Senior Secondary

• Years 12 & 13

In September of 2005 AJA commenced the International Baccalaureate Organisation’s Diploma Programme. The IB Diploma Programme is a demanding two year, pre-university course of study that leads to examinations. The Diploma Programme is for highly motivated students aged 16 to 19.

Many British institutions and universities champion IB Diploma Programme graduates over those with the British ‘A’ and ‘AS’ Levels. American universities generally grant up to one year’s transfer of credit for students achieving sufficiently high results. Within the Middle East, a high proportion of universities, recognise and prefer graduates of the IB Diploma Programme.

Students receive the award of the IB Diploma provided they complete six subjects over the full two years. All students must study one subject from each of the following six groups:

1. Language A1 (English and its literature)
2. Additional Language (Arabic, French or Spanish)
3. Individuals and Society (Geography, Economics, Information Technology in a Global Society, History, and Business and Management)
4. Experimental Science (Chemistry, Biology and Physics)
5. Mathematics (Mathematical Studies and Mathematical Methods)
6. Arts (Visual Arts and Music or one, elective from either group 2, 3 and 4)

For the two years, each student chooses three subjects at the Higher Level (240 contact hours) and three at the Standard Level (150 contact hours).

In addition to the six academic subjects, all students are required to study Theory of Knowledge (an interdisciplinary course in critical reflection), to take part in the Creativity, Action and Service programme, and to submit an Extended Essay written on a topic from within one of their chosen academic subjects.