The IBDP is an advanced two-year course of study designed to prepare students for University and life. Its founders recognized the need to create a college preparatory curriculum with high standards which is recognized around the world.Since its inception in 1968, the IBDP has grown to include over 5,400 schools in 158 countries. In Feb 2021, there were 174,355 full IB Diploma students. In addition, there are trained IB examiners who assess student work, and help to maintain the internal grading consistency that has become the trademark of the IB system.

While the Programme is not designed exclusively for elite or gifted academic students, the decision to pursue several IB Certificates, or the IB Diploma, is most appropriate for those students who are highly motivated, open-minded and extremely responsible.