FAQs for counsellors, students and parents

Recognition is how universities and governments view an IB education and acknowledge the accomplishments of IB students. This can come in the form of university recruitment, university admissions policies, credit/advanced placement and scholarships. University Recognition primarily concerns the Diploma Programme (DP) and Career-related Programme (CP), but also is relevant to the Middle Years Programme (MYP) in certain contexts.

As stated in the IB’s Rules for IB World Schools:

DP and CP: The IB actively promotes wide recognition and acceptance of the IB diploma and the CP certificate as a basis for entry to universities and other institutions of higher education, but the requirements of individual institutions and the relevant authorities of a country are subject to change beyond the IB’s control. Schools, therefore, have the duty to make it clear to all candidates and legal guardians … that the recognition of an IB diploma or CP certificate by a specific university and/or the relevant authorities of a specific country cannot be guaranteed. Schools are also responsible for informing candidates and legal guardians about the specific requirements (including subject choices) for recognition in all countries and universities where such requirements exist.

MYP: While the IB attempts to ensure recognition of the MYP certificate and MYP course results, it does not guarantee their acceptance by other educational institutions, whether or not these institutions are authorized by the IB or by the relevant educational authorities.

Read Rules for IB World Schools in full.

Not necessarily. A university may have a fair and comprehensive policy recognizing the achievements of Diploma Programme (DP) and Career-related Programme (CP) students—however, they still may have high minimum requirements for entry. Students and counsellors should check universities’ admission requirements. They can check via individual university websites, and in many cases, universities have included links to general admission requirements on the IB Recognition Statements Database.

IB qualifications are issued in Geneva, Switzerland.

Please note that an IB qualification is not a Swiss education credential.

The DP organizes teaching and learning through six subject groups, underpinned by the DP core. Students choose one course from each subject group. For most courses, students take written examinations at the end of the DP. In many programme areas, students complete externally assessed coursework. Read more about the DP.

The CP’s three-part framework comprises the study of at least two DP courses alongside the distinctive CP core and a career-related study.

DP courses provide the theoretical underpinning and academic rigour of the programme. The career-related study further supports the programme’s academic strength and provides applied and meaningful approaches to learning. The unique CP core is designed to create a bridge that connects each student’s chosen DP courses and career-related study. Read more about the CP.

No, the IB does not set an official “pass grade” for individual subjects. Each subject is graded on a scale from 1 (lowest) to 7 (highest). However, to be awarded the IB Diploma, students must achieve at least 24 points in total, with a minimum of 12 points at higher level and 9 points at standard level, and no more than two subjects may be awarded a grade of a 2. Read more about passing criteria.

Higher level (HL) and standard level (SL) subjects differ in scope but are measured according to the same grade descriptors, with students expected to demonstrate a greater body of knowledge, understanding and skills at higher level. Standard level subjects take up 150 teaching hours. Higher level comprises 240 teaching hours.

Each student takes a minimum of three or a maximum of four HL subjects and their remaining subjects at SL. See examples of DP subject combinations.

Visit the IB’s Recognition Statements Database to explore how governments and universities around the world recognize IB programmes. Plus, see how universities grant credit for IB course scores.

The DP builds students’ inquiring mindset and fosters their desire to learn, preparing them for higher education. DP students apply to more than 4,500 higher education institutions each year in more than 100 countries. The most popular of these institutions are ranked among the top universities in the world.

Research studies in multiple countries have shown that DP students tend to go on to tertiary study at higher rates than their peers, enrol in selective institutions and tend to perform better in their post-secondary studies, including higher rates of post-secondary completion. Read DP outcomes research.

Not necessarily. Many universities recognize students’ achievements in individual DP courses and in the core components regardless of whether the student earns the minimum 24 points.

However, students should check admission requirements with individual universities and the Recognition Statements Database. In some countries, the official recognition applies to a student achieving the full IB Diploma. DP courses may not be regarded as completing full time education.

The CP equips students with future-ready skills and prepares them to pursue further education and career pathways. For instance, CP students complete a reflective project on an ethical dilemma associated with their career-related studies. This project provides excellent preparation and experience for the kinds of undergraduate research required for further and higher education.

Research also shows that CP students tend to go on to tertiary study at higher rates than their peers, enrol in selective institutions and tend to perform better in their post-secondary studies, including higher rates of post-secondary completion. Read CP outcomes research.

Students should always check admission requirements with individual universities and the Recognition Statements Database.

Universities sometimes request pieces of student work as part of their application processes. The IB has received questions about whether coursework including extended essays and theory of knowledge, can be used for this purpose.

While the IB does not recommend it, it is possible to use coursework for purposes other than IB assessment—for example, a university application or journal publication. A school should authenticate a student’s piece of work before the student submits it as part of their university application. It is recommended that the final submission is signed by the school to ensure that the student cannot amend the piece of work in question and that the work is completed according to the IB’s academic integrity requirements.

If a student is considering using work as part of a university application, it is advised that they make sure their work can be authenticated ahead of the university’s deadline. We recommend that counsellors begin conversations with students in their second year of the DP about the following:

• whether the universities to which they would like to apply require written submissions
• what they plan to submit
• if their application plans fit the above timeline

For further questions, please speak with your programme coordinator. If you would still like more information after speaking with your coordinator, please contact the IB.

This may depend on the country where the student wishes to attend university. In countries where universities typically require age-16 qualifications, many IB World Schools offer their students the opportunity to earn the MYP certificate through the eAssessment. Additionally, a research study has found that MYP assessment is comparable to the UK’s General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) in terms of the skills and content assessed.

Most schools that offer the MYP complete all programme assessment requirements internally and use local transcripts to report student achievement, and therefore do not offer the MYP certificate or eAssessment.

No, there is no standard or externally moderated grading scale. Instead, grading scales are determined at the local level. The best practice is for IB World Schools to submit student grades in the IB’s 1–7 grading scale, as this best represents student achievement.

For universities in the USA: As part of their holistic review of applications, many universities in the USA recalculate grade point averages (GPAs) based on their own criteria and are familiar with different types of grading scales. The IB does not provide or endorse a conversion table to the USA’s A to F grading scale or the 4.0 GPA scale. Read more about supporting student applications to universities in the USA.

While many universities accept IB language courses grades as proof of language proficiency, some require additional assessments from IB students.

To help universities understand IB language courses grades, the IB commissioned a study in 2023 that found DP language courses are comparable to CEFR B2, the level most commonly required by universities. Read more about the study.

Each university has its own unique language requirement policy, so please check directly with individual universities.

The bilingual diploma provides the general benefit of demonstrating proficiency in more than one language. Go to the DP assessment page to read more about the bilingual diploma. In some cases, earning the bilingual diploma may help students in one country applying to universities in other countries that require evidence of proficiency in their languages of instruction.

Students should always check language requirements with individual universities and on the Recognition Statements Database.