Menu
close

inquire

logo

INQUIRE

INQUIRE

AISVN was authorized to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) beginning in August 2010.

ABOUT THE IB DIPLOMA PROGRAMME

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) is a rigorous, holistic, two-year course of study for students in grades 11 and 12.

The IB DP is widely regarded as the best pre-university course that is offered anywhere in the world. No other qualification is recognized by so many institutions in different countries and no other programme prepares the student better for tertiary education and the world of work.

IB DP students are encouraged to think independently and drive their own learning. They are able to engage with people in an increasingly globalized, rapidly changing world. They are strong in academic, social and emotional characteristics and are likely to perform well academically – often better than students in other programmes. Finally, they are likely to enroll at top universities.

The character education of IB DP students is based around the development of the ten IB Learner Profile attributes, which are intended to inspire, motivate and focus the work of schools and teachers, uniting them in a common purpose. More information about the IB Learner Profile can be found here.

The IB DP is designed as a pre-university programme for students aged 16 to 19 years old. It is unique in that it is based on no particular national education system but is a deliberate balance between the breadth and the specialization which is required by some countries’ national systems. There are a wide range of courses designed to meet the interests and requirements of different students. In addition to six academic subjects, the IB DP includes the Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) programme, which focuses on helping students develop balance in their lives by engaging in and reflecting on co-curricular activities; the Extended Essay, a 4000 research paper on a topic of the students’ choice; and the Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course, which focuses on metacognition and critical thinking. Together, these components offer IB DP students experiences and skills they will not find in other programs.

All IB programmes encourage international mindedness, an understanding of global issues and a concern for others in our community and the broader world. The IB believes that students must develop an understanding of their own cultural and national identity while also engaging with issues of global significance. Thus, all IB DP students study a minimum of two languages. Through the IB DP, students develop the skills to live and work in an international context which is essential for life in the 21st century. The IB DP provides a balanced education for the whole student and provides excellent preparation for both university and adult life.

Universities prefer IB DP graduates because the DP curriculum develops a balanced variety of skills. DP graduates, with the range of subjects they have studied, have a greater choice of undergraduate programmes. Employers, too, are increasingly looking for flexibility and adaptability, which is something all DP graduates are able to offer.

Further information can be found on the IB website www.ibo.org.

IB LEARNER PROFILE

The IB Learner Profile provides a long-term vision of education. It is a set of ideals that can inspire, motivate and focus the work of schools and teachers, uniting them in a common purpose.

THE IB DP CURRICULUM

Students taking the full IB Diploma Programme choose six subjects, one from each of the six subject groups.
Three subjects are studied at Higher Level (240 hours over two years) and three are studied at Standard Level (150 hours over two years).

All full DP students also:

  • Take the Theory of Knowledge, or TOK course
  • Complete all requirements for CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service), a programme through which they engage with and reflect on extra-curricular activities.
  • Write a 4,000 word Extended Essay on a topic of their choice, under the guidance of a teacher supervisor.

Students who do not wish to take the full IB DP may choose to take DP Courses. Students taking DP Courses may take a minimum of two and a maximum of six DP subjects, as well as the TOK course. In grade 11 and 12, English and Math MUST be taken as DP Courses. DP Courses students will also complete the Service portion of CAS to fulfill AISVN’ service learning graduation requirements.

Below is the programme model for the IB Diploma Programme:

The IB Diploma Programme, 2017

The IB DP at AISVN

Below is a summary of the subject choices offered for Grade 11 in school year 2019-2020. One subject should be chosen from each group and no subject can be selected twice.
1. Studies in Language and Literature
  • English A
  • Vietnamese A
  • School supported self-taught language A (for students whose mother tongue is not English or Vietnamese)
2. Language Acquisition
  • English B
  • Mandarin ab initio
3. Individual and Societies
  • Economics
  • World History
  • Geography
  • Environmental Systems and Societies
4. Science
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Environmental Systems and Societies
  • Physics
5. Mathematics
  • Mathematics: Applications and interpretations
  • Mathematics: Analysis and approaches
6. Arts
  • Visual Arts
  • Theatre
  • Music
7. Core
Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Extended Essay (EE), Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS)

Enrolling in the IB DP

Students wishing to enter the full IB DP must demonstrate good academic and self-management skills. Students should have a minimum 3.0 GPA and a grade of at least a B in English and Math in grade 10. We rely on recommendations from grade 10 teachers when deciding whether a student is suitable for the full IB DP. Finally, we consult students’ grade 10 PSAT and MAP test scores.

Expectations of IB DP Students

IB DP students must meet deadlines for all parts of the DP: internal and external assessments for all subjects, CAS documentation and reflections, EE deadlines, and the TOK presentation and essay.

IB DP students are expected to have a high standard of personal behavior and responsibility. They are expected to be exemplary in terms of following ethical standards, especially relating to academic honesty.

The IB DP is very rigorous, so students should be prepared to work hard! It is common to have 2-3 hours of homework most nights, and students are expected to review independently in addition to completing normal work, usually around 2-3 hours per week. Students also may be expected to work on DP assignments during school holidays.

Since the IB DP requires a two-year commitment, students must enter the programme with the full intention to complete the two-year course of study.

Further details about the IB Diploma Programme at AISVN can be obtained from our IB DP Coordinator Ms. Elizabeth Tinnon (elizabeth.tinnon@ais.edu.vn).

downloadcrossmenu