How the IBDP Opens Doors to Universities Worldwide

IB Diploma Programme

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), first established in 1968, is a comprehensive and rigorous two-year curriculum, leading to final examinations for pupils aged between 16 and 19. The IBDP offers a broad programme, with students choosing six subjects balancing language, humanities, sciences, mathematics and creative & performing arts. Three of these subject choices must be at Higher Level (HL), with the remainder at Standard Level (SL). This provision is further enhanced by the study of a core element comprised of an Extended Essay (EE), the Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course and Creativity, Activity & Service (CAS). The IBDP is scored out of 45 points (with each subject choice awarded a maximum of 7 points and the core allocated a total of 3 points).

Wellington College International Pune (WCI Pune) offers the IBDP curriculum for Years 12 and 13 (Grades 11 and 12), following a 2-year Cambridge IGCSE programme for the senior students. The academic and holistic excellence of the International Baccalaureate explains WCI Pune’s adoption of the IBDP, supported through Wellington College UK’s status as one of the leading IB schools in the UK.

IBDP Benefits

International Mindedness: from its inception, the IB has sought to develop inquiring students to become compassionate and lifelong learners, who will make a difference globally. The IB learner profile, focusing on the 10 attributes valued by IB schools (such as being ‘Thinkers’, ‘Principled’, ‘Risk-Takers’ and ‘Reflective’), explicitly notes how the central objective of IB programmes is ‘to develop internationally minded people who, recognising their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world.’ For WCI Pune, the IB Mission chimes with the Wellington vision of ‘pioneering education to serve and help shape a better world’ – the IBDP neatly enhances our own cultural values at Wellington.

Breadth of education: the IBDP offers a broad and challenging educational experience. In comparison to some other courses, students need to tackle a wider academic range of subjects; in essence, a student naturally predisposed to sciences is challenged to learn a foreign language and a natural linguist in turn assimilates laboratory procedures! The long-term skill set of students is heightened through their IBDP preparation.

Holistic Perspective: In the IB, the aim is to educate the whole person and foster responsible, and compassionate, global citizens. Through studying the TOK and EE core components, students develop their critical thinking and research skills, preparing them well for university pathways. In addition, the Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) involves taking part in over 150 hours of non-academic activity (such as community service or sustainability projects, and sports or musical productions) with a reflective writing component, meaning students really do learn beyond the classroom.

University Admissions with IBDP

In the UK and globally the IBDP is recognised as one of the leading pre-university qualifications. WCI Pune will build upon Wellington College UK’s reputation, with pupils consistently gaining entry to Ivy League and Oxbridge / Russell Group Universities. This is largely based upon outstanding achievements in their IBDP provision. For instance, In the summer 2024 examination session, Wellington College UK’s cohort of 120 IBDP students achieved an average of 38.4 points, with a core average of 2.3. These outcomes placed the College well above both the global and UK averages, exemplified by 44% of the cohort achieving 40 points or more in total. The strength of the IBDP in providing university entry is demonstrated by 88% of Wellington UK pupils gaining entry into their first-choice university in 2024.

It is clear that the IBDP is an exceptional pathway for entry to the world’s leading university institutions.

IBDP vs other Curricula

The IBDP is often compared to the A-level programme, with the former offering greater depth and the latter (with fewer subjects to study) providing enhanced specificity. In general terms, it’s the difference between the classic ‘all rounder’ perspective and the A-level focus on excellence in specific subjects.

In truth, both the IBDP and the A-level have exceptional track records and are the gold standard for pre-university qualifications; they can cater to differing skill-sets and families should reflect carefully on which provision is better suited for their son/daughter.

For Wellington College Pune we are convinced that the broad, holistic, outlook of the IBDP aligns perfectly with our own internationalism and the established pedigree of results at other Wellington Colleges worldwide. The launch of WCI Pune’s IBDP status from August 2025 is an exciting moment in the school’s trajectory!