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IB Diploma

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

The IB Diploma is the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, a school course for students aged 16 to 19 that is scored out of 45 points.

Updated 19 October 2026 (1 minute read)

Summary

  • The programme is taught to students aged 16 to 19 in schools around the world. The IBO, the body behind the International Baccalaureate, sets it.
  • Students study six subject groups alongside a core of theory of knowledge, the extended essay and CAS, which stands for creativity, activity and service.
  • Each subject is graded from 1 to 7. The highest possible total is 45 points, made up of six subjects at 7 plus up to three points from theory of knowledge and the extended essay.
  • UK medical schools accept the IB. KCL lists it among the qualifications it accepts for medicine.
  • Hong Kong applicants with international qualifications apply through the non JUPAS route. CUHK asks applicants holding international or other qualifications to apply through its Non JUPAS Local Admissions Scheme.

Sources

  1. ibo.orgibo.org/…/diploma-programme
  2. ibo.orgibo.org/…/dp-passing-criteria
  3. kcl.ac.ukkcl.ac.uk/…/entry-requirements
  4. CUHK Undergraduate Admissionsadmission.cuhk.edu.hk/…/non-jupas

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Related

IB vs HKDSE The IB Diploma is an international school programme, and the HKDSE is Hong Kong's school leaving exam, run by the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority. JUPAS JUPAS, the Joint University Programmes Admissions System, is the main route for applying to university in Hong Kong. JUPAS vs non JUPAS JUPAS is for applicants using current HKDSE results. Non JUPAS is for everyone else, such as applicants with the IB, A levels or past HKDSE results, who apply directly to each university. HKDSE The HKDSE, the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education, is the exam Hong Kong students take at the end of six years of secondary school.

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