Skip to main content
Find a school

November 2023 IB Diploma and Career-Related Programmes results released.

January 4, 2024

The wait for end of school results is over for three thousand Australasian students!

On January 3, 2,646 students in Australia, 404 students in New Zealand, together with 20,385 students worldwide received their Diploma Programme (DP) and Career-related Programme (CP) results from the November 2023 examination session. This marks a 12.18% increase in the number of students receiving DP and CP results from last year. In the May 2023 examination session a further 179,922 students completed the DP and CP.

With a global average DP score for the November 2023 session of 29.06 points, today’s IB graduates join a community of more than 2.3 million alumni and lifelong learners across 160 countries worldwide. The Australian average score was 34.53 points and the New Zealand average was 33.38. The world-wide award rate of the Diploma was 71.93%, 94.61% for Australia and 92.57% for New Zealand. There were 514 students in Australia and 68 in New Zealand that received results of 40 or above.

IB students and IB World Schools are diverse and have varying contexts, socioeconomic positions, and cohort sizes. Additionally, IB students’ individual achievements go far beyond their assessment scores. Given these considerations and the long-term impact of the pandemic as well as other global challenges, the IB has decided to refrain from sharing any additional assessment data to prevent generalized comparisons. The IB is equally proud of all students and the accomplishments they achieve during their two-year DP or CP journey. IB Schools Australasia supports this approach. Neither the IB nor IBSA provides data that will enable rankings as this is counter to the mission of both. 

University Entrance

In Australia, IB Diploma graduate results are converted to an IB Admissions Score (IBAS), which is an Australian Tertiary Assessment Rank (ATAR) equivalent. The IBAS and ATAR are calculated by the Australian Council of Tertiary Admissions Centres (ACTAC), an independent body acting on behalf of Australian Tertiary Admissions Centres (NSW UAC, VTAC, SATAC, QTAC and WISC) to ensure a fair comparison between IB Diploma results and the state-based qualifications (NSW HSC, VCE, SACE etc)

Information regarding the calculation and distribution of the IBAS in NSW is found here.

Information regarding the calculation and distribution of the IBAS in Victoria is found here.

Information regarding the calculation and distribution of the IBAS in Queensland is found here.

Information regarding the calculation and distribution of the IBAS in South Australia is found here

Information regarding the calculation and distribution of the IBAS in Western Australia is found here. 

In New Zealand, as with the rest of the world, the IB Diploma is accepted as a direct entry qualification to universities

For the November 2023 examination session, DP and CP students completed all assessment components for each subject and the IB awarded grades using all components, coursework and examinations.  Learn more about the November 2023 examination session here.

About IB Programmes

The Diploma Programme (DP) gives students world-class preparation for university and a lifetime of opportunity. It is a comprehensive inquiry-based education that puts students in control of their learning, so they can develop superior academic ability, confidence, critical-thinking and language skills. This rigorous framework is recognized and respected by the world’s leading universities and aims to support the whole student to flourish physically, intellectually, emotionally and ethically. Hear the story of IB DP Australian Alumnus, Samantha Nixon.   Hear more from other IB DP alumni.

The Career-related Programme (CP) is specifically designed for students aged 16–19 who wish to engage in career-related learning, while also continuing to gain lifelong skills such as confidence, social responsibility and a sense of purpose. The CP is an innovative blend of academic study and career development that incorporates the vision and educational principles of the IB into a unique programme. Hear more from IB CP alumni.

In addition to the Diploma and Career-related programmes, thousands of other Australasian students study the Primary Years Programme and the Middle Years Programme.

IB Diploma Candidates await their results on January 3

December 14, 2023

Nearly three thousand Australiasian Year 12 students are still waiting for their results

Australasian IB Diploma students will receive their results in the morning of January 3, 2024. Results are released to schools and students individually and the IB does not produce ‘league tables’ of schools. It also does not release the names of students or schools that have perfect scores or other data that would allow comparison between schools and students. Individual schools release information when available.

A total of 2,619 students in Australia and 404 in New Zealand sat for these examinations.  In NSW there were 739 candidates, 697 in Queensland, 609 in Victoria, 329 in South Australia, 149 in the ACT, 58 in Western Australia and 38 in Tasmania. Additional students sat for these examinations in PNG and Fiji. 

IBSA will publish further details on January 3, 2024.

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is an academically challenging pre-university matriculation course offered to over 200,000 students in more than 500 schools in over 150 countries worldwide. The IB celebrated 55 years in 2023 and continues to grow rapidly, with Australian Diploma student numbers increasing each year. Students who receive a Diploma apply to Universities in Australia and overseas as it is Internationally recognised as an outstanding preparation for tertiary study.

The IB Mission Statement

The IB develops inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through education that builds intercultural understanding and respect.

To this end the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment.

These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right. (source: www.ibo.org)

 

IB Diploma Programme Overview

Students who complete the IB Diploma Programme must complete subjects in each of the following areas;

  • Studies in language and literature (Group 1)
  • Language acquisition (or another Studies in language and literature subject if they are truly bi-lingual) (Group 2)
  • Individuals and societies (Group 3)
  • Experimental sciences (Group 4)
  • Mathematics (Group 5)
  • The arts (Group 6) or second from groups 2-5
  • A 4000-word research essay
  • Theory of knowledge: An epistemology course, linking the subjects and developing a questioning of the validity of knowledge. This course is unique to the IB Diploma and develops critical thinking skills.
  • CAS: a creativity, physical activity and community service programme similar to the Duke of Edinburgh Award International Award.

Subject results and recognition

Academic subject results are awarded on a seven-point scale (1 is the lowest, 7 the highest) so that students can achieve 42 points maximum from such subjects. Up to three bonus points may awarded from performance in the extended essay and theory of knowledge. The maximum total is 45 equalling an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) of 99.95 (i.e., the top of Australia). IB Diploma scores have direct conversions to university entrance scores in Australia.

2023 IB Diploma Graduate conversion table

UAC (NSW University Admissions Centre) information on the IB Diploma

 

.

 

 

 

 

 

Programmes

  • CP
  • DP

Headline

December 12, 2023

Subheadline

IBSA 2023 Leadership Symposium Reflections

September 28, 2023

By Melissa Fitzgerald, IBSA Standing Committee Member

Education is defined by rapid change and evolving challenges. IB Schools Australasia Leadership Symposium provided the inspiration and tools for IB educators to thrive in uncertain times during their recent leadership symposium held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.  Attended by more than 70 educators from throughout Australia, Asia and New Zealand the conference featured three internationally renowned guest speakers, Dr Tom Brunzell, Professor Sandra Milligan and Emeritus Professor Louise McWhinnie.

Dr Tom Brunzell opened the symposium with a session titled ‘Leading with Strategies to Address Complex Student Behaviour’. He presented three educational myths associated with complex student behaviour and then provided the audience with strategies to breakdown these commonly held misconceptions. He started with Myth 1, that students need to make better choices. Dr Brunzell explained that most students don’t have enough strategies to make good choices and that teaching character strengths is just as important as teaching the curriculum. Myth 2, we need to manage the big things not the small things explored using restorative practices when behaviour escalates and ensuring responses are stage and age appropriate. Myth 3, this student’s behaviour is too complex for our school described how students replicate the dominant and exclusionary behaviours they see in the media in the classroom. Rather than excluding students, leaders need to put the systems in place to manage behaviours which are then supported through classroom practices.

Session 2 was led by Professor Sandra Milligan on New Generation Assessment and Credentialling. Professor Milligan explained how there has been a big shift in pedagogy, learning design and school operation that aligns with IB education including the importance of teaching students how to learn, personal virtues, social skills, interpersonal skills and purposefulness. She described how her research is focussed on how to assess competence, not knowledge and skills. She shared her poem on assessment:

A process

Of gathering evidence

From a variety of sources

In which the learner

Shows what they are capable of

In the complex domains

Of learning.

Professor Milligan concluded that it takes time to reform education, yet there are now more than 80 schools using Melbourne Assessment Credentials.

The final speaker was Emeritus Professor Louise McWhinnie who presented ‘Transdisciplinary Innovation: Beyond the Pedagogical Present for Student Futures’. Emeritus Professor McWhinnie shared that a generational change has occurred, ‘our parents had jobs for life, whereas our students will have a life of jobs’, requiring a different approach to education. She asked participants to reflect on how to include future thinking into our classrooms, to bring together disciplines so that no one subject has priority and advised that we should all ‘step on the cracks in the pavement’ rather than avoid them.

The day concluded with a panel discussion about the changes to IB support within Australia and Asia led by the Singapore office of IB. Thank you to all participants and speakers, we look forward to hosting another event next year.

November 2023 IB Schools Australasia Certificates and Awards Ceremony Booklet Templates

September 28, 2023

IB Schools Australasia provides to members, free of charge, certificates that can be presented at various ceremonies at a state and individual school level. Our November 2023 suite of certificates are now available to order.

This popular, members only service, is a complimentary service provided as part of the annual membership fee.

Awards Ceremony Booklets:

IB Schools Australasia provides a template for the Awards Ceremony booklet for IB Diploma Programme Awards Ceremonies for schools and Networks.

IB Schools Australasia Certificates:

These certificates have been popular with our member schools for a number of years as a way of acknowledging the hard work and achievements of students as they move through each of the IB programmes.

Certificates are available for all IB Programmes including Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, Diploma Programme and Career-related Programme.

The following range of Certificates is available to member schools:

Career-related Programme

  • Certificate of Merit for CP graduates who have achieved 6+ (only 2 taken)
  • Certificate of Merit for the Reflective Project for CP graduates who have achieved a B or above
  • Certificate of Outstanding Career Related Studies for CP graduates who have achieved the highest level in their chosen professional course
  • Certificate of Outstanding Service.  This Certificate is to be presented within schools as they see fit for a small number of students whose service embodies the IB mission statement ideal.  It is anticipated that there would be only one of two of these awarded in any one school.
  • Career Programme Achievement.  This Certificate is for CP graduates who have completed the requirements of the Career-related programme.  This certificate could be used by schools or Networks that have ceremonies where all students who pass the Career-related programme are recognised.

Diploma Programme

  • Certificate of Distinction for DP graduates who have achieved an IB score of 40 points or more.
  • Certificate of Merit for DP graduates who have achieved at least one Grade 7 in one subject or an ‘A’ in EE/TOK.
  • Certificate of outstanding Creativity, Activity and Service.  This Certificate is to be presented within schools as they see fit for a small number of students whose CAS embodies the IB mission statement ideal.  It is anticipated that there would be only one of two of these awarded in any one school.
  • Diploma Achievement.  This Certificate is for DP graduates who have completed the requirements of the Diploma.  This certificate could be used by schools or Networks that have ceremonies where all students who pass the Diploma are recognised.

Middle Years Programme

  • Certificate of Distinction are for students who have achieved an overall average score greater than 6 across all subjects.
  • Certificate of Merit for students who have achieved a score of 7 in one or more subjects.
  • Certificate of outstanding Service as Action. This certificate is to be presented within schools as they see fit to a small number of students whose Service as Action embodies the IB mission statement ideal.  It is anticipated that there would be only one of two of these awarded in any one school
  • Certificate of Participation. This Certificate is for students who have participated in the Middle Years Programme and been involved in the Personal Project or the Community Project in their final year (Please select the relevant option).  This certificate could be used in schools which are moderated as well as those that are not.

Primary Years Programme

  • Certificate of Participation for students who have participated in the Primary Years Programme and have been involved in the Exhibition in the final year.

 

Templates for certificates and the awards booklet are provided to member schools on request as a word document ready for the names to be inserted by mail merge and printed by your school.

To download the order form please click here.  Order form should be sent to, Phoebe Tocco, Executive Assistant, IB Schools Australasia at [email protected]

Please allow three business days for handling.

DOWNLOADS

Download

IB PYP and MYP achieve recognition for meeting Australian National Curriculum standards

September 27, 2023

The Primary Years Programme (PYP) and Middle-Years Programme (MYP) have been recognized by the Australia Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) to meet the principles outlined in the Australian Curriculum, highlighting how IB´s framework empowers students to become confident and creative individuals, successful learners, and active and informed community members.

This recognition in August stemmed from IB’s submission of an application earlier this year, seeking to assess the compatibility of the PYP and MYP with the latest iteration of the Australian Curriculum, Version 9.0. The review conducted by the ACARA Recognition Committee declared that IB programmes enable students to attain equivalent learning outcomes in various key subjects, including English, Mathematics, Science and Humanities and Social Sciences, Health and Physical Education, Languages, Technologies and The Arts by the end of year 10.

The ACARA Alternative Curriculum Framework Recognition Process seeks to determine the extent to which a well-established alternative national curriculum framework can deliver educational outcomes for students comparable with those based on the Australian curriculum. Moreover, the process considered the extent to which the IB framework aligns with the guidelines defined in the Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration, which sets out a vision for a world-class education system that encourages and supports every student, no matter where they live or what kind of challenges they face.

Olli-Pekka Heinonen, Director General at the IB affirmed, “We are immensely proud of the recognition bestowed upon the PYP and MYP by ACARA. This acknowledgement underscores the unwavering commitment of the IB to provide a world-class education that aligns seamlessly with the Australian Curriculum. Our mission has always been to nurture well-rounded, inquisitive, and confident individuals, and this recognition reaffirms our dedication to empowering students to excel in a rapidly changing global landscape. We look forward to continuing our partnership with educators, schools, and students across Australia to provide the best opportunities for the youth.”

The IB curriculum is deliberately flexible, empowering students, teachers and schools to tailor an education that is appropriate to their culture, context, needs, and interests. To this end, the IB is committed to continue working with schools, governments, and international organizations to develop rigorous global education programmes, and to increase access to high-quality education to the widest cohort of students possible.

 

Westbourne College Sydney and German International School Sydney continues ToK Collaboration

September 26, 2023

Westbourne College Sydney hosted a full day workshop of the IB Diploma Programme “Theory of Knowledge” as part of Westbourne’s Friday@UTS programme. It is the third consecutive year of intrastate school collaboration with German International School Sydney (GISS) where Diploma Programme 1 Year 11 students of both institutions come together to learn the critical skills gained from this IBDP core element.

 

“Aside from getting a different perspective on my ToK exhibition, I also enjoyed meeting and collaborating with the GISS students.” Pascale Wong (DP1) said.

 

(ToK Teacher) Dr Lusha Kodikara said, The TOK Exhibition commentary collaboration day was magical in many ways. Firstly, it brought students from two IB schools together in the one space, the students had different backgrounds and abilities. Yet, they were able to share experiences and exchange ideas. Each person had a goal of making progress on their commentary but each student was able to approach this from an individual way. Each had to present three objects, yet in each case they were different and had a personal connection to them. Staff were also able to collaborate and learn from each other. This is certainly a unique event.

 

(Principal) Dr Kristie Spence said, “The IBDP offers exceptional foundations for further study, with its academically rigorous and balanced curriculum that is recognised worldwide. By combining Westbourne’s exceptional, experienced teachers with those across Sydney we provide greater learning opportunities that challenge our students. The growth of their skills as a result, prepares them even more so for their future success.

 

Westbourne College’s collaboration with GISS is held twice a year with the first hosted by Westbourne. This collaboration brings together the expert knowledge of Dr Lusha Kodikara and Kate Carolan of Westbourne and, Annie Thomson and Jamie Greenslade of GISS. Students will come together again before the year ends, to display their efforts in a joint ToK exhibition hosted by GISS.

Australian International Academy, Victoria 2023 Core Exhibition

September 26, 2023

The core subjects in a diploma programme play a crucial role in providing a comprehensive education and preparing students for their future careers or further studies. These subjects are typically designed to cover essential knowledge and skills that are relevant to a specific field of study or industry. 

This year, the year 12 prepared their Core Exhibition and showcased their work to help the year 11 understanding of the requirements of the Diploma programme.

The whole session was very insightful and beneficial for all diploma students. For the year 11 to start working on their Extended Essays, Cas and theory of knowledge and for the year 12 to reflect on their work and finalise the last pieces.

Watch video

IBSA 2023 Leadership Symposium report

September 21, 2023

 

The 2023 IBSA Leadership Symposium themed “Leading School Culture” was held on August 25th in Melbourne at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Center. IBSA was privileged to have some outstanding Speakers on the day which included:

  • Dr Tom Brunzell – Berry St
  • Professor Sandra Milligan- Melbourne Assessment
  • Emeritus Professor Louise McWhinnie – University of Technology Sydney

Each of our guests provided deep insights into their areas of specialty which  spanned Trauma Informed Approach, New Assessment and Credentialing and Transdisciplinary  Innovation. 

All our presenters have kindly provided a summary of the slides they presented on the day. (These are located in downloads.)

Stuart Jones and Angela Meikle from IBO were also in attendance and provided a detailed update on the region and answered questions from  participants around IB matters.
 
IBSA had a great turn out from a broad range of both member and non-member schools and we thank all who attended ( especially those that came from NSW, ACT and QLD) for  what was a wonderful day that provided an opportunity to gather, share and learn.

IBSA would like to acknowledge and once again thank our our sponsors who partnered with us for the event this year.

https://schoolbox.com.au/

https://education.ti.com/aus


https://www.toddleapp.com/
 

Changes to IB Support in Australasia

July 20, 2023

 

The IB has recently announced that from August 1st, support for IB Australasian schools will be provided by a dedicated IB World Schools Manager role, based in Singapore. Coinciding with this, Steven Wishart’s engagement with the IB will end on 31 July 2023. Steven has worked closely with IB schools, networks and the association for a number of years, and we would like to thank him for the support he has provided. We have outlined below how the IB will continue to support schools, and the steps we will take to ensure support during the transition. 

At this time, the IB is not planning any changes to the level or focus of support for IB schools in Australasia, apart from the physical relocation of the IBWS Manager position to Singapore. All Australian and New Zealand IB schools, and all programmes in both public and private systems, will be supported under a single IBWS Manager’s portfolio as part of an Asia Pacific portfolio. This is a bespoke approach, and is recognition that, with some of the developments underway within Australia and also with the IB programmes, this model will best support schools at this point in time. Schools will continue to have direct access to their IBWS Manager online and face to face at planned events over the year. 

All queries regarding recognition (e.g. ACTAC related) and interest in new programmes can continue to go to our Development and Recognition team, and the representative for Australasia, Pei Wen Cheong 

From August 1, all general queries can continue to be sent to IB Answers and will be monitored and supported by IBWS colleagues in the IB’s Singapore office. Any urgent queries will be escalated to the relevant Head of IB World Schools. 

In the transition period, until an IBWS Manager supporting Australasia is in post, schools in the middle of a programme evaluation will be assigned to one of the experienced IBWS Managers in the Singapore office to ensure that your evaluation event goes smoothly.

Click here to find out more on how IBWS department can help your school.