IB Diploma

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) is an academically challenging and balanced educational programme for 16 to 19-year-olds that seeks to develop intellectual, social, emotional and physical well-being.  

The DP is one of four courses offered by the IB Organization. It is widely regarded as a high-quality, challenging educational programme well-suited to a worldwide community of schools aiming to create a better, more peaceful world. The aim of the IB is to provide students with values, opportunities and experiences that enable them to contribute to a global community. 

This 2-year programme values critical-thinking abilities and creativity in analysis, enabling a comprehensive learning experience with a strong physical, intellectual, emotional and ethical component. Students undertake 6 optional subjects and 3 compulsory subjects to form a personalised course suited to their interests and future aspirations. 

Why study the IB at our school?

St. Peter’s is proud to offer our students a unique opportunity to immerse in a multicultural educational context. To stimulate our students’ curiosity, deepen their academic knowledge and nurture their humanitarian spirit, St. Peter’s offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, which is taught in English. This international path provides our students with the necessary preparation for higher education and for their professional careers in Portugal and abroad. 

The IB Diploma Programme (DP) is delivered by the International Baccalaureate Organization and is provided at our school as an exceptional international equivalent to Portuguese secondary education.

IBDP pathway for success

Preparation for Success

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Excellent IB Results

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Unique IB Curriculum

Benefits of the IBDP

The IB Diploma Programme option offers a number of benefits for senior students seeking a globally-accepted course. At our school, graduates gain a senior education that encourages them to understand the world around them. The course prompts participants to ask questions and examine subject material using evaluation techniques and critical analysis.

To this end, the IB DP supports learners in the final stage of their schooling by offering a framework in which they can acquire and comprehend subjects in a more profound way. During the course, students understand the importance of knowledge more comprehensively and can apply it beyond the school environment.

IB diploma best choice
 

IBDP Course Content & Organisation

IB Diploma students study subjects spanning a variety of areas, including at least two languages, traditional academic disciplines such as Mathematics, Experimental Sciences, Individuals & Societies and the Arts.

The programme also includes three additional core areas: Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) and Extended Essay (EE).

Students must complete 6 subjects and the 3 core elements (TOK, CAS, EE): At the start of the DP, Students will choose six subjects; three at Higher Level (HL) and three at Standard Level (SL).Students will be required to choose one subject from Groups 1, 2 and 5. They will have the option to take one or two subjects from Groups 3 and 4, studying a total of six subjects. In addition, students will attend Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Creativity Activity, Service (CAS) sessions, while also working on the Extended Essay (EE).

This way students will have the opportunity to explore some subjects in depth and others from broader perspective. Ultimately, students must have achieved a minimum total of 24 out of 45 points in order to successfully complete the DP programme.

IBDP Entry Requirements

IB students who have previously completed the IB Primary or Middle Years Programme may transfer from one IB school to another. We accept new learners with prior experience in these programmes, or other education systems equivalent to the St. Peter’s Middle School courses. Additional entry  requirements include an English language evaluation and satisfactory school reports.

The first year of the two-year DP course must be completed at our school.

IBDP Subjects

IB Diploma Programme subjects cover a variety of areas, including the study of at least two languages, traditional academic subjects, including Mathematics and Experimental Sciences, in addition to Humanities courses, including Individuals & Societies and Art as options.

To obtain the IB Diploma certification, entrants must complete 6 subjects, an additional language element and the 3 compulsory core elements.

The subjects currently being offered at St. Peter’s School are:

• Portuguese Literature A (SL/HL) 

• English Language and Literature A (SL/HL) 

• Chinese Literature A (SL/HL)

• English B (SL/HL) 

• Portuguese B (SL/HL) 

• Spanish ab initio (SL only) 
 

• Economics (SL/HL) 

• History (SL/HL) 

• Business Management (SL/HL) 

• Environmental Systems & Societies (SL only) 

• Biology (SL/HL) 

• Chemistry (SL/HL) 

• Physics (SL/HL) 

• Environmental Systems & Societies (SL only) 

• Computer Science (SL/HL) 

• Mathematics: Applications and interpretation (SL only) 

• Mathematics: Analysis and approaches (SL/HL) 
 

• Visual Arts 

international baccalaureate programme in Setubal

IB Teachers

Our IBDP teaching team are passionate, dedicated subject specialists who engage students in the learning process throughout the two-year course. They offer an individualized learning approach and aim to ensure every young learner meets their course targets. Aside from helping our students attain course objectives through interactive and informed lessons, IB Diploma teachers also seek to ensure they support students throughout the revision and examination process, making the journey to success as stress-free as possible.

IBDP or Portuguese National Diploma?

IBDP education, which equates to Portuguese secondary education, was designed to incorporate elements of various educational systems to form a robust pre-university course, without being based on any particular system. As such, it qualifies IBDP graduates for university study across the world.

 

IB Diploma Evaluation

Internal Assessment

Some student work is assessed by their IB teachers over the duration of the course. This procedure is part of the Internal Assessment component in which teachers mark individual pieces of work. This grade counts as a percentage of the student’s overall IB score.


Mock Exams

Over the course of the two years of the Diploma Programme, students will undergo Mock Exams. This type of assessment will include all the written examination papers for all the subjects and will be carried out in exam conditions. The purpose of these exams is to acquaint students with exam procedures and regulations as well as help students assess their knowledge and, as a result, construct an effective revision plan.


Predicted Grades

The Predicted Grade (PG) is the teacher’s prediction of the grade the candidate is expected to achieve in the subject taught. The grade is estimated in accordance with all of the evidence of the candidate’s work and the teacher’s knowledge of the IB standards and criteria.


External Assessment

External Assessment refers to work that is conducted and orientated by teachers and then graded externally by examiners. End-of-course exams are the main instruments of external assessment, but this also includes work such as the Extended Essay and the TOK essay.

To achieve the IB Diploma, there are several requirements, outlined in the IB Guide. Among other requirements, we highlight the following:

  • Failure to comply with the requirements for CAS
  • A total score lower than 24 points
  • Obtaining grade N in any subject
  • Obtaining grade E in Theory of Knowledge or Extended Essay
  • Achieving grade 1 in any subject or level
  • Obtaining grade 2 in three or more subjects (SL or HL)
  • Achieving grade 3 or lower in four or more subjects (SL or HL)
  • Achieving 12 points or lower in the HL subjects (for candidates who enrolled in four HL subjects, the top three results will be considered)
  • Achieving 9 points or lower in SL subjects (for candidates who have enrolled in two SL disciplines, they must obtain at least 5 SL points)

IB Diploma Uses

The IB Diploma offers an international qualification for entry to Higher Education and is recognised by the world's leading institutions.

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