The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) is a rigorous and balanced education programme 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, this senior IB programme enables students to study at Australian universities and is also valued by overseas universities as a matriculation qualification.
The IB Diploma 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 International Baccalaureate 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 each of our IB students 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.
Each of these qualities is embodied in the IB Learner Profile, a description of the broad attributes that IB students should embody. These qualities prepare IB students to make exceptional contributions on campus and after they leave our gates.
Students are required to choose their IBDP subjects from six separate IB subject groups in order to complete the qualification. These include:
In Group 6, students can choose either an arts subject or a second subject from Group 3 or Group 4.
In addition, all DP students are required to undertake three core studies:
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.
Geelong Grammar School incurs additional costs associated with offering the IB Diploma, including registration, examination, and administrative fees. To support these costs, we ask parents to contribute a fee. Indicative costs for the IB Diploma are outlined in the Fee Schedules, available at Fees and Business Notices.