IB: International Baccalaureate in New Zealand for international students

New Zealand is a country with a beautiful unique nature, where stunning national parks and reserves are located, occupies the top positions in world rankings and is among the top 10 countries with the highest standard of living. Studying at the schools in New Zealand guarantees the best world-class education with the opportunity to build a successful career in the future. More than 30,000 foreign students annually strive to enroll in educational institutions of the country, where they can perfectly learn English, get excellent academic education and have an exciting time.

Most foreign students prefer to enrol in secondary and high school programs. The New Zealand education system is very flexible, because a foreign student can enrol in a private school at any time and for any program. In New Zealand, children study 13 grades, of which from 1 to 11 are mandatory, and the last two years are optional: they are chosen by those who intend to enter higher education institutions.

The school year begins in late January-early February and lasts until mid-December, so Christmas and New Year celebrations fall during the summer holidays in New Zealand. The academic year is divided into 4 quarters of 9-11 weeks each. There are holidays between quarters, lasting 2 weeks. By the way, holidays are a time of rest not only for students, but also for teachers.

The start and end times of lessons in different schools may vary slightly. Lessons in elementary school (up to grade 9) as a rule, they start at 8:50 and end at 14:45. During the school day, children have at least two breaks for food and rest. Food is mostly brought with them from home. Many schools offer ready-made lunch options from various suppliers. Most often these are sandwiches, sushi or pizza.

The International Baccalaureate is a recognized leader in international educational programs. It is represented by three coordinated programs for students from 3 to 19 years old:

• Primary School Program (PYP) for children aged 5 to 11 years;
• The Middle Years Program (MYP) for children aged 11 to 16 years;
• The High school program (Diploma Program, IB) for students aged 16-19 years.

The Diploma program includes the following blocks in New Zealand schools:

• Six subjects for compulsory studying;
• Detailed essay (scientific thesis) up to 4000 words;
• A mandatory subject for study is the Theory of Cognition (a combined course of various disciplines and skills for the practical application of theoretical knowledge in life).

Each student enrolled in the Diploma program is recommended to spend 150 hours developing creative skills, developing physical fitness and charitable activities.

Each subject is evaluated according to a seven-point system, where 7 is the highest score. An additional three points can be obtained for an excellent thesis and for a project on the Theory of Cognition. 45 points is the maximum possible result that a student can get while studying for a Diploma program. To obtain an International Baccalaureate Diploma, a student must score at least 24 points.

The prestigious schools in New Zealand not only provide fundamental knowledge in all subjects, but also organize useful, interesting extracurricular activities for the international students. There are professional sports sections for any choice:

• Squash
• Badminton
• Football
• Rugby
• Water sports
• Horse riding
• Cricket.

The creative direction is represented by the following activities:

• Theatre
• Art Studio
• Choral singing
• Dance groups.

A mandatory part of the school curriculum is teaching children to swim. Some prestigious schools have their own swimming pool for classes, while others take students to the nearest city pool in the warmer months. In addition, music lessons are commonplace, where children not only sing, but also learn to play various musical instruments, theater and dance clubs, football teams.

Kevin McDonnell

Specialist in International Students of the University of Sussex

What advice would you give to potential students before applying to an university?

Be proactive and start your application early, ideally almost a year in advance. Seek recommendations from your teachers and academic advisors. The earlier you apply, the more time universities have to consider your application, and the more time you have to explore your options and make an informed decision.

The TOP schools in New Zealand provide high quality preparation in the international program IB, which cost of studying starts from 34,000 USD per year.

For enrolment, the foreign students need to provide the following documents:

• Cover letter
• Extract with school grades
• Knowledge of English at a high level (IELTS or TOEFL certificate)
• Motivation letter
• Testing
• Interview.

• St Cuthbert’s College
• ACG Parnell College
• Macleans College
• Diocesan School For Girls
• Scots College
• Auckland International College
• Auckland Grammar School
• Queen Margaret College
• Samuel Marsden Collegiate School
• St Margaret's College.

The IB (International Baccalaureate) program is an international education program designed for students aged 16-19 years. The IB program offers a wide range of subjects and emphasizes the development of critical thinking skills, research and intercultural understanding. In New Zealand it is recognized and widely used, opening the door to higher education around the world.

There are several schools in New Zealand that offer the IB program. Examples of such schools are Auckland Grammar School, St. Cuthbert's College and King's College in Auckland. However, it is worth noting that the availability of the IB program may vary in different regions of the country.

The IB program usually lasts two years and is intended for students aged 16-19 years.

The IB program includes six compulsory subjects, including language and literature, foreign language, mathematics, science, social studies and art. These subjects can be studied at Standard Level (SL) or Advanced Level (HL).

IB students are assessed through internal and external assessments. External assessments include exams, coursework and essays. Scores are given on a scale from 1 to 7, with 7 being the highest score.

Yes, successful completion of the IB program provides graduates with access to universities in New Zealand and overseas. The IB program is recognized by many universities and is considered good preparation for further higher education.

To receive an IB diploma, students must also complete a creative project (Creativity, Activity, Service, CAS), which includes participation in a variety of events, including public ones, and write an essay (Extended Essay) on a given topic.

Yes, it is possible, but switching to the IB program may require additional study and effort to achieve the level of preparation required for the IB program. Schools providing the IB program may have their own rules and requirements for transfer.

Competition for admission to the IB program can be intense as places are limited. Students are also required to have a high level of academic preparation. Schools often select students based on their previous academic performance and entrance exam results.

Generally, a good knowledge of English is required to enroll in the IB program, as most subjects are taught in English. Study of a foreign language and literature is also required.