International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
The IB Diploma Programme is a comprehensive two-year course of study across years 12 & 13.
The vision of the IBDP is that students share a well-rounded academic experience that emphasises critical thinking, intercultural understanding and exposure to a variety of points of view.
John McGlashan College has offered the Diploma for well-over 20 years and have had hundreds of students successfully complete this internationally recognised, gold-standard qualification. Our experience and feedback from past students has been that there is no better preparation for tertiary study either here in NZ or overseas.
The vision of the IBDP is that students share a well-rounded academic experience that emphasises critical thinking, intercultural understanding and exposure to a variety of points of view.
John McGlashan College has offered the Diploma for well-over 20 years and have had hundreds of students successfully complete this internationally recognised, gold-standard qualification. Our experience and feedback from past students has been that there is no better preparation for tertiary study either here in NZ or overseas.
Curriculum Requirements
The curriculum is made up of the DP core and six subject groups.
Made up of the three required components, the DP core aims to broaden students’ educational experience and challenge them to apply their knowledge and skills.
The three core elements are:
Choosing subjects in the Diploma Programme
Students select a total of 6 subjects from the above groups (ideally one from each) Students may opt to study an additional sciences, individuals and societies, or languages course, instead of a course in the arts. In certain circumstances students can also take 3 science subjects instead of Group 3 & 6 subjects.
Students will take 3 subjects at higher level (HL) and 3 at standard level (SL). HL and SL courses differ in scope but are measured according to the same grade descriptors, with students expected to demonstrate a greater body of knowledge, understanding and skills at higher level.
Standard level subjects take up 150 teaching hours. Higher level comprises 240 teaching hours.
1. Studies in language and literature (Language A)
As part of the Diploma Programme (DP), students take at least one subject from studies in language and literature. Taking two studies in language and literature subjects in different languages is one way of obtaining a bilingual diploma.
The courses offer a broad range of texts, and students grow to appreciate a language’s complexity, wealth and subtleties in a variety of contexts. Students take their studies in a language in which they are academically competent.
Through each course, students are able to develop:
2. Language acquisition
It is a requirement of the programme that students study at least one language acquisition subject.
The main emphasis of the modern language courses is on the acquisition and use of language in a range of contexts and for different purposes while, at the same time, promoting an understanding of another culture through the study of its language.
3. Individuals and societies
Students are required to choose one subject from each of the six academic areas, including one from Individuals and societies. They can choose a second subject from each academic area except the arts.
Subjects available: Studying any one of these subjects provides for the development of a critical appreciation of:
4. Sciences
It is a requirement of the programme that students study at least one subject from group 4.
Four subjects are available: Students explore the concepts, theories, models and techniques that underpin each subject area and through these develop their understanding of the scientific method.
A compulsory project encourages students to appreciate the environmental, social and ethical implications of science. This exercise is collaborative and interdisciplinary and provides an opportunity for students to explore scientific solutions to global questions.
5. Mathematics
The following courses, are available:
All DP mathematics courses serve to accommodate the range of needs, interests and abilities of students, and to fulfill the requirements of various university and career aspirations.
The aims of these courses are to enable students to:
6. The arts
The subjects in the arts allow a high degree of adaptability to different cultural contexts. The emphasis is on creativity in the context of disciplined, practical research into the relevant genres.
In addition, each subject is designed to foster critical, reflective and informed practice, help students understand the dynamic and changing nature of the arts, explore the diversity of arts across time, place and cultures, and express themselves with confidence and competence.
Five subjects are available to students at higher level or standard level: Students may opt to study an additional sciences, individuals and societies, or languages course, instead of a course in the arts.
Course Costs 2023
To be an IBDP student at John McGlashan College, it costs $300 per term invoiced at $600 per semester. Costs cover IB Subject fees and College related resource fees.
IBDP Camp 2023
IBDP Core Camp in Te Anau is a new addition to the programme. In term 4 of year 1, the IBDP Year 1 students will attend the IBDP Core Camp at our Te Anau Lodge. The camp enables us to dive in deeper with a few of the areas of knowledge that we are due to study this year. The students will conduct their Group 4 (Sciences) Project and we will also spend time researching and writing the Extended Essay which is due at the end of term 1 of year 2. The camp is an additional cost which is yet to be determined.
Note: These IBDP fees are in addition to the attendance dues paid as a student of the College.
Additional Pamoja fees of approximately $1200 USD per course, per year are invoiced annually around April. This is only for those students who elect to study a course via this external provider.
JMC International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme website and handbook:
https://www.mcglashan.school.nz/academic/international-baccalaureate
IBO Course Selection Guidance:
The information below can help you select the courses that best fit you or your students’ goals.
Refer to the following website as you develop your course plan.
Note: We do not offer every course listed on the website.
https://www.ibo.org/university-admission/support-students-transition-to-higher-education/course-selection-guidance/
The curriculum is made up of the DP core and six subject groups.
Made up of the three required components, the DP core aims to broaden students’ educational experience and challenge them to apply their knowledge and skills.
The three core elements are:
- Theory of knowledge, in which students reflect on the nature of knowledge and on how we know what we claim to know.
- The extended essay, which is an independent, self-directed piece of research, finishing with a 4,000-word paper.
- Creativity, activity, service, in which students complete a project related to those three concepts.
- Studies in language and literature
- Language acquisition
- Individuals and societies
- Sciences
- Mathematics
- The arts
Choosing subjects in the Diploma Programme
Students select a total of 6 subjects from the above groups (ideally one from each) Students may opt to study an additional sciences, individuals and societies, or languages course, instead of a course in the arts. In certain circumstances students can also take 3 science subjects instead of Group 3 & 6 subjects.
Students will take 3 subjects at higher level (HL) and 3 at standard level (SL). HL and SL courses differ in scope but are measured according to the same grade descriptors, with students expected to demonstrate a greater body of knowledge, understanding and skills at higher level.
Standard level subjects take up 150 teaching hours. Higher level comprises 240 teaching hours.
1. Studies in language and literature (Language A)
As part of the Diploma Programme (DP), students take at least one subject from studies in language and literature. Taking two studies in language and literature subjects in different languages is one way of obtaining a bilingual diploma.
The courses offer a broad range of texts, and students grow to appreciate a language’s complexity, wealth and subtleties in a variety of contexts. Students take their studies in a language in which they are academically competent.
Through each course, students are able to develop:
- a personal appreciation of language and literature
- critical-thinking skills in their interaction with a range of texts from different periods, styles, text-types and literacy forms
- an understanding of the formal, stylistic and aesthetic qualities of texts
- strong powers of expression, both written and oral
- an appreciation of cultural differences in perspective
- an understanding of how language challenges and sustains ways of thinking.
2. Language acquisition
It is a requirement of the programme that students study at least one language acquisition subject.
The main emphasis of the modern language courses is on the acquisition and use of language in a range of contexts and for different purposes while, at the same time, promoting an understanding of another culture through the study of its language.
- Spanish ab initio SL is for beginners (that is, students who have little or no previous experience of learning the language they have chosen). These courses are only available at standard level.
- German B or Spanish B is intended for students who have had some previous experience of learning the language. They may be studied at either higher level or standard level.
3. Individuals and societies
Students are required to choose one subject from each of the six academic areas, including one from Individuals and societies. They can choose a second subject from each academic area except the arts.
Subjects available: Studying any one of these subjects provides for the development of a critical appreciation of:
- human experience and behaviour
- the varieties of physical, economic and social environments that people inhabit
- the history of social and cultural institutions.
4. Sciences
It is a requirement of the programme that students study at least one subject from group 4.
Four subjects are available: Students explore the concepts, theories, models and techniques that underpin each subject area and through these develop their understanding of the scientific method.
A compulsory project encourages students to appreciate the environmental, social and ethical implications of science. This exercise is collaborative and interdisciplinary and provides an opportunity for students to explore scientific solutions to global questions.
5. Mathematics
The following courses, are available:
- Mathematics: analysis and approaches SL
- Mathematics: analysis and approaches HL
All DP mathematics courses serve to accommodate the range of needs, interests and abilities of students, and to fulfill the requirements of various university and career aspirations.
The aims of these courses are to enable students to:
- develop mathematical knowledge, concepts and principles
- develop logical, critical and creative thinking
- employ and refine their powers of abstraction and generalisation.
6. The arts
The subjects in the arts allow a high degree of adaptability to different cultural contexts. The emphasis is on creativity in the context of disciplined, practical research into the relevant genres.
In addition, each subject is designed to foster critical, reflective and informed practice, help students understand the dynamic and changing nature of the arts, explore the diversity of arts across time, place and cultures, and express themselves with confidence and competence.
Five subjects are available to students at higher level or standard level: Students may opt to study an additional sciences, individuals and societies, or languages course, instead of a course in the arts.
Course Costs 2023
To be an IBDP student at John McGlashan College, it costs $300 per term invoiced at $600 per semester. Costs cover IB Subject fees and College related resource fees.
IBDP Camp 2023
IBDP Core Camp in Te Anau is a new addition to the programme. In term 4 of year 1, the IBDP Year 1 students will attend the IBDP Core Camp at our Te Anau Lodge. The camp enables us to dive in deeper with a few of the areas of knowledge that we are due to study this year. The students will conduct their Group 4 (Sciences) Project and we will also spend time researching and writing the Extended Essay which is due at the end of term 1 of year 2. The camp is an additional cost which is yet to be determined.
Note: These IBDP fees are in addition to the attendance dues paid as a student of the College.
Additional Pamoja fees of approximately $1200 USD per course, per year are invoiced annually around April. This is only for those students who elect to study a course via this external provider.
JMC International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme website and handbook:
https://www.mcglashan.school.nz/academic/international-baccalaureate
IBO Course Selection Guidance:
The information below can help you select the courses that best fit you or your students’ goals.
Refer to the following website as you develop your course plan.
Note: We do not offer every course listed on the website.
https://www.ibo.org/university-admission/support-students-transition-to-higher-education/course-selection-guidance/