The IB Diploma Programme is about more than the six subjects that students study.

At its heart are three core requirements that are integral to the curriculum and make
the IB Diploma Programme unique.

• Theory of knowledge (TOK) - an internally and externally assessed interdisciplinary

component that explores the different concepts of knowledge found in the subject

areas. Because IB Diploma Programme students study six subjects simultaneously,

TOK teachers can, for example, ask their students to compare a historian’s approach

to problem solving with that of a scientist or an artist.

• Extended essay - an externally assessed, independent research assignment of 4,000

words in one of the six subject areas. This is one of the ways in which IB Diploma

Programme students can specialize in a certain subject area and prepare for university

studies.

• Creativity, action, service (CAS) - a minimum of 150 hours of participation over the two

years in creative, physical and service activities in the local community. The CAS

requirement allows students to gain real-life experience beyond the classroom.