The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) is the International Diploma, awarded by the International Baccalaureate Organization. It is recognized as equivalent to the diploma issued by Greek upper secondary schools (Lykeio), under Government Gazette 156 A’ (Law 2327/1995, article 10, paragraph 23). It is an internationally recognized educational programme aimed at students who intend to continue their studies at universities abroad. The IB Diploma Programme lasts two years and is intended for students who have completed the first year of Lykeio. Even so, it does not guarantee students access to Greek universities.

What Is the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO)?

The International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) is a non profit educational organization, founded in 1968 in Geneva, Switzerland. Its goal is to provide a comprehensive educational programme for students aged 3 to 19, fostering their intellectual, social, and emotional development. The organization’s ultimate aim is to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To achieve this, it works with schools, governments, and international organizations to develop demanding programmes of international education, training, and assessment.

The IB Diploma Programme: A Closer Look

The IB Diploma Programme curriculum is taught in English and consists of the core, which is compulsory for all students, along with six subject groups:

Native Language and Literature
Foreign Languages
Humanities
Natural Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Science)
Mathematics
The Arts

Students must choose six subjects in total, one from each of the first five groups and one additional subject from any group. Three or four subjects must be taken at Higher Level (HL), while the rest are taken at Standard Level (SL). The core includes the Theory of Knowledge (TOK) coursework, the 4,000 word Extended Essay, and participation in Creativity, Activity, and Service projects (CAS).

The IB Educational Programmes

The IB offers four main educational programmes:

Primary Years Programme (PYP): for students aged 3 to 12.
Middle Years Programme (MYP): for students aged 11 to 16, that is, from Gymnasio through the first year of Lykeio.
Diploma Programme (DP): for students aged 16 to 19, that is, the second and third years of Lykeio.
Career-related Programme (CP): focused on the career orientation of students aged 16 to 19.

More than 1,400,000 students in 158 countries follow IB programmes in over 5,300 public and private schools. Schools that offer IB programmes must be authorized by the organization and are reviewed every five years.

Assessment and Examinations

Each subject a student takes is graded on a scale where 7 is the top mark, with the maximum for the six subjects reaching 42. In addition, up to 3 points can be earned from the Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and the Extended Essay, bringing the maximum total score to 45 points. Participation in the CAS project is compulsory but is not graded. Assessment is carried out both through coursework and through written and oral examinations across the two years. To earn the IB Diploma, a student must accumulate at least 24 points. The international written examinations take place at the end of the two years, twice a year, in May and November, and students are examined in their chosen subjects.

University Recognition of the IB Diploma

The IB Diploma is recognized by leading universities around the world. Each year, graduates of the IB Diploma Programme apply for admission to more than 3,300 higher education institutions in roughly 90 countries. Some of the most renowned universities that accept IB graduates include Cambridge, Harvard, Oxford, and University College London (UCL). However, admission criteria vary from one university to another and may include additional requirements, such as specific minimum scores, English certification (IELTS, TOEFL), or other examinations (SAT, ACT).