Launched in January 2017 by Sunway International School (SIS) as a different university pathway for students, it has been the world’s fastest-growing university preparation programme over the past decade. It is currently one of the most widely recognised qualifications for admissions into the world’s top-tiered universities.  

Described as a balanced pre-university programme, it is a comprehensive two-year programme in which students’ learning and progress are assessed through school-based coursework and final examinations set by the IB.

IB LEARNER PROFILE

Central to all IB programmes, the IB Learner Profile presents the educational mission of IB as a set of learner or graduate attributes that are important for life and learning in the 21st century.  

SIS students can progress smoothly from Grade 10 into IBDP due to the IB Learner Profile attributes aligning well with Ontario's high school curriculum expectations, thus shortening their secondary pathway or duration of study toward an IB Diploma qualification.

The IB Learner Profile develops learners to be:

• Inquirers
  
• Knowledgeable  
• Thinkers 
• Communicators 
• Principled  
  
• Open-minded  
• Caring  
• Risk-takers  
• Balanced  
• Reflective 

CORE ELEMENTS

THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE (TOK)

TOK is central to the philosophy of the IB Diploma Programme. It offers students the opportunity to reflect critically on diverse ways of knowing and to consider the role of knowledge in their culture and the culture of others. It encourages the stimulation of critical awareness of bases of knowledge, experiences, and judgment in human thought and creativity.

EXTENDED ESSAY (EE) 

Universities attach great importance to the Extended Essay because it provides practical preparation for undergraduate research and academic writing that are required in higher education. Each student is required to select and investigate a topic of special interest and then write a 4000 words essay. An emphasis is also placed on the research process, personal engagement in the exploration of the topic, and the development and communication of ideas.

CREATIVITY, ACTIVITY, SERVICE (CAS)

Designed to complement the academic rigours of the IBDP and universities, it is attached to great importance to students’ participation in CAS. Students must demonstrate a continuous engagement in extra-curricular, evenly balanced creative, athletic, and community service activities.

SUBJECTS 

ASESSMENTS AND EVALUATIONS 

Students' work are assessed by the IB as direct evidence of achievement against the stated goals of the DP courses. In addition to academic skills, DP assessment encourages an international outlook and intercultural skills, wherever appropriate.  

Assessments are employed both internally and externally:

Internal Assessment

Student’s work are assessed by teachers including projects, independent research, analysis, writing and more. Teachers will offer guidance, as appropriate, but internal assessments are still marked externally by the IB. Teacher assessments happen in most courses, and they include:

• Oral work in languages  
• Laboratory work in the sciences  
• Investigations in mathematics  
• Artistic performances (if relevant to course)  
• Fieldwork (if relevant to course) 

External Assessment 

Examinations form the basis of assessment for most courses because of their high levels of objectivity and reliability. They include: 

• Essays  
• Structured problems  
• Data-response questions  
• Text-response questions  
• Case-study questions  
• Multiple-choice questions 

IBDP students at SIS will take their final examinations at the end of Year 2 during the October/November examinations. As required by IB, SIS students will take the same exam papers as the rest of the world which will be marked by the same external marking team worldwide. 

GRADING SYSTEM

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Below acts as a general guideline and may differ on a case-by-case basis.  

• Completion of SPM, IGCSE, O Levels, OSSD Grade 10, or equivalent 
• Readiness assessment in English and Mathematics  
• Appropriate school age (16-19 years old)  
• Interview(s)