What is IB?
The International Baccalaureate Diploma is an international matriculation examination that is offered in 150 countries. The IB Diploma is equivalent to the Finnish matriculation examination.
The language of teaching and examination is English, except in Finnish and Spanish courses, and the curriculum is the same all over the world. The studies take three years to complete. The focus during the first year is on strengthening language proficiency and getting to know the working methods of the IB school.
In the same way as with the Finnish matriculation examination, students take final examinations. Assessment, however, differs: in addition to the final examinations, the matriculation examination grades are also based on the studies and essays written and verbal examinations performed during the IB years.
The examinations are assessed on a scale of 1-7. The examinations and diploma requirements are the same all over the world.
Why choose IB?
The IB programme offers students an excellent route to university studies both in Finland and abroad. You can choose six or seven subjects, one from each group. The subjects can be studied at different levels.
At least three subjects are studied at Higher Level (HL) and others at Standard Level (SL). There are nine courses in HL subjects, which means that each period has lessons in the subjects three times a week. The SL subjects are studied over six courses, i.e. in three periods during each actual IB year.
IB offers the opportunity to focus on particular subjects. A final examination is taken in each subject that has been studied. Experiments, critical thinking and social activity are an important part of studying at an IB school. Science studies include laboratory work, the CAS programme encourages students to participate in activities outside of school and the Extended Essay gives students excellent skills for completing written assignments at university level.
The three years at IB school contain cramming, writing and agonising, but also new friends, the school dance, the student party in the spring of the third year and study trips. Fabulous team spirit will keep you motivated and the studies include, among other things, a trip to London.
You will gain a strong proficiency in English and the Diploma will allow you to apply directly to numerous foreign universities.
The IB programme offers students an excellent route to university studies both in Finland and abroad.
School subjects
Visual Arts cannot be selected at the moment.
See also IBO.org
Finnish
lessons at IB include discussions, debates and addresses on the topics at hand. Their aim is to teach students to think for themselves and to think critically. Students familiarise themselves with literature, while at the same time acquiring the all-round education needed in our ever more international world. The lessons also help students to learn about foreign cultures and transport them to the core of Finnish culture. IB’s Finnish lessons also teach students to become good writers and confident performers. In a small and familiar group, everyone has the opportunity to participate and learn through doing.
English A Language and Literature
Course aims to introduce students to a range of texts from different periods, styles and genres. Students learn to understand how language, culture and context determine the ways in which meaning is constructed in texts. The course develops in students the ability to engage in close, detailed analysis of individual texts. It also develops the students’ powers of expression, both in oral and written communication.
Spanish ab initio
Courses are intended for beginners who have not studied Spanish before. The main object is for students to learn the basic structures of the spanish language and get to know the Spanish-speaking culture. Other important object in the courses is to emphasize students’ oral skills. After completing the Spanish ab initio courses students are able to communicate easily in different situations both in writing and in oral. They are well qualified to continue their Spanish studies independently.
Economics
Fossil fuels are running out (in addition to causing severe climate change), there is a shortage of fresh water and some people go hungry. At the same time, the number of billionaires is increasing. How can this be? The amount of resources on our planet is limited. However, our needs and wants seem unlimited. How do markets and governments resolve the problem of allocating scarce resources among competing demands? This is a question of both efficiency and equity. Economics gives you the tools to understand how the material aspects of human life are resolved in a local and global economy.
History
George Santayana has said: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” In IB history courses, we don’t just study history, but also analyse the reasons and consequences of events, learn to critically evaluate various sources and familiarise ourselves with wars, mad dictators and events that have changed the world. IB school offers students who are interested in history the opportunity to study even broad subject fields comprehensively and in detail.
Psychology
Psychology is a subject for those who are interested in people – themselves and others. Psychology studies human behaviour and the way the human mind works in a scientific way. Nowadays, it is needed in all walks of life, in professions as well as private life. IB Psychology studies include many intriguing questions e.g. How do antidepressants affect the brain? Can we trust eyewitness testimonies? Why people join cults?
Biology
The starting point for teaching biology is to give students the opportunity to build a scientific world view which includes knowledge about their own bodies and the organic phenomena that influence our planet. The studies include basic information about human physiology, genetics and cellular functions. Larger theoretical study entities comprise the theory of evolution and the operational foundations of ecology. In addition to lessons, teaching involves field and laboratory work and visits. In comparison to the working methods of standard upper secondary schools, the biology lessons at IB schools are a step closer to university teaching, in order to better prepare students for further study, for example, in the field of health care.
Chemistry
Chemistry studies provide good basic knowledge for further studies, for example, in the fields of science, technology, nursing and the food industry. An essential part of IB’s chemistry studies is laboratory work and, on average, one laboratory lesson per week is included. Excursions to a university and companies and bureaus working within the field are also incorporated.
Physics
Are you interested in the world around you and the phenomena in it? Why does a cold bottle of pop sweat in hot weather and how does a mobile phone work? These and many more questions you may have thought about will be answered during our physics lessons. Come and study physics at the IB World School! Examining phenomena and performing experiments yourself are a central part of studying at IB. These activities bring variety and make studying much more interesting than physics studies at a standard upper secondary school. Studying physics at an upper secondary level school, such as the IB school, is also a rerequisite if you want to become a physicist, engineer or, let’s say, a doctor. Completing our physics courses successfully only requires moderate basic knowledge about physics and mathematics, because good study motivation and endless curiosity are the most important ingredients for studying physics.
Mathematics
Mathematics is required by both artists when considering perspectives and scientists when performing research. The four choices of IB mathematics are sure to provide a suitable level for all students. The choice is influenced by your abilities and interest, as well as your plans for future studies. The more theoretical mathematics offers an excellent level of knowledge and skills for further studies in, for example, physics, mathematics and technology. For those interested in mathematics, this course offers plenty of new information and more in-depth skills in mathematics. The more applied math course offers good skills for studying, for example, chemistry, psychology and economics.
TOK (Theory of Knowledge)
TOK exercises students’ critical thinking and conversational talents. Information, knowledge and questioning information are examined from the points of view of the knower, ways of knowing and areas of knowledge. Issues are approached through students’ own experiences and opinions. During the Creativity, Action and Service programme students engage in activities they are interested in, involving creativity, physical exercise and service activities. The programme offers them an opportunity for experiential learning and individual growth. Its target is to facilitate the development of students’ personality and finding their personal strengths. In CAS, you can make good use of your old, familiar hobbies, or try something completely new. CAS activities usually take place outside of school, and students are expected to be involved in them for approximately three hours per week. A CAS supervisor organises and monitors the activities.
CAS
During the Creativity, Action and Service programme students engage in activities they are interested in, involving creativity, physical exercise and service activities. The programme offers them an opportunity for experiential learning and individual growth. Its target is to facilitate the development of students’ personality and finding their personal strengths. In CAS, you can make good use of your old, familiar hobbies, or try something completely new. CAS activities usually take place outside of school, and students are expected to be involved in them for approximately three hours per week. A CAS supervisor organises and monitors the activities.’’
Extended Essay (EE)
EE is a paper of 4,000 words, planned and implemented by students themselves, on a subject taught at IB. Students are free to choose the subject and theme, and the teacher of the subject in question tutors the writing process. In general, scientific experiments and data acquisition are valued in all experimental and social sciences: for example, an EE in chemistry involves chemical experiments and, in history, interviews. You can earn “bonus points” for your Diploma with the grade of your EE.