International Baccalaureate
We are proud to be the only school in the local area to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) alongside A Levels. The IBDP creates a pathway for our students where their individuality can really shine through, allowing them to pursue their passions with tailored guidance and support given throughout their studies.
IB Learner Profile
The International Baccalaureate aims to develop internationally-minded people who become the next global citizens. The IB learner profile strives to develop learners who are: inquirers, thinkers, knowledgeable, principled, balanced, communicators, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, and reflective.
IB and higher education
UK universities regard the IB very highly as they recognise the quality of student produced by the Diploma Programme. Admissions officers have noted specifically that IB students know how to think critically, how to research and write a good research paper, as well as having strong time management and studying skills.
Why study IB at Royal High School?
We were recently ranked a 'Top 50 Global IB School' (out of approximately 3020) and a 'Top 20 IB School in the UK' (out of about 130). In 2024 our IB cohort achieved an average point score of 36, against a global average of 30. This maintains a tradition for our IB students to achieve results which are significantly higher than the global average, with students securing places at prestigious universities including Kings College London, Edinburgh, and the University of Nottingham.
What our students say...
Hear from our RHSB Sixth Form students Billie and Jess, in the video below they discuss their experience of studying the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme:
“ It was a tough choice between IB or A levels for me, but in the end I was swayed by the built-in opportunities for physical activity, critical thinking and independence which I saw offered in the IB diploma programme. The IB does a very good job of pushing students and encouraging good habits in time management, efficiency and independent research.”Marigold Whitaker, RHS Alumna (2021) who achieved a top score of 45/45
Hear more about the IB Diploma Programme from Jude Taylor, our IB Coordinator:
Course Structure and Subjects
Find out more about course structure and subject options here.