What is the IB Diploma Programme? The Complete Guide

Cambridge, Imperial College, NYU, Sciences Po, Polytechnique, McGill... Each year, our Diploma Programmestudents enrol in the world's most selective universities. How? Through a programme that develops far more than subject knowledge: autonomy, critical thinking, research methodology and personal engagement. At Ermitage International School Paris, France's third top-performing IB school, we support each student through this internationally recognised programme of excellence. 

A Mobile World, a Universal Qualification

Professional relocations, expatriations, international moves: families living globally face a significant educational challenge. How can you ensure academic continuity for your children whilst preparing them for a globalised future? For all families, the question also arises: which qualification will offer my child the best university opportunities, both in France and internationally?
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP), stands out as a compelling solution. With more than 200,000 candidates worldwide in 2025, this qualification offers a universal educational framework, recognised by the best universities, while ensuring educational continuity for mobile students. Complementary to the French Baccalaureate, the DP develops autonomy, critical thinking and cross-disciplinary skills essential for succeeding in higher education.

The International Baccalaureate is founded on holistic student development: critical thinking, autonomy, intellectual curiosity and methodological rigour. The DP educates young people to analyse complex issues and engage responsibly in an interconnected world.

The Diploma Programme: Structure and Philosophy
Six Subject Groups
The DP is built on a balanced and demanding structure. Each student studies six subjects distributed across the following groups:
Group 1: Language and Literature (main language of study)
Group 2: Language Acquisition (language learnt)
Group 3: Individuals and Societies (Business, History, Economics, Psychology, etc.)
Group 4: Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, etc.)
Group 5: Mathematics
Group 6: The Arts (Music, Theatre, Visual Arts, etc.) or an additional subject
Three subjects are studied at Higher Level (240 hours) and three at Standard Level (150 hours), allowing each student to personalise their pathway according to their strengths and university aspirations.

The Core: What Sets the DP Apart
What truly distinguishes the DP is its “Core”, comprising three unique elements:

• Theory of Knowledge (TOK): a course that teaches students to question preconceived ideas, compare different points of view, and understand how knowledge is constructed.
• Extended Essay: a 4,000-word personal research paper that allows students to explore a subject they are passionate about and prepare themselves concretely for university demands.
• CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service): 150 hours of engagement combining creative projects, sporting activities and community service. At Ermitage International School Paris, students organise initiatives for the Food Bank and Secours Catholique, participate in sporting events raising cancer fighting awareness, and spend time with elderly people.

Assessment combines final examinations and continuous assessment (maximum 45 points), ensuring global recognition of the level achieved.

Why Choose the DP? The Concrete Benefits
Exceptional Recognition
The DP is valued by the world's most prestigious universities for the intellectual rigour and academic maturity of its graduates. At Ermitage International School Paris, France's third top-performing IB school for DP results in 2025, 100% of students are admitted to their first-choice university: Durham, Cambridge, Imperial College London, NYU, Georgia Tech, Sciences Po, Polytechnique, ESSEC, McGill, Toronto, Amsterdam... This international outlook offers exceptional freedom in choosing higher education.

Solid Preparation for Higher Education
The DP develops academic writing, time management, research methodology and structured argumentation. These cross-curricular skills give students a head start at university. Beyond academic results, the programme builds self-confidence, independence and a sense of responsibility.

International Continuity and Multicultural Environment
The DP's greatest asset for mobile families: its absolute continuity and transferability. A student can start in Shanghai and finish in Paris without any interruption in their education. IB classes bring together students of multiple nationalities, creating a rich learning environment. At Ermitage Paris, the 240 IB students represent more than 50 nationalities, a diversity that prepares them to thrive in a globalised world with confidence.

Ermitage: An Environment of Excellence for the Diploma Programme

While the DP provides a solid academic framework, the quality of the learning environment is crucial to success. At Ermitage International School Paris, personalised support comes to life through:

• Small class sizes for individualised attention
• Homeroom teachers who regularly monitor each student's progress
• A Wellbeing team dedicated to personal wellbeing and balance
• A Diverse Learning team to support varied learning profiles
• Close collaboration with the teaching teams enables guidance on strategic choices: selecting Higher Level subjects, defining Extended Essay topics, designing of CAS projects.

Future Pathways: Tailor-Made International Guidance

The Future Pathways team supports students from their MYP years in building their career plans: assistance with personal statements and application portfolios, interview preparation, tailored strategies for different university systems (UCAS for the United Kingdom, Common Application for the United States, Parcoursup for France), scholarship searches.

Ermitage Paris hosts an annual Global University Fair on campus, bringing together more than 100 international universities and offering students the opportunity to meet directly with higher education admissions officers.

The IB Diploma Programme represents far more than a school-leaving qualification: it is a comprehensive education preparing young people for the academic, professional and personal challenges of the 21st century. By combining intellectual rigour, development of transferable skills and international outlook, the DP equips students to flourish at the world's finest universities.

For mobile families, the DP guarantees educational continuity and excellence wherever they settle. For all families, it opens doors to prestigious universities worldwide, whilst developing the human and intellectual qualities essential for succeeding in our constantly evolving world.

Choosing the Diploma Programme means investing in your child's future by giving them the tools to forge their own path, without borders.

Ermitage International IB School Paris welcomes students aged 5 to 18 for its International Primary Programme (PYP ‘IB Candidate School’), IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP). The school is located in Maisons-Laffitte, a town surrounded by nature, just twenty minutes from central Paris.