IB Diploma Programme

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) was created in 1968. It is a demanding pre-university course of study that leads to examinations. It is designed for highly motivated secondary school students in their last two years of high school.

Course offerings are detailed in the IB Diploma Programme Handbook

The programme has earned a reputation for rigorous assessment, giving IB diploma holders access to the world's leading universities. The DP's grading system is criterion-referenced, which means that each student's performance is measured against well-defined levels of achievement. These are consistent from one examination session to the next and are applied equally to all schools.

The DP incorporates the best elements of national systems, without being based on any one. It allows internationally mobile students to transfer from one DP school to another.

Qatar Academy was authorized to offer the two-year curriculum of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP) in April 2002, and in August of that year enrolled the first cohort of DP students. These students sat their exams in May 2004. Each year since, all students entering Grade 11 undertake the DP.

The Diploma Programme, for students aged 16-18, is a two-year program that prepares students for college and university. It is reading and writing intensive and emphasizes critical thinking and the application of content knowledge to real-world issues and problems.

Grades 11-12 organize subject content around the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. This is a two-year university course of study that offers a broad choice of subjects.

Students may be awarded the Qatar Academy High School Diploma by the end of Grade 12 if they are:

a full IB diploma candidate or
taking at least five IB certificates

This is in addition to other graduating requirements.

At the end of Grade 12 every student will be awarded a Qatar Academy High School Diploma with either the IB full Diploma or five IB certificates.

Qatar Academy's sequence of courses sets an academically rigorous and challenging program that is varied enough to meet the needs of each Senior School student.

The programme has four components:

The strengths of a traditional and broad curriculum with the study of six subjects: three studied at Higher Level and three at Standard Level (see below). These are externally assessed both through examinations and internal assessment assignments marked at school level, but moderated externally.
An Extended Essay of approximately 4,000 words intended to introduce students to the kind of independent research and writing skills expected by universities. This is assessed externally.
Theory of Knowledge: an interdisciplinary course taken by all students. It is intended to stimulate critical reflection on the knowledge in its many forms. It is assessed externally through an essay and the internal component moderated externally.
Participation in the Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) programme aims to develop in students a greater awareness of themselves, concern for others, and the ability to work cooperatively with other people.

For more information on the IB Diploma Programme, please visit the IB's website, www.ibo.org, or contact the IB DP Coordinator. Email Ronald Smith, Assistant Head and IB Diploma Coordinator, Senior School, Tel: +974 4826828, Fax: +974 4809566 - Email: rsmith@qf.org.qa

"The Senior School strives to provide a supportive environment that challenges each student's academic potential while enhancing self-esteem and personal development"

IB Diploma Programme