IBDP Elective Curriculum

The IBDP curriculum sets out the requirements for study of the Diploma Programme. The curriculum is made up of the DP core (as described above) and six subject groups.

The six subject groups are:

• Studies in language and literature
• Language acquisition
• Individuals and societies
• Sciences
• Mathematics
• The arts.

There are different courses within each subject group.

Choosing subjects in the IBDP
Students are required to choose one subject from each of the six subject groups. Should students not be interested in studying a subject in The Arts, they may opt to study a second subject from the science or individuals and societies groups.

Students are required to enrol in four higher level and two standard level subjects in Semester 1, Year 11. From Semester 2, Year 11 students are permitted to study three higher level subjects and three standard level subjects.

Higher level (HL) and standard level (SL) subjects differ in scope, but are assessed against the same grade descriptors, with students expected to demonstrate a greater body of knowledge, understanding and skills at higher level.

Standard level subjects include 150 hours of teaching over two years. Higher level subjects comprise 240 teaching hours over the two years.

Subjects offered at Radford College
The following subjects are offered at Radford College. If there is insufficient interest to warrant a class, some subjects may not be available.

Assessment
Students are assessed on their completion of internal assessment throughout the two-year period, and sit external examinations at the end of Year 12. At Radford, students will sit their exams in the November session and receive their results in January the following year. Students will receive academic reports at the end of each semester, and have the option of changing to the BSSS system at the end of Semester 1, Year 11.

Student work is assessed against achievement standards and grade descriptors. Student results are not scaled, based on rank order.

Each subject is marked on a seven-point scale. The extended essay and theory of knowledge components of the core contribute a maximum of three points, bringing the total IB points that a student can score to 45. This equates to an ATAR of 99.95, which is the maximum any student studying either the BSSS system or IBDP can score.