DP (Ages 16-19)

The DP is a comprehensive and balanced two-year curriculum and assessment system that requires students to study six subjects and core components across all disciplines. Within this structured framework, the DP provides a great deal of flexibility, accommodating student interests and abilities. Through careful subject selection, students may tailor their course of studies to meet their needs.

Regardless of the subject selection, all students explore the connections between the six major subject areas, study each subject through an international perspective, reflect critically on aspects of knowledge, pursue one subject in great detail through independent research, and have the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills through local and community service.

The assessment of student achievements happens in a variety of ways throughout the course of the two-year programme. It includes the assessment of student work both by external examiners as well as the students’ own teachers. Internal or teacher assessment normally contributes between 20% and 30% of the subject assessment, but can account for as much as 50% in some of the arts courses. The assessment itself undergoes careful review and moderation to ensure that a common standard is applied equally to the work of all students internationally. All students’ work, regardless of which school they attended, are subjects to the same assessment principles.

The IB Diploma is widely recognized by colleges and universities around the world as superior preparation for students to succeed at post-secondary institutions.

The answer to this question depends greatly on the student’s performance in the DP and their post-secondary aspirations. Literally thousands of higher education institutions have published polices recognizing the DP—however, most also have minimum entry requirements. In some cases, the courses students select while in the DP can have nearly as much impact as their overall performance.

However, evidence does show that DP students tend to go on to tertiary study at higher rates than their peers, are admitted more often to selective institutions, and tend to perform better in their post-secondary studies, including higher rates of post-secondary completion.

International Baccalaureate (IB) students undertake one of the most challenging education programmes available to them. They are ambitious, and well-prepared for success; in further study, and in life beyond.

By studying in the IB, students develop core skills for success at university, such as (yet not limited to): 

• an understanding of and appreciation for research

• presentation and communication skills

• critical thinking skills

• report writing skills

• a sense of international mindedness and cultural understanding

• time management skills.

IB graduates enter university with a firm foundation for their degree program – not just academically, but with excellent self-sufficiency and resilience.

Each year, over 5,000 universities in more than 100 countries receive IB students’ admission applications and transcripts. 

IB graduates are self-motivated leaders, who can contribute to a university’s overall academic standing and internationalization strategy. To ensure universities attract IB students, they recognize the IB DP, DP courses, CP certificates, and MYP certificates (where applicable).

The IB is currently working on an online database that contains recognition policies from universities worldwide. The IB aims to launch this new resource in 2022. Please reach out to universities you or your student are interested in to find out how they recognize IB programmes. 

Local and national governments around the world recognize that the IB programmes offer internationally accredited curricula and qualifications. The degree of recognition of IB programmes varies from country to country. 

The International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) is recognized and respected by the world’s leading universities, and evidence suggests that higher rates of DP students go on to university and higher education study than non-IB students. 

DP students apply to more than 3,300 higher education institutions each year, in close to 90 countries.

The most popular of these institutions are ranked among the top universities in the world.

The IB recognition resource and document library has testimonials from universities working with DP students, and our research pages look in detail at the performance of DP students, including comparisons with other students.

Research suggests that the DP is a strong pathway to university – the impact of studying the DP on admission to university and higher education depends on each student’s performance.

The IB has answered frequently asked questions about the DP and admission to university.

There is information relevant to students, universities and parents, covering questions like:

• How do DP scores equate to other qualifications?

• How is the DP different from other pre-university academic programmes?

The DP focuses on rigorous academic study, within a broad and balanced curriculum, which can prepare students well for employment.

Students in the DP also have the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills to community service, gaining valuable experience outside the academic world.

All Egyptian Universities accept holders of the IB diploma.

Colleges within each university require certain subjects within the IB diploma.

For example:

Faculties of Medicine require: Higher Level Biology and Chemistry
Faculty of Engineering, IT, Architecture, Faculty of Applied Arts require: Higher Level Maths & Physics and Standard Level Chemistry 
*Rules may differ in universities that do not follow the Egyptian Supreme Council of Education.

Test Required:

• IELTS (English Test); taken at school in agreement with the British Council

DP assessment procedures measure the extent to which students have mastered advanced academic skills in fulfilling these goals, for example:

• analyzing and presenting information

• evaluating and constructing arguments

• solving problems creatively.

Basic skills are also assessed, including:

• retaining knowledge

• understanding key concepts

• applying standard methods. 

In addition to academic skills, DP assessment encourages an international outlook and intercultural skills, wherever appropriate.

Student results are determined by performance against set standards, not by each student's position in the overall rank order.

The IB uses both external and internal assessment in the DP.

External assessment

Examinations form the basis of the assessment for most courses. This is because of their high levels of objectivity and reliability.

They include:

• essays

• structured problems

• short-response questions

• data-response questions

• text-response questions

• case-study questions

• multiple-choice questions – though these are rarely used. 

Internal assessment

Teacher assessment is also used for most courses. This includes:

• oral work in languages

• fieldwork in geography

• laboratory work in the sciences

• investigations in mathematics

• artistic performances.

Read further information on understanding DP assessment.