IB: International Baccalaureate in Australia for international students

• Inexpensive (by European standards) quality education, invaluable work experience at the same time;
• A national diploma, similar to the British one;
• It is convenient and comfortable to study here;
• The peculiarity of the college education system is the absence of exams: after listening to one course, a student can transfer to another (including profile), and then enroll in the 2-3 course of the partner university.
• International students are accepted only by accredited reliable institutions.

The IB program was developed in Switzerland in 1968, so that graduates of schools from different countries could enroll in any top university in the world. IB is taught in secondary school, has a general curriculum, thanks to which education is considered international. The IB diploma is recognized in the EU, Canada, the USA and many others (in more than 150 countries in total), it does not even need to pass entrance exams when enrolling in universities.

The International Baccalaureate program is taught in 3 languages:

• English;
• French;
• Spanish.

While studying on the program, you can create an individual curriculum, since the choice of subjects depends on the level of education and the future specialization of the student. Studying at the program develops independence, creative thinking, and the ability to solve emerging problems.

Schools for IB in Australia and many other countries have the necessary accreditation and provide preparation for admission to universities under the IB program in Europe (and not only).

Jake Wilson

Russia, the CIS and Europe Students Admission Regional Director at the National Mathematics and Science College

What subjects have been most commonly chosen in recent years?

STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) is becoming incredibly popular: it is logical, because it is the real key to the future, capable of providing you with a great job and a high salary. Biology, chemistry, computer science, physics, mathematics are consistently popular because they are basic to any STEM degree.

International Baccalaureate is taught in public and private secondary schools, includes effective preparation for admission to international universities. The course consists of 4 stages:

• Primary Years Program;
• Middle Years Program
• Diploma Program;
• Vocational training — Career-related Program — an alternative option for high school.

In primary stage, children 3-12 years old learn to socialize, develop their personal qualities and natural abilities, take part in creative and sports activities.

At the middle stage, students aged 11-16 receive basic academic knowledge, carry out independent projects, learn to work in a team, conduct various experiments and research.

The most popular and in—demand option of the IB program abroad is studying in high school. The curriculum is designed in such a way that children intensively deepen their knowledge, expand their horizons, develop intelligence, endurance, independence, and learn to show leadership qualities. For 2 years, high school students receive high-quality education, at the end of their studies they are awarded a diploma.

A variant of this stage is an alternative program for students aged 16-19 who want to get not only theory, but also practical skills. Upon graduation, they are given an employment opportunity, and they can also enter the university.

To successfully complete the course and obtain a diploma, students must finish all steps:

Choose six disciplines, three of which are studied at the advanced level — Higher level (240 academic hours must be spent on them);

Three at the standard level — Standard level (150 hours in total).

List of subject groups at International Baccalaureate consist of:

• Main language;
• Foreign language;
• Social and humanitarian subjects;
• Experimental and exact sciences;
• Mathematics;
• Creativity.

As the main language, students can choose from more than 80 options, in practice, students usually choose English or their native language. The study of an additional foreign language is carried out at the basic, intermediate and advanced level — it depends on the initial knowledge of the student. The study of humanities, experimental sciences and mathematics is studied using theory and practice. Creative direction is not completely mandatory, instead you can choose a subject from another group.

Additional subjects for students to choose from:

• Design;
• Music;
• Theatrical art.

The IB program has a seven—point evaluation system, the highest result is 7 points. The final grade consists of the results for all the subjects passed. Additional grades can be obtained for an excellent thesis and participation in the course "Theory of Knowledge". In order for a graduate to receive the coveted diploma, he needs to score at least 24 points. The maximum number of points in the program is 45, the average passing number of points for admission to universities in the USA and Britain is 32.

The course "Theory of Knowledge" lasts about 100 hours: students listen to lectures and attend discussion classes. The main task of the Theory of Knowledge is to develop critical thinking in high school students, to teach them how to compose and competently express their own opinion using arguments. As an exam, students write an abstract on one of the proposed topics for 1200-1600 words, then arrange a presentation in front of the group.

The thesis is a detailed essay with a volume of 4 thousand words. The topic of the study is chosen by students independently in those subjects that have already been studied. The main criterion of the work is to express your own opinion on the project. Teachers provide comprehensive support to students, help in choosing a topic, give valuable recommendations on the correct design and content of the text. In total, about 40 training hours are allocated for training.

CAS stands for Creativity — creativity, Action — movement, Service — help. The purpose of the course is to fully reveal the talents and abilities of students: they participate in organized sports competitions, creative circles, provide assistance to those in need and work as volunteers. Students must spend at least 50 hours on each direction in the program.

There are two options for studying under the IB program:

• Standard, with graduation;
• Flexible, with obtaining a certificate.

In a more flexible version of the program, students are not required to study all the necessary subjects, there is no need to take a combined TALK course, write essays and participate in the CAS program. To obtain the International Baccalaureate Certificate, it is enough for a student to pass exams in selected subjects. This training option is suitable for those children who do not plan to enter universities, but are intensively preparing for the exams they need more (SAT, ACT, TOEFL).

Admission requirements for the IB program:

• Report card with grades;

• Portfolio with personal certificates and awards;

• Motivational essay;

• Recommendations from teachers and class teacher;

• Entrance test;

• English Proficiency test;

• Personal Interview (or via Skype).

The IB or International Baccalaureate program is an educational system that is designed taking into account international educational standards and is intended for high school students. It includes extensive training that focuses on developing critical thinking, international understanding and other skills.

One of the key differences between IB is its international focus. The IB program provides a well-rounded education, including languages, sciences, humanities and mathematics, which helps develop greater intercultural understanding.

The IB program is usually a two-year program, but there is also a three-year option that includes the Middle Years Program (MYP) for younger students.

The IB program offers a wide range of subjects including literature, mathematics, history, chemistry, physics, foreign languages ​​and much more. Students can choose subjects according to their interests and career plans.

By completing the IB program, your child will not only gain in-depth knowledge of a variety of subjects, but will also develop skills in critical thinking, research, communication and international understanding. These skills can significantly improve his chances of getting into university and a future career.

The workload of the IB program can be intense, and students should be prepared to spend a significant amount of time studying for exams and completing homework. On average, students can study from 4 to 6 hours a day, but this may vary depending on the subjects chosen and their own time management.

At the end of the IB program, students sit exams in each of their chosen subjects, as well as write essays and complete projects that are assessed by examiners. These grades are important for obtaining the IB Diploma.

Admission requirements may vary from school to school, but typically require successful completion of high school, teacher recommendations, and an interview with an admissions committee.

Students who successfully complete the IB program have an excellent chance of admission to universities. Many universities recognize the IB program and value the high level of preparation of students who graduate from it.

Graduates of the IB program in Australia have broad career prospects. The IB program imparts not only in-depth knowledge, but also leadership, communication and critical thinking skills that are valued by employers. These qualities make IB graduates competitive in the labor market.