Holistic and globally minded qualification

The IBDP is a rigorous and balanced programme of education that is offered to students in Years 11 and 12, as an alternative to the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE). Recognised and respected both internationally and domestically, the IBDP enables students to study at Australian universities and is also valued by overseas universities as a matriculation qualification.

Academic Aims

The IB’s academic programme aims to awaken the intelligence of young people and teach them to relate the content of the classroom to the realities of the world outside. Comprehensive and balanced curricula coupled with challenging assessments have established the IB as a unique institution in the arena of international education. Beyond intellectual rigour and high academic standards, strong emphasis is placed on the ideals of international understanding and responsible citizenship.

The desired profile of the IB student is that of a critical and compassionate thinker, an informed participant in local and world affairs who values the shared humanity that binds all people together while respecting the variety of cultures and attitudes that makes for the richness of life. These qualities—embodied in the IB learner profile—prepare IB students to make exceptional contributions on campus and after they leave our gates.

Hear more about the IB Diploma

IBDP Course Requirements

Students are required to choose courses from the six separate subject groups in order to complete the qualification. These include:

  • 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.

In Group 6, students can choose either an arts subject or a second subject from Group 3 or Group 4.

Core studies

In addition, all DP students are required to undertake three core studies: 

  • Extended Essay: The extended essay enables students to engage in independent research through an in-depth study of around 4000 words relating to one of their chosen subjects. 
  • Theory of Knowledge (TOK): TOK is a course in critical thinking that teaches students ˜how’ to learn, helping them to develop a comprehensive knowledge of the learning process that they can apply to various disciplines and across all their subjects. 
  • Creativity, Action, Service (CAS): CAS involves students in a range of activities outside the classroom and will run over an 18-month period. A wide range of experiences will be completed including involvement in the arts, physical activity and community service.

Criteria

At least three subjects (and no more than four) must be Higher Level subjects. Higher level subjects involve 240 teaching hours.

The remaining subjects must be Standard Level subjects. Standard level subjects involve 150 teaching hours. 

This way, students can explore some subjects in depth and some more broadly over the two-year period. While overall balance is maintained, flexibility in choosing higher level subjects allows the student to pursue areas of personal interest and to meet special requirements for university entrance. 

Additional costs involved in undertaking the IB Diploma

Geelong Grammar incurs a number of additional costs in offering the IB Diploma including registration fees, examination fees and administrative fees. Thus we ask parents to contribute a fee towards this in increments as outlined below:
  • 2022 IB Diploma Students: The School will bill this in the form of three instalments as part of Terms 2, 3 and 4 fees in Year 12
  • 2023 IB Diploma Students: The School will bill this in the form of four instalments as part of Term 2 in Year 11 and as part of Terms 2, 3 and 4 in Year 12