International Baccalaureate is a Pre-University programme originating from Switzerland, known for being a more balanced and well-rounded pre-university course. It is considered a Year 12 qualification, which is equivalent to STPM or Malaysian Matriculation (Matrikulasi).

Also known as the IBDP (International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme), this course requires you take on a full range of subjects, including foreign language, sciences and arts, in addition to research essays and voluntary work. Your final grades are a combination of internal and external assessment.

You will be required to take 6 subjects, plus 3 core components – Extended Essay (EE), Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and Creativity, Action and Service (CAS).

Widely known to be a challenging course, IB is recommended for students who are all-rounders with good multitasking skills, as it requires students to take a wide range of subjects from various disciplines.

IB programmes in Malaysia typically require you to have at least 5 credits (C and above) at SPM, O-Level or equivalent.

In order to study IB, you will need to have an SPM qualification or equivalent.

IB programmes are often 24 months long.

After completing your IB, you can proceed to pursue your tertiary studies at degree level.

Here are some of the top advantages of studying IB:

• Recognised by many universities abroad, as well as local private universities
• Promotes critical and independent thinking
• Often recognised as being a balanced and well-rounded programme
• Exposes you to subjects from various disciplines, as well as conducting independent research

If you are having doubts whether to study International Baccalaureate or not, here are some articles that you should check out:

• Your Guide to International Baccalaureate (IB) in Malaysia
• What’s After SPM: Are You Choosing The Right Course (Infographic)
• 5 Practical Tips When Applying For College

Not sure which pre-university course you should study? Take our Course Recommender Quiz and get a recommendation in 3 minutes!