IB Diploma Curriculum
To have dreams, find her voice, speak her mind, make a choice.
In the IB Diploma Programme we prepare students for university and to make an impact on the world. In Year 11 and 12, students select whether to follow the BSSS or IB DP pathway. The DP is a two-year commitment where students study six subjects, one from each of the subject groups. The IB DP differs to the MYP as it has specific curriculum content. It is regulated by the IB, an external body to guarantee the delivery of the programme meets global standards and all teachers delivering the content must be specifically trained by the IB to deliver the content.
Download here: 2026-IB-DP-Handbook
Please note, this is subject to student demand and teacher availability
Is the DP for me?
Here are some reasons why the IB Diploma Programme may not be a good choice for a student:
- Students are passionate about specific subjects that are not offered in the IB DP
- Students want vocational subjects.
- Students do not want to study 6 subjects for the two years, you want the option of dropping a subject.
- Students do not want to complete the additional components of the programme – CAS, TOK, EE.
How does the DP compare with the BSSS at Merici?
Student rankings
IB Diploma
Students are Ranked Globally
It is possible for all students in a class to achieve the highest score.
BSS
Ranked within Merici Classes
Tertiary students are ranked against each other in their subjects.
Curriculum
IB Diploma
Broad Curriculum
Students have to select one subject from each subject group (6 subject groups).
BSS
Allows a Narrow Focus
While there are some required subjects (English and Religion), students can select subjects in one area e.g. 3 sciences or3 arts subjects.
Recognition
IB Diploma
Highly Regarded and Recognised Internationally
International and Australian Universities know IB DP students bring more than academic performance, through their Extended Essay TOK and CAS requirements.
BSS
ATAR is Recognised Overseas
If you’re studying the HSC, BSSS or any other equivalent local curriculum, you can use your ATAR rank as part of your application to international universities like Harvard and Oxford.
Assessments
IB Diploma
Assessment at the End
Merici set assessment doesn't count towards the final awarding of the DP. It is practice for the final exams. Students have 2 years to practice before sitting exams in Year 12.
BSS
Ongoing Assessment Across 2 Years
Students complete assessment items set by their class teachers every semester that count to their course scores. Generally this is 3-4 items per semester, per subject.
ATAR
IB Diploma
Get an ATAR Conversion
Students do not sit AST test. The IB score out of 45 is used to convert to an ATAR equivalent.
BSS
Sit AST and Get an ATAR
Tertiary students must sit the AST (Advanced Skills Test) in Year 12.
Passing or Failing
IB Diploma
Students can Fail the Diploma
The passing score is 24 out of 45 to gain the Diploma. There are also rules about the number of points in Higher Level Subjects, Success in the Core etc.
BSS
Students can Void BSSS Units
Students can void units by non-attendance, non completion of assessment tasks. They can also get very low score that could affect their University choices.
Ranking
IB Diploma
Does Not Get Affected by Your Cohort’s Ability
Students are not ranked locally, so results are not dependent on other students in the school.
BSS
Performance of Other Students at Merici Affect your Scores
Course scores are scaled, based on the AST results of all students in that scaling group.
Subjects
IB Diploma
All Subjects Count
All your subjects you must study across the 2 years. All contribute to your DP score. You cannot change subjects after 3 weeks of starting.
BSS
You Can Drop and Change Subjects
As you progress through the 2 years, your package will be reviewed based on performance, and you may be allowed to drop a subject or change it for another.
Resources
IB Diploma
Lots of Resources Available
As the IB DP is a global programme, there are many resources, such as textbooks, test papers and study guides to aid revision available.
BSS
Limited / No BSSS Specific Resources
Teachers put together resources for each course from a variety of sources. There are no set text books published for BSSS courses.
Curriculum
IB Diploma
Internationally Set Curriculum
The DP curriculum is provided to teachers by the IB. There is set content to study and content is internationally minded.
BSS
School Based Curriculum
Teachers have flexibility to emphasise some content descriptions over others. Teachers have an opportunity to develop courses for implementation across ACT schools.
Scoring
IB Diploma
HL and SL Subjects Equally Contribute
All subjects are scored on a 1-7 scale. 7 is the highest. All are equally counted towards the total score out of 45, with 3 bonus points from TOK and EE.
BSS
Best Scoring Subjects Count
Your ATAR is made up of your best scoring subjects.
Assessment
IB Diploma
Externally Assessed
Assessed by people at the IB. (Except Internal Assessment, which is marked by teachers, then sent to IB for moderation).
BSS
Assessed by Merici Classroom Teachers
Teachers write assessment and then mark the assessments for students in each subject. Moderation is done with other teachers.
Additional Courses
IB Diploma
Has a Unique Theory of Knowledge Course
In addition to their 6 subjects, students study 100 hours of ToK. Students reflect on the nature of knowledge, and on how we know what we claim to know.
BSS
Students can Select Vocational Courses
Students can undertake a nationally recognised Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification while completing their Senior Secondary Certificate Extended Essay Develops Skills for University All students must complete a 4000 word research report supported by a subject specialist supervisor. Externally Assessed Assessed by people at the IB. (Except Internal Assessment, which is marked by teachers, then sent to IB for moderation). HL and SL Subjects Equally Contribute All subjects are scored on a 1-7 scale. 7 is the highest. All are equally counted towards the total score out of 45, with 3 bonus points from TOK and EE. Has a Unique Theory of Knowledge Course In addition to their 6 subjects, students study 100 hours of ToK. Students reflect on the nature of knowledge, and on how we know what we claim to know.
Course structure
IB Diploma
Every Student Completes a combination of Higher Level and Standard Level subjects (Usually 3 HL and 3 SL).
Every Student Completes a combination of Higher Level and Standard Level subjects (Usually 3 HL and 3 SL).
BSS
Has T and A Units and Courses
T units and courses are ones that the BSSS has deemed suitable as a preparation for Tertiary Studies. A units and courses are ones deemed appropriate for studies at the Year 11 and 12 level.
Research Requirements
IB Diploma
Extended Essay Develops Skills for University
All students must complete a 4000 word research report supported by a subject specialist supervisor.
BSS
Elect to Study an H Course
H courses can be studied which can contribute to points for the ATAR and can be recognised towards an undergraduate degree with that provider.
| IB Diploma | BSSS | |
|---|---|---|
Student rankings |
Students are Ranked Globally
It is possible for all students in a class to achieve the highest score.
|
Ranked within Merici Classes
Tertiary students are ranked against each other in their subjects.
|
Curriculum |
Broad Curriculum
Students have to select one subject from each subject group (6 subject groups).
|
Allows a Narrow Focus
While there are some required subjects (English and Religion), students can select subjects in one area e.g. 3 sciences or3 arts subjects.
|
Recognition |
Highly Regarded and Recognised Internationally
International and Australian Universities know IB DP students bring more than academic performance, through their Extended Essay TOK and CAS requirements.
|
ATAR is Recognised Overseas
If you’re studying the HSC, BSSS or any other equivalent local curriculum, you can use your ATAR rank as part of your application to international universities like Harvard and Oxford.
|
Assessments |
Assessment at the End
Merici set assessment doesn't count towards the final awarding of the DP. It is practice for the final exams. Students have 2 years to practice before sitting exams in Year 12.
|
Ongoing Assessment Across 2 Years
Students complete assessment items set by their class teachers every semester that count to their course scores. Generally this is 3-4 items per semester, per subject.
|
ATAR |
Get an ATAR Conversion
Students do not sit AST test. The IB score out of 45 is used to convert to an ATAR equivalent.
|
Sit AST and Get an ATAR
Tertiary students must sit the AST (Advanced Skills Test) in Year 12.
|
Passing or Failing |
Students can Fail the Diploma
The passing score is 24 out of 45 to gain the Diploma. There are also rules about the number of points in Higher Level Subjects, Success in the Core etc.
|
Students can Void BSSS Units
Students can void units by non-attendance, non completion of assessment tasks. They can also get very low score that could affect their University choices.
|
Ranking |
Does Not Get Affected by Your Cohort’s Ability
Students are not ranked locally, so results are not dependent on other students in the school.
|
Performance of Other Students at Merici Affect your Scores
Course scores are scaled, based on the AST results of all students in that scaling group.
|
Subjects |
All Subjects Count
All your subjects you must study across the 2 years. All contribute to your DP score. You cannot change subjects after 3 weeks of starting.
|
You Can Drop and Change Subjects
As you progress through the 2 years, your package will be reviewed based on performance, and you may be allowed to drop a subject or change it for another.
|
Resources |
Lots of Resources Available
As the IB DP is a global programme, there are many resources, such as textbooks, test papers and study guides to aid revision available.
|
Limited / No BSSS Specific Resources
Teachers put together resources for each course from a variety of sources. There are no set text books published for BSSS courses.
|
Curriculum |
Internationally Set Curriculum
The DP curriculum is provided to teachers by the IB. There is set content to study and content is internationally minded.
|
School Based Curriculum
Teachers have flexibility to emphasise some content descriptions over others. Teachers have an opportunity to develop courses for implementation across ACT schools.
|
Scoring |
HL and SL Subjects Equally Contribute
All subjects are scored on a 1-7 scale. 7 is the highest. All are equally counted towards the total score out of 45, with 3 bonus points from TOK and EE.
|
Best Scoring Subjects Count
Your ATAR is made up of your best scoring subjects.
|
Assessment |
Externally Assessed
Assessed by people at the IB. (Except Internal Assessment, which is marked by teachers, then sent to IB for moderation).
|
Assessed by Merici Classroom Teachers
Teachers write assessment and then mark the assessments for students in each subject. Moderation is done with other teachers.
|
Additional Courses |
Has a Unique Theory of Knowledge Course
In addition to their 6 subjects, students study 100 hours of ToK. Students reflect on the nature of knowledge, and on how we know what we claim to know.
|
Students can Select Vocational Courses
Students can undertake a nationally recognised Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification while completing their Senior Secondary Certificate Extended Essay Develops Skills for University All students must complete a 4000 word research report supported by a subject specialist supervisor. Externally Assessed Assessed by people at the IB. (Except Internal Assessment, which is marked by teachers, then sent to IB for moderation). HL and SL Subjects Equally Contribute All subjects are scored on a 1-7 scale. 7 is the highest. All are equally counted towards the total score out of 45, with 3 bonus points from TOK and EE. Has a Unique Theory of Knowledge Course In addition to their 6 subjects, students study 100 hours of ToK. Students reflect on the nature of knowledge, and on how we know what we claim to know.
|
Course structure |
Every Student Completes a combination of Higher Level and Standard Level subjects (Usually 3 HL and 3 SL).
Every Student Completes a combination of Higher Level and Standard Level subjects (Usually 3 HL and 3 SL).
|
Has T and A Units and Courses
T units and courses are ones that the BSSS has deemed suitable as a preparation for Tertiary Studies. A units and courses are ones deemed appropriate for studies at the Year 11 and 12 level.
|
Research Requirements |
Extended Essay Develops Skills for University
All students must complete a 4000 word research report supported by a subject specialist supervisor.
|
Elect to Study an H Course
H courses can be studied which can contribute to points for the ATAR and can be recognised towards an undergraduate degree with that provider.
|
