be studying their mother tongue or their strongest academic language in this group. For most students at Dulwich College Seoul that will be English. A wide variety of languages are offered by the IB in Group 1 and, where English is not the most appropriate language for a student to take in this group, students should speak to the IBDP coordinator about other
options. For some languages, it may be possible for the school to provide a teacher in that language. It is also permitted for students to take their Group 1 language through supported self-study. Group 2 Group 2 is Language Acquisition. All students must study a second language in the IB Diploma. Languages may be studied at 'B' level or as an ab initio subject. 'B' languages are designed for students who have already been studying the language for at least three years; a good indication of a student's suitability for this course is that the student has achieved a good grade (at least a C) in the IGCSE in that language. If the student does not have a language at that level, then an ab initio course may be more suitable. These are designed for beginners; but do have in mind though that not all languages are of the same level of difficulty, and Chinese ab initio, for example, is relatively more challenging for a beginner than a European language such as Spanish. If you are unsure of the correct level to take in Group 2, speak to the languages teachers and the IB Coordinator. The most important consideration is that the course you take provides the right level of challenge for you over the next two years. Note that is it also possible for students to take an additional Group 1 language if their capability in two languages is reasonably equal. This will again require discussion with the IB Coordinator. This situation is most likely to occur where a student wishes to take both English and Korean Language and Literature. Group 3 Group 3 is Individuals and Societies, or humanities subjects. At Dulwich College Seoul, we offer the opportunity to take Geography, History or Economics. All DP students must choose a subject from Group 3. Many students will continue with one of the subjects they may have taken at IGCSE but it is possible to begin any of these subjects in the DP without having taken IGCSE. You should speak to the teachers responsible for the subject. If you do decide to begin a new subject, they will probably want to assign you some work over the summer to help prepare you. Group 4 Group 4 is Natural Sciences. At Dulwich College Seoul, we offer Biology, Chemistry and Physics in this group. These can be taken at either Higher or
Standard Level. All DP students must study a Group 4 subject. Students who have taken IGCSE Combined Sciences are able to take any Group 4 subject at either level, but the student should speak to his/her Science teachers if planning to study at the Higher Level. If a student is considering two sciences - one in Group 4 and one in Group 6 - consider the logical combinations: most students taking two sciences will either take Chemistry and Physics or Chemistry and Biology. Group 5 All students in the Diploma programme must study Mathematics. Students can decide whether to take Mathematics at Higher Level or at Standard Level. They can also opt for Maths Studies. A good indicator that Mathematics Higher Level is the right course is that you are doing well in Further Pure Mathematics in Year 11. Students who have only done IGCSE Mathematics can still opt for Higher Level, but should discuss this decision with his/her Maths teacher and should ideally be a solid A* candidate in the IGCSE. Maths Studies is a good option for students who are not focused on Mathematics and who will not be applying for courses involving Maths in Higher Education. Group 6 Group 6 is for the Arts subjects. At Dulwich College Seoul, we offer all three main Arts subjects: Visual Arts, Music and Theatre. Students who intend to take an arts related course in Higher Education, should keep an Arts subject in Group 6. We encourage all students to think seriously about continuing with an Arts subject though, for some, it will not be possible because of the need to do two sciences. Those students not wishing to take an Arts subject may substitute an additional subject from Groups 3 or 4, subject to option blocks.
Universities and the IBDP University Recognition IB is well known to us as excellent preparation. Success in an IB programme correlates well with success at Harvard. We are pleased to see the credential of the IB Diploma Programme on the transcript. - Marilyn McGrath Lewis (Assistant Dean of Admissions, Harvard University) The IB Diploma is internationally respected as a world-class pre-university qualification that provides access to the most competitive universities and degree courses in the UK, USA and other countries such as Australia and Canada. Why do Universities value IB Students? IB students are prepared for academic success. IB students are more likely than others to enrol in and graduate from selective higher education institutions. Based on their experiences, IB students possess a broader range of skills that enhance their ability to adapt and contribute to university life. IB students demonstrate a level of emotional and intellectual maturity when managing the demands of challenging coursework and making meaningful contributions. They have extensive experience doing independent research and presenting what they have learned through presentations, papers and other projects. They think critically and draw on diverse perspectives that reflect an international outlook. Participation in the IB Diploma Programme shows that students have excelled in multiple and diverse academic challenges, and is a strong predictor for success in university.* * http://www.ibo.org/recognition/documents/ibrecognitionbrochure_finalv2.pdf Diploma Programme students are well-rounded, multifaceted, multiskilled and have studied in depth. They have good time-management skills. They score higher than students in other national systems, and the IB score is worldwide the same measure. - Hrilina Lock (Undergraduate Admissions Manager, London School of Economics, UK)
Higher Education and IBDP Choices Subject Choice Guidance in Relation to University Applications It is difficult to make very wrong choices in the IB Diploma as it forces you to maintain a breadth of subjects. It is important, however, to give some thought to your possible Higher Education ambitions before making your final choices. The following guidance is particularly appropriate for those students who may want to apply for very specific degree courses (particularly in the UK) at very high-ranking universities. If you are in doubt about your choices and think you may be ruling yourself out of a course in which you might be interested, please consult the Higher Education office. Medicine/Dentistry In order to have the widest possible choice of medical/dental schools the following choices are generally advisable: Chemistry IB Higher Level is essential. Biology Higher Level at IB is required by medical schools. Mathematics is useful/recommended; Mathematics at Higher Level or Standard Level at IB is recommended. Most Oxbridge colleges are happy to see two sciences and Maths at Higher Level. Veterinary Science This is a highly competitive course, so it is essential to have two sciences (one of which must be Chemistry) and Mathematics minimum at either IB Higher Level. Natural Sciences For this very competitive course it is important to have as much science and Mathematics as possible at IB Higher Level. Economics, Physics, Engineering and Mathematics For high-ranking universities we recommend candidates to take Mathematics at IB Higher Level. Philosophy, Politics and Economics For this combination it is not a requirement to be taking these subjects at IB but it is useful to have studied at least one or two of them, because it proves interest and helps in an interview.
Mathematics and History are also highly desirable background subjects and may considerably improve chances of acceptance into university courses. Law There are no specific subject requirements. One can study arts or sciences or a combination. As grade requirements are very high it is important to study subjects that you will do well in. It can be helpful to demonstrate both analytical (logic) and essay writing skills across your subjects. This makes a contrasting subject useful. Languages are also useful and can enable you to study a European/English law combination. English Some universities like to see a modern or a classical language in the combination, with English at IB Higher Level a requirement. Universities are usually pleased to see other supportive essaywriting subjects, such as History. Architecture Visual Arts is highly recommended, preferably at Higher Level, as most universities will require you to submit a portfolio of work. Finally, it goes without saying that for most other subjects it is recommended/highly desirable to have the relevant discipline to Higher Level IB if it is available, e.g. History to a high standard in order to study History at university. You should also think carefully in Year 12 about your choice of Extended Essay topic and how you might use that to demonstrate your interests to universities and colleges. Useful links for university and college research: UK universities and can be researched at the following websites. As you narrow down your search, be sure to visit the actual websites of the institutions and faculties in which you are interested for the latest information. www.ucas.com http://university.which.co.uk/ Making Choices The process of making choices for the IB Diploma can be a stressful one, but you should remember that it is hard to go too wrong; the IBDP forces you to
keep a broad and balanced range of subjects. Do pay attention to the information provided here on Higher Education and IBDP choices and, if you have a particular interest, research online to make sure there are no particular prerequisites. You should talk to your teachers, your parents and the IB Coordinator. You will all have an interview with the Higher Education Counsellor to ensure that your choices make sense in terms of your future plans.