How to get into the IB Program
So - you’re moving to a new country or choosing a new school in the place you are currently living. Congratulations! While you are excited for this new chapter, there’s also lots to figure out in a new place or with a new school. You might need a new place to live, or need a new way of commuting to school and, of course, a new school itself. Every place is different - and every educational system is different. Thankfully, there are international schools that have similar curricula around the world, as well as at home.
Here’s a brief list:
A-Levels
IGCSE
AP
IB
Each program has its own pros and cons - which we have written about extensively in these other blogposts:
https://www.ts-tutoring.com/blog/ib-vs-a-levels
https://www.ts-tutoring.com/blog/ib-vs-igcse
The following article focuses on how to get into the IB program. It discusses where to start, provides an extensive overview of the admissions process and discusses the myriad of things you have to consider when looking for an IB school abroad.
Before diving into everything, it is good to know that you have to apply to the IB school itself - not the IB program or IBO organisation itself. Schools handle their own admissions. The IB organisation (or IBO) is in charge of things like quality-checks, guiding schools if they want to adopt the IB program or managing the IB examinations.
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Where do you start?
Firstly, of course, by doing a simple google search to figure out which IB schools exist in the country that you are moving to. Fun fact: the IB actually has a webpage where you can see all IB schools in the world.
https://www.ibo.org/programmes/find-an-ib-school
It is good to do some research on a school before choosing which ones to apply to. You should have a look at what courses a school offers, what extracurricular activities a school offers and get a general ‘feel’ for what the school is like. Websites of schools often have videos where you can get a feel for the school. It may seem trivial, but it’s a good idea to look at the commute as well! Are there school buses? Do you need to take the car to go to school? What’s the traffic like? In some places, short distances can take a long long time. In some places you also definitely do not want to drive yourself. Take this into account when researching schools.
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Your first IB Steps: Contact IB Coordinator
After that - contact the IB coordinator! The IB coordinator of any given IB school is your best friend during the admissions process.You can find the IB coordinator’s contact details if you click on a school on the website mentioned above. You will also find the website of the school on this page. It is always a good idea to have a look at the website since it will give you an idea of the curriculum and the general vibe or feeling of the school. On the website you can sometimes find an admissions email which you can also write to instead of the IB coordinator. Often, there will be an overview of what the admissions process looks like for that specific school as well. With that in mind, let’s look at some general things the admissions process may require.
Not sure if the IB program is the right choice for you? That’s completely normal - every student’s path is different. If you’d like support comparing your options, our team is here to help you find the best fit.
Admissions Process - How to apply to an IB School
The following information is taken from randomly selected schools in Dubai, Peru, Thailand and South Korea.
Documents
Like any application process, you have to upload lots of documents. Things like copies of passports, copies of visas, medical and vaccination records and copies of school reports are usually required. Occasionally an understanding of the refund policy may also be required. Some schools also ask for proof of English skills - this is especially important when it comes to the IB DP program (the final 2 years) since the content is difficult enough without a language barrier.
An Interview
For some schools, some sort of meeting or interview is required with the IB coordinator or principal. When I first went to an IB school I had to meet with the principal to see whether my English was good enough and if I was a good fit for the school. If you don’t have the time or resources to visit a school - I’m sure an online interview will do. If you can visit a school beforehand, however, it is definitely recommended since you get a better feel for the quality of the school.
Fees
Usually, if you get an acceptance letter from the school, your enrollment will be contingent on whether you pay the fees. Every school has different fees ranging from 7 500 - 25 000 euro (9 000 - 30 000 USD). The difference in amounts depends largely on the government of the country you are moving to; some governments subsidize all education while others only subsidize local education (which the IB is usually not). Some schools also have deposits and some don’t.
Choose your courses
If you’ve been accepted to a school and you have paid the fees, it’s time to pick your IB courses! Have a look at the courses that the school offers. This is often portrayed on the website of the school under ‘curriculum’.
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IB School or Local School? What to Consider Before Deciding
It is important to keep in mind here that IB schools have to follow the laws of the country that they are in. Some IB schools, for instance, do not allow the locals to go to their school because the government has mandated that they must go through the local education system. If you are looking for more integration of the country you are moving to - going to a local school might be a better idea. If you are looking for a high standard of education and an educational program helps with university admissions - the IB is a better fit. There is no right answer - there is only the answer that fits your needs best.
Some schools also have exceptions to this rule, where locals are allowed to go to the IB school if they have lived abroad for a certain number of years or their parents are partially or fully expats. Every school is different so it’s important to do your research beforehand.
Deadlines - When to apply to an IB school?
Each school has their own application deadline - which they often don’t advertise on their webpage. Definitely have a look at when the application deadline is if they do provide it, however. It’s also good to note that these deadlines are often quite flexible. Schools are usually looking for more students to join - and they understand that with a new job in a different country there are often complications. Maybe your visa doesn’t get approved until much later. Maybe it is unsure whether a job will go through or not - or it goes through much later than anticipated and you have to scramble to find a new school. It’s always a good idea to reach out to the admissions office or IB coordinator even if you are past the deadline. It never hurts to ask.
I hope this article has helped you and, wherever you are going, I wish you good luck with finding a school! If you want a standardized overview of all the things you have to consider for a number of schools - below is a link to our own standardized overview.
