Diploma Programme (DP)​
​
“A rigorous, concept-driven program that fosters independent thinking, global-mindedness, and a lifelong love of learning—empowering students with the skills to thrive and the qualifications to access top universities around the world”
​
The Diploma Programme is a challenging pre-university course of study that leads to external examinations and is suitable for well-motivated students aged between 16 and 19.
It was established in the late 1960’s and was developed as a deliberate compromise between the specialization required in some national systems and the breadth preferred in others, without bias towards any national system.​
​​​​
The general objectives of the IB Diploma Programme were to provide students with an international education, to facilitate geographic and cultural mobility and to promote international understanding through a shared academic experience. This has not changed over the last forty years and if anything, the idealistic vision of the Diploma Programme has received further impetus with the “flattening of the world” at the dawn of the 21st Century. At present there are now more than 4,000 schools worldwide authorized to deliver the Diploma Programme. Ultimately, the broad goal of the Diploma Programme is to provide students with the values and opportunities that will enable them to develop sound judgment, to make wise choices and respect others in the global community.
​
Students must undertake subjects from six groups to gain the DP:
Group 1 - Studies in Language and Literature;
Group 2 - Language Acquisition;
Group 3 - Individuals and Societies;
Group 4 - Sciences;
Group 5 - Mathematics;
Group 6 - Arts
​
Each subject group contains various subject options. The actual subjects offered at KIST are announced each year in April. Students must choose a total of six subjects - one from each of the group 1 to 5 subject options, and one from group 6 (The Arts) or another subject from groups 1 to 5 if they do not wish to take an Arts subject. Please use the link below to see the latest subject choses at KIST:
​
KIST IB Diploma Subject Options 2025-2027 (E)
​
DP subjects are offered at Higher Level (HL) (240 teaching hours over 2 years) or Standard Level (SL) (150 teaching hours over 2 years). Students must take a minimum of three and no more than four subjects at Higher Level; the remaining subjects may be taken at Standard Level.
​
In addition to their six main subjects, students are also required to complete requirements in three additional courses called the IB Core Subjects:
1. Theory of Knowledge (TOK);
2. Extended Essay; Students may choose a subject from their own studies
3. Creativity, Action, Service (CAS).
​
KIST's students current DP Exam Results can be viewed here.
​