Full IB Diploma Option
Students in the full IB Diploma at GSS take three IB DP Core courses, three Standard Level (SL) subjects and three Higher Level (HL) subjects. HL and SL courses differ in scope but are measured according to the same grade descriptors. At Higher Level, students are expected to demonstrate a greater body of knowledge, understanding and skills. All courses are taken over two years (grades 11 and 12).
Full IB Diploma students choose one course from each of the following subject groups:
- Studies in Language & Literature
- Language Acquisition
- Individuals & Societies
- Sciences
- Mathematics
- The Arts
Note: Instead of a course in the Arts, students may opt to study an additional Sciences, Individuals and Societies, or Languages course.
IB DP Course Option
Students may choose individual IB DP courses in order to meet their personal learning needs. Individual IB DP Course students will be permitted where space is available.
IB Diploma Courses at GSS
The following IB Diploma courses are offered at GSS. However, please note that some courses are scheduled in the same block, so not all course combinations can be accommodated. More scheduling information is available on the IB DP Application document.
Diploma Core
Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS)
Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature
Language A: Literature – School Supported Self Taught (SSST) SL – any language; a Group 2 option for bilingual students; see Note below.
Group 2: Language Acquisition
French Ab Initio SL – for beginner French students
Note: Students may choose to take Language A: Literature SSST instead of a French course. Students must be fluent in the language in order to succeed in a Language A: Literature course. A bilingual Diploma is awarded to students who successfully complete English A: Literature and Language A: Literature SSST.
Group 3: Individuals and Societies
Group 4: Sciences
Note: Physics 11 is needed for admission to most university Science faculties, so we recommend that science-focused students take Physics 11 in grade 10. Alternately, we recommend that they take it at Summer School or online.
Group 5: Mathematics
Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches SL
Group 6: The Arts
Note: Instead of a course in the Arts, students may opt to study an additional Sciences, Individuals and Societies, or Languages course.
Online Courses
Students may choose to complete certain courses online through Pamoja Education, the only provider approved by the International Baccalaureate Organization to teach courses online for the IB Diploma. The cost per year to students ranges from $1200 to $1400 USD per course.
Transfer Credit at Universities
Some universities may grant full first year credit to students who earn a minimum level of achievement in the full IB Diploma. Some universities may grant first year course credit to students who earn a minimum level of achievement in individual HL IB courses. Check with each university website to see if course credit may be granted for IB courses.
British Columbia Universities
You can view the transfer credit information for SFU, UVic, and UBC on these pages: Simon Fraser University – University of Victoria – University of British Columbia.
You can search for individual IB course transfer credit at all BC institutions here.