IB
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
The IB Diploma Programme (DP) is a pre-university programme for students aged 16 to 19 at IB-authorized schools. Students take six subjects, at least three and at most four at higher level (HL) and the rest at standard level (SL), plus the DP core: theory of knowledge (TOK), the extended essay and creativity, activity, service (CAS). Each subject is graded 1–7, TOK and the extended essay add up to 3 points, and the diploma needs at least 24 points with the core completed. Most courses end with written exams in the May or November session, alongside coursework; the IB began digital exams in a small number of subjects in 2026. Each university sets its own IB requirements, and the IB notes that a published recognition policy does not guarantee admission.
Frequency
Two exam sessions a year, May and November (your school’s session applies)
Duration
Six subjects (150 teaching hours at standard level, 240 at higher level) plus the DP core; most courses end with written exams
Format
Computer or paper
Score range
Grades 1–7 in each of six subjects, plus up to 3 points for theory of knowledge and the extended essay (45 points maximum). The diploma requires at least 24 points and completion of the core.
Eligibility
Open to students aged 16 to 19 at schools authorized to offer the Diploma Programme
Conducting body
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Source: International Baccalaureate (IB). Details here are for guidance only — fees, dates and eligibility change each cycle, so confirm on the official site before applying.
Verified against: IB — Diploma Programme (students aged 16 to 19 at authorized schools); IB — DP curriculum (six subject groups; 3–4 HL; 150/240 teaching hours; DP core); IB — understanding DP assessment (grades 1–7; 24-point diploma; up to 3 core points); IB — DP and CP exam schedule (May and November sessions); IB — assessment and exams (paper and digital exams from 2026); IB — university admissions (recognition policies do not guarantee admission); University of Oxford — international qualifications (International Baccalaureate); University of Cambridge — accepted qualifications (IB Diploma, points out of 45); Imperial College London — accepted qualifications (International Baccalaureate); UCL — entry requirements (full IB Diploma accepted); LSE — entry requirements (A-levels and IB); University of Toronto — requirements for international high schools (IB Diploma); McGill — International Baccalaureate Diploma requirements; ETH Zurich — admission prerequisites (International Baccalaureate); Harvard College — application requirements (IB); MIT Admissions — tests and scores (self-report IB); Yale — standardized testing (AP or IB scores); Stanford — first-year testing (IB predicted marks); Princeton — standardized testing (self-report IB); Columbia — testing (IB results); Caltech — first-year application requirements (AP/IB scores); University of Edinburgh — entry requirements (International Baccalaureate); University of St Andrews — standard qualifications accepted (IB).
Last verified: 30 September 2026.
Universities that accept IB
Acceptance can differ by level and programme — confirm on the programme’s own page.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Harvard University
Stanford University
California Institute of Technology
Princeton University
Yale University
Columbia University
University of Toronto
McGill University
University of Oxford
University of Cambridge
Imperial College London
University College London
London School of Economics and Political Science
University of Edinburgh
University of St Andrews
ETH Zürich
Related / Next steps
Guides that cover the IB
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Using the International Baccalaureate to Apply to UK and Irish Universities
How IB Diploma points, Higher Level subjects and core requirements convert into UK and Irish university offers — verify each course's exact requirement.
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How to Report Course Rigor and School Context to Colleges
How US admissions reads course rigor 'in the context of your school' — the school profile, the counselor's School Report, and taking the most challenging schedule you can.
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How to Choose UK University Courses
In the UK you apply to a specific course, not just a university. This guide shows how to shortlist courses by content, entry requirements, location, and fit.
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CAO Application Process for Ireland Explained
The Central Applications Office (CAO) in Ireland — what it is, how the points system works for undergraduate offers, and how international (non-EU) applicants apply.
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UCAS Points and Tariff Explained
A plain-English guide to the UCAS Tariff — how A-levels, the International Baccalaureate, BTECs, and other qualifications convert into UCAS points, and why you should check the official tariff calculator before relying on a number.
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Predicted Grades and References Explained
What predicted grades and the academic reference are in a UK undergraduate UCAS application, who provides them, and how they shape conditional offers.
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How to Get Into Oxford or Cambridge
The Oxbridge admissions process explained — the earlier October UCAS deadline, why you normally apply to only one of the two in a cycle, admissions tests, submitted work, interviews, and choosing a college.
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