School Curricula Guides

IB DP

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) is a two-year educational programme primarily aimed at students aged 16–19.
IB DP
Country of Origin: Switzerland
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The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is an assessed programme for students aged 16 to 19. It is respected by leading universities across the globe.

Through the DP, schools are able to develop students who:

  • have excellent breadth and depth of knowledge
  • flourish physically, intellectually, emotionally and ethically
  • study at least two languages
  • excel in traditional academic subjects
  • explore the nature of knowledge through the programme’s unique theory of knowledge course.

The IB makes the claim that:

"DP students are better able than their peers to cope with demanding workloads, manage their time and meet the expectations placed on them, according to one study".

No evidence is presented in this regard - at least on the IB web site or that we could find, however there is no doubt with more subjects studied over a shorter period of time than its peer, the A' Level, IB students do need to plan their time very, very effectively.

The DP is preceded by the IB’s Primary Years Programme (PYP) and Middle Years Programme (MYP).

"The three programmes are philosophically aligned, each centred on developing attributes of the IB learner profile. The programmes are consistent in their pedagogical approach."

Despite this many schools follow the IB at Diploma level do not follow the IB MYP - but instead opt for GCSE.

There are a number of reasons for this. IB requires strong teachers - it is almost entirely dependant on what your school and teachers put into it compared to the GCSE which is considerably more perscriptive in terms of syllabus and methodologies of delivery. Most importantly however there is no paper-based assesment - the MYP does not end in a recognized qualification, while GCSE does. 

In fact for some universities internationally, including the US, GCSE is sufficient for entrance, while the IB MYP would not be. 

At least partially because of this many international schools opt for the GCSE up to 16 and then the IB DP from post 16 education.

57 UAE Schools offering IB DP

School name Community City
Abu Dhabi International School MBZ branch Mohammed Bin Zayed City Abu Dhabi
Al Najah Private School Mohammed Bin Zayed City Abu Dhabi
Ambassador International Academy Al Quoz Dubai
American Community School Abu Dhabi Khalidiya Abu Dhabi
American Gulf School Sharjah Al Rahmaniyah Sharjah
American International School Abu Dhabi Al Reehan Abu Dhabi
Aspen Heights British School Al Bahya Abu Dhabi
Australian International School Dubai Al Barsha South Dubai
Australian International School Sharjah Muweileh Sharjah
Australian School of Abu Dhabi Shakhbout City Abu Dhabi
Bateen World Academy Al Manaseer Abu Dhabi
Bloom World Academy Dubai Al Barsha South Dubai
British International School Abu Dhabi Shakhbout City Abu Dhabi
Clarion School Al Quoz Dubai
Collegiate International School Umm Suqeim 2 Dubai
Dar Al Marefa Mirdif Dubai
Deira International School Festival City Dubai
Dubai International Academy Al Barsha Al Barsha 1 Dubai
Dubai International Academy Emirates Hills Emirates Hills Dubai
Dunecrest American School Al Barari Dubai
Dwight School Dubai Dubai Sports City Dubai
Emirates International School Jumeirah Umm Suqeim Dubai
Emirates International School Meadows The Meadows Dubai
Emirates National Schools Al Ain Towaya Abu Dhabi
Emirates National Schools Al Nahyan (Secondary) Al Nahyan Abu Dhabi
Emirates National Schools Mohammed Bin Zayed City Mohammed Bin Zayed City Abu Dhabi
Emirates National Schools Sharjah Al Rahmaniyah Sharjah
Fairgreen International School The Sustainable City Dubai Dubai
GEMS American Academy Khalifa City A Abu Dhabi
GEMS Dubai American Academy Al Barsha Dubai
GEMS International School Al Khail Dubai Hills Estate Dubai
GEMS Modern Academy Nad al Sheba Dubai
GEMS Wellington Academy, Dubai Silicon Oasis Dubai Silicon Oasis Dubai
GEMS Wellington International School, Dubai Al Sufouh Dubai
GEMS World Academy Abu Dhabi Al Reem Island Abu Dhabi
GEMS World Academy Dubai Al Barsha Dubai
German International School Sharjah Al Abar Sharjah
Greenfield International School Dubai Investments Park Dubai
International Community School Mushrif Al Mushrif Abu Dhabi
International Concept for Education Meydan Dubai
Italian International School Abu Dhabi Khalifa City A Abu Dhabi
Jumeira Baccalaureate School Jumeirah 1 Dubai
Jumeirah English Speaking School Arabian Ranches Arabian Ranches Dubai
King's InterHigh School Airport Road Dubai
Nord Anglia International School Dubai Al Barsha Dubai
North London Collegiate School Dubai Sobha Hartland Dubai
Raffles World Academy Umm Suqeim Dubai
Raha International School, Gardens, Abu Dhabi Khalifa City A Abu Dhabi
Raha International School, Khalifa City Khalifa City Abu Dhabi
RAK Academy Dafan Al Khor Ras al-Khaimah
Repton School Dubai Nad al Sheba Dubai
Sunmarke School Jumeirah Village Triangle Dubai
Swiss International Scientific School Dubai Dubai Healthcare City Phase 2 Dubai
Towheed Iranian Boys School Al Quoz Dubai
Universal American School Festival City Dubai
Uptown International School Mirdif Dubai
Victoria International School Al Taawun Sharjah

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