1. Extended essay

All students carry out an in-depth research project on a topic of their choice, producing a 4,000-word paper. Doing this helps students:

• Develop their capacity to analyse, synthesize and evaluate knowledge
• Prepare for undergraduate research
• Explore a topic of special interest to them in depth
• Formulate an appropriate research question
• Learn how to communicate ideas
• Develop an argument

The essay might be related to one of a student’s six DP subjects. It can also be about an issue of contemporary global significance including: the food crisis, climate change, terrorism, energy security, migration, health and technology.

2. Theory of Knowledge

Through an oral presentation and a 1,600 word essay, this part of the IB Diploma gives students an opportunity to reflect on how we know what we claim to know.

By answering this, and related questions, students:

• Gain greater awareness of their personal assumptions and biases
• Develop an appreciation of the cultural perspectives of others
• Become aware of themselves as thinkers and more familiar with the complexity of knowledge
• Can recognise the need to act responsibly in an increasingly interconnected but uncertain world.

3. Creativity, action, service

This element of the IB Diploma involves students in a range of activities alongside their academic studies, including:

• Creativity: arts and experiences that involve creative thinking
• Action: physical exercise
• Service: an unpaid and voluntary exchange that has a learning benefit for the student.

Getting involved in these things:

• Enhances students personal and interpersonal development through experiential learning
• Provides an important counterbalance to the academic pressures of the rest of the Diploma Programme
• Offers a challenging and enjoyable, personal journey of self-discovery
• Provides often profound and life-changing opportunities.

Students need to record their activities and provide evidence that they have achieved eight key learning outcomes.