The IB Middle Years Programme
The Middle Years Programme: preparing students to be successful in school and to be active, lifelong learners.
What is the IB Middle Years Programme?
The MYP is designed for students aged 11 to 16. It provides a framework of learning which encourages students to become creative, critical and reflective thinkers. The MYP emphasizes intellectual challenge, encouraging students to make connections between their studies in traditional subjects and to the real world. It fosters the development of skills for communication, intercultural understanding and global engagement, qualities that are essential for life in the 21st century.
The MYP is flexible enough to accommodate the demands of most national or local curriculums. It builds upon the knowledge, skills and attitudes developed in the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) and prepares students to meet the academic challenges of the IB Diploma Programme and the IB Career-related Certificate (IBCC).
The IB Middle Years Programme
- addresses students’ intellectual, social, emotional and physical well-being
- enables students to understand and manage the complexities of our world, and provides them with the skills and attitudes they need in order to take responsible action for the future
- ensures breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding through the study of eight subject areas
- requires the study of at least two languages to support students in understanding their own culture and that of others
- provides the opportunity for students to undertake an independent project into an area of interest
The curriculum
The IB Middle Years Programme consists of eight subject groups integrated through five interactive areas providing global contexts for learning.
Students are required to study two at least two languages (as part of their multilingual profile), humanities, sciences, mathematics, arts, physical education and technology. In their final year, students will also undertake an independent ‘personal project’ to demonstrate the development of their skills and understanding.
Read more on the Middle Years Programme curriculum
Assessment
MYP assessment standards are consistent around the world. In order to maintain the rigour for which the IB is renowned, the MYP assessment model is criterion-related. Teachers structure varied and valid assessment tasks so that students can demonstrate achievement according to objectives defined by the IB. Tasks are assessed against established criteria, not against the work of other students.
Read more on the Middle Years Programme assessment process
Quality assurance and professional development
Any school, or group of schools, wishing to offer one or more International Baccalaureate programmes as an IB World School must first be authorized. The requirements are the same for all schools, and the procedure is designed to ensure that schools are well prepared to implement the programme(s) successfully. All IB World Schools are required to participate in an ongoing process of review and development, using the same programme standards and practices.
As part of its ongoing commitment to the development of a highly skilled global learning community, the IB provides a wide range of high-quality professional development opportunities to help new, experienced and expert school leaders and educators understand, support, and successfully deliver IB programmes reflecting IB standards and practices.
Find out more
Become an IB World School
To take the first steps in becoming an IB World School authorized to offer the Middle Years Programme, please read the information on the Become an IB World School page.
Promotional publications
IB promotional publications are available, both to view online and to download. Visit the promotional publications page for more.
Recognition
The Middle Years Programme: Preparing students for university in the 21st century explains what the IB Middle Years Programme is in terms of curriculum, assessment, and research.
This is available as a downloadable pdf document [9.42mb, PDF]
