Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
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Can I gain the level 2 award without already having gained the level 1 award?
- Why must have I have teaching experience to gain the level 2 award?
- Are the awards available to school administrators?
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As a teacher with no experience in teaching an IB programme can I register for an award?
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How do I know that the university course I am undertaking is IB-recognized?
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Will successful completion of a recognized course of study automatically qualify me for an award?
- What should I do first if I want to gain a teacher award?
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What is the difference between award application and registration?
- I know of a university course that might be suitable to link to the IB teacher award initiative, what can I do?
- What can I do if I want to gain an IB teacher award but have already started a non-related master's course?
- I want to keep up to date with the latest IB teacher award news and information, what should I do?
1. What are the benefits of gaining a teacher award?
Possessing an award certificate indicates that the holder has a proven level of understanding about the IB programmes and their implementation. Furthermore it demonstrates that they have shown a commitment to their ongoing professional development in the context of the IB programmes. The awards may be used in support of a teacher’s own professional and career development. It also signifies that the holder has met the IB’s professional development requirements for IB programme authorization and evaluation in schools.
2. Are the teacher awards IB programme specific?
Yes, in the case of the level 1 award. You will only be able to register for the award that relates to one of the three IB programmes, ie Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, Diploma Programme. It is thus important to find out from the university you are planning to enrol with whether the course of study will lead to the appropriate award. The level 2 award is a generic level of recognition and not associated with a specific IB programme.
3. What is the difference between the two awards?
The level 1 award recognizes a broader level of understanding of the principles and practices associated with implementing one of the three IB programmes. The level 2 award recognizes a greater depth of understanding gained through systematic academic investigation into specific areas of interest within the IB context. The latter is awarded to those who have completed a master's degree or higher and thus also represents a greater level of commitment and scholarship.
4. Which IB teacher award should I be aiming for?
For inexperienced IB teachers, or those with no experience of teaching the IB programmes, completing a course of study leading to the Level 1 award would be the recommended option. For experienced IB practitioners following a course that leads to a Level 2 award might be the preferred choice.
5. Can I gain the level 2 award without already having gained the level 1 award?
It is important to bear in mind that if you want to register for the level 2 award you must be able to demonstrate a level of understanding about an IB programme commensurate with that required for the level 1 award. If you have not got the level 1 award there will be two options available to you.
The first option is to undertake an IB-recognized master's level or higher course of study leading to the level 2 award that also meets the requirements of the level 1 award.
A second option will be established where teachers undertake an IB-recognized master's (or higher) level course of study leading to the level 2 award, and also submits a portfolio of evidence demonstrating that all the understandings associated with the level 1 award have been met.
6. Why must I have teaching experience to gain the level 2 award?
The level 2 award is aimed at experienced practitioners who have gained a deep understanding of an IB programme through teaching the programme for a number of years. Their IB teaching experience will provide the basis for reflection when they undertake an IB-recognized master's course (or higher). The experiential component required to register for a level 2 award (five years' teaching, of which three must have been carried out in the same IB programme in one IB World School) is considered sufficient time to develop the required practical knowledge and understanding of one IB programme.
7. Are the awards available to school administrators?
Yes, the awards are open to anyone who has a professional teacher qualification and has successfully completed an IB-recognized course of study. Indeed, the course should allow those who undertake aspects of school leadership to reflect upon their experiences in implementing an IB programme.
8. As a teacher with no experience in teaching an IB programme can I register for an award?
Yes, one of the purposes of a course of study associated with the level 1 award is to prepare prospective IB teachers to work in IB World Schools. Please note that some university courses targeting experienced IB teachers and recognized by the IB as primarily meeting the level 2 award requirements also have been recognized to meet the requirements of the level 1 award. These courses of study would not normally be suitable for teachers without IB experience but who wish to become eligible for the level 1 award. It would therefore be advisable for those concerned to discuss this with the course tutor.
9. As an IB teacher or a potential IB teacher will I be required to take one of these postgraduate courses?
No, from the IB's perspective the initiative is purely a voluntary one. The purpose of these programmes is to provide ongoing professional development opportunities for teachers who are interested in exploring the principles and practices of IB programmes and developing greater understanding through critical and systematic self-reflection. Schools recruiting new teachers may give preferential treatment to those teachers with the award. However, that is a matter for schools themselves.
10. What happens if, having completed an IB-recognized course, I do not want to register for an award. Is this a problem?
No, the IB teacher awards are voluntary. It is up to the teacher if they want to register for an award or not. It should be remembered, however, that if you do not register you will not gain the benefits of the level of recognition associated with an award.
11. How do I know that the university course I am undertaking is IB-recognized?
The university concerned will inform you prior to undertaking the course of study that it has been recognized by the IB and, if completed satisfactorily, will lead to a specific award. All universities offering recognized courses of study are listed on the IB teacher award web pages.
12. Will successful completion of a recognized course of study automatically qualify me for an award?
No, to qualify for an award you must register with the IB. This involves a simple two-stage process. Having enrolled on a course of study we ask you to complete an application form. Upon successful completion of your course you must complete a registration form and submit this with the required fee to the teacher education services department. (Please note, for the level 2 award the experiential requirements must be met.)
Some university courses will be only partly recognized, in which case you need to approach the course coordinator and ask what additional activities need to be completed before you can register for the award. This information can also be found on the IB teacher award web pages.
13. How will I know that I have been granted a teacher award?
Once the registration process has been successfully completed a certificate will be sent to you.
14. Can prior formal learning qualifications (postgraduate qualifications gained from other universities) count towards the awards?
Possibly, the university that you have enrolled with may accept previous study as part-qualification for their postgraduate course. Exactly how much will be up to the discretion of the university concerned. The university will inform you how this will affect the applicability of their course of study for registering for the award
15. What should I do first if I want to gain a teacher award?
The first thing to do is to visit the " find a course of study" web page to find out if any of the universities listed are offering a course in a location suitable to you (you can visit the appropriate university website from this page). You are then advised to contact the relevant university and investigate the possibilities of enrolling on a course. While currently the number of courses being offered is limited, it is envisaged that over time this will grow as more universities seek IB recognition for their courses.
16. What is the difference between award application and registration?
When you enrol at a university to undertake a postgraduate course of study you complete an application form which the teacher education services department will review. Upon acceptance of the application, applicants' names will be added to the database of award applicants.
Upon successful completion of a course of study, you are eligible to register for an award by completing a registration form and submitting this with the relevant fee. Once the registration process has been completed you will be sent a formal certificate of recognition by post, and if you do not already have an OCC account as a consequence of currently working in an IB World School or candidate school, you will receive continued access for a further period of two years.
17. When should I complete the application process?
It is preferable to apply as soon as you have enrolled at the university offering an IB-recognized course of study.
18. I know of a university course that might be suitable to link to the IB teacher award initiative, what can I do?
If you are planning on starting a university course not currently recognized by the IB but would like it to lead to eligibility for an IB teacher award, or if you know of a course you think would be suitable, you might want to speak to the university authorities about having the course recognized. The university can then contact the IB via teacher.award@ibo.org
19. What can I do if I want to gain an IB teacher award but have already started a non-related master's course?
The IB is looking at possible alternative routes to gain the IB teacher awards such as a portfolio route where you would submit evidence of prior learning and experience. News and information about alternative pathways to the award will be posted on the IB teacher award web pages http://www.ibo.org/programmes/pd/award when it becomes available.
20. I want to keep up to date with the latest IB teacher award news and information, what should I do?
You can stay informed by joining our mailing list. To do so, send an email to teacher.award@ibo.org and add "Stay Informed" as the email subject.
