IB Diploma Programme

Higher Level (HL)

3, and no more than 4, subjects — 240 recommended teaching hours each.

Standard Level (SL)

The remaining subjects (a minimum of 2) — 150 recommended teaching hours each.

DP core (compulsory)

Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay, and Creativity, Activity, Service.

The IB Diploma Programme Pathway

Students on the IB Diploma Pathway work towards the award of the International Baccalaureate Diploma, an internationally recognised qualification accepted for university entry in Australia and overseas. At AIA Strathfield the Diploma Programme is offered as an alternative to the NSW HSC (ATAR) Pathway for students entering Year 11. All subjects on this pathway are set by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IB) and examined through a combination of school-based and external IB assessment.

History of the DP at AIA Strathfield

The Australian International Academy is an IB World School offering IB programmes across the full learning continuum: the Primary Years Programme (K–6) and Middle Years Programme (7–10) taught alongside the NESA curriculum, and the Diploma Programme (11–12) as an alternative to the NESA HSC.

AIA Strathfield has offered the Diploma Programme since 2008, with its first cohort graduating in 2009, and the programme ran continuously from 2008 to 2021. The School Board temporarily suspended the programme in 2021; this decision was reversed in 2023, and the School has since been working through IB authorisation for the programme’s resumption from 2025.

Choosing courses wisely

Course selection should be informed, not rushed. Students are encouraged to:

• choose courses they are interested in;
• choose courses they are good at;
• choose courses that will be useful or relevant for their intended future study or career;
• be realistic about workload and be prepared to work hard — the Diploma Programme is a demanding, six-subject course of study; and
• talk to people who know — subject teachers, the IBDP Coordinator and the Careers Advisor — rather than relying on rumours about particular subjects or levels.

Subject lines and changes to subjects

Subject choices remain in accordance with the subject lines established by the Academy, which may vary from year to year depending on the composition of the cohort, student demand, staffing and timetabling constraints. Not every subject or language listed as a possible option can be guaranteed to run in a given year; final subject availability will be confirmed once preferences have been collected.

Placement on the Diploma Programme — ongoing expectations

Students offered placement on the Diploma Programme are expected to maintain a satisfactory level of academic performance, effort, application and conduct across all six subjects and the DP core (Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay and Creativity, Activity, Service).

Placement on this pathway is not permanent. Students who fail to maintain satisfactory results, effort or application across their courses, or who do not meet CAS, TOK or Extended Essay requirements, may be reviewed and, where appropriate, supported to transition to the HSC (ATAR) Pathway. All students are encouraged to seek support from their teachers, Heads of Department, or the Head of Senior School if they are experiencing difficulty. For further information, refer to the Student Enrolment Policy and Promotions Policy on Policy Connect (accessible via the Staff and Student Hub).