Subject Guide

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE IB DIPLOMA PROGRAMME 1. Why should Somerset offer the IB Diploma Programme?

The IB Diploma is a valuable and well-rounded senior (Years 11 and 12) course. It adds depth and breadth to a student’s knowledge and through the reflective processes of the Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Creativity + Activity + Service (CAS) and Extended Essay (EE), gives added relevance to a student’s work. It is also an excellent preparation for further study at tertiary level. 2. What added advantage would the IB Diploma Programme give as regards tertiary study? If a student were contemplating tertiary study overseas, the IB Diploma would be useful. Melbourne University, Monash University, the Australian National University, Newcastle University, Griffith University, the Queensland University of Technology, the University of Queensland and Bond University have acknowledged the value of the IB Diploma as a pre-eminent university qualification and all have special allocations for subjects in the Diploma. Increasingly, universities in Australia accept students solely on the basis of their IB Diploma results. The IB Diploma is an internationally recognised qualification, hence overseas universities consider IB Diploma results directly when offering enrolments. 3. How will the IB Diploma Programme be offered? We offer some IB Diploma as separate classes to the QCE classes with few exceptions. This is the case with large student number subjects such as English, Mathematics, Chemistry and Biology. The small groups will still be composite QCE/IB Diploma classes. 4. Will the IB Diploma Programme cost me anything? Enrolment into the IB Diploma Programme is optional and therefore incurs an additional cost to annual College fees. The largest amount payable by Year 12 students mid-2020 will be approximately Singapore $1,050 (approximately AUD $1,020). This is for the full Diploma, and is an estimate only as the IB adjusts its fees slightly each year. Please note that the IB Diploma Programme has two enrolment/registration and payment sessions per year, being the May session for ab initio Italian (Certificate or Diploma students), and the November session for all remaining Diploma student subjects. 5. How difficult is it to do? The IB Diploma is rewarding and gives an added dimension to a student’s final two years of schooling. I would advise self-motivated, organised, hard-working, but not necessarily only high achieving students, to contemplate the benefits of the IB Diploma. Evidence shows that mid-range students do well in the IB Diploma Programme. 6. Results in the IB Diploma Programme At Somerset your student can expect to excel in the IB Diploma Programme. Somerset is the most experienced IB Diploma school in Queensland. 7. If I need more clarity in order to make a choice between the IB Diploma Programme and the QCAA course what should I do? • Attend the IB Diploma Programme Information Evening on Monday 10 June 2019

• Talk to Mr Stephen Walther, IB Diploma Programme Coordinator, or Mrs Karen Crowley, Dean of Studies.

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