Independent and international schools, and students, celebrate IB results

The latest results of the International Baccalaureate (IB) provide rankings for top educational establishments around the world.

acs egham students celebrating ib graducation 2019

ACS Egham IB graduation ceremony

The International Baccalaureate (IB) results for 2019 released today (July 5), reveal that over 169,000 students from across the world received their Diploma (DP) and Career-related Programme (CP) results. Global popularity of the IB as an internationally recognised qualification continues to grow and these students will join a community of over 1.85 million graduates in 153 countries who have benfitted from the educational rigour of the IB programme. The figures mark a two per cent increase on last year. To deliver these results, the IB processed more than 623,000 examination papers in 72 languages. Over 13,700 examiners across the world worked together to establish accurate, internationally-benchmarked grading criteria across subjects, and ensure consistency throughout the evaluation process.Dr Siva Kumari, IB Director General said, “I extend heartfelt congratulations to students worldwide receiving their results today. They have shown a thirst for knowledge, a determination to succeed and a conviction in their ability to take on their next best step equipped with high quality preparation.”Congratulations to all students around the world receiving their IB results today.

What is the International Baccalaureate (IB)? 

The International Baccalaureate is a curriculum that caters for students aged from three to 19. It consists of three stages – the Primary Years Programme (PYP) (from age three to 12), the Middle Years Programme (MYP) (from age 14–16) and the Diploma (DP) (from age 16–19).The newest addition to its suite of qualifications, the Career-related programme was introduced in 2012. It is a post-16 qualification that incorporates vocational study into the academic curriculum.

International Guide to Education & Schools 2017
Find out more about the IB DP and how it compares to A levels in the Relocate Guide to International Education & Schools. ***2019/20 edition coming soon!***


The IB is increasingly popular with relocating families owing to its academic reputation and international transferability. Students study a wide range of subjects up to diploma level. The IB focuses on each student as a whole person, which means that its programmes address not only intellectual development but also social, emotional and physical progress.It is known for encouraging students to become independent learners and critical thinkers. However, it tends to suit ‘all-rounders’, so children who excel in some subjects but struggle in others can find it very challenging. The IB is taught in 4,896 schools across 153 countries.

Why is the IB a popular choice with families on a relocation?

For relocating families, the IB diploma programme offers the reassurance of a standardised and externally assessed qualification wherever it is taught in the world, which makes it a great choice for those moving frequently. “The transferrable nature of the programme provides parents and children with a vital continuity of learning, giving reassurance, certainty and stability when changing countries,” explains a spokesperson for the Inter-Community School Zurich, an IB World school offering the PYP, MYP and DP.
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It is the skills and global mind-set that the IB programme nurtures that makes it highly attractive to globally mobile families.“The IB places a high importance on developing skills and attitudes,” says Linda Belonje, director of marketing and development at KIS International School in Thailand. “When students are regularly transferring from one school to another, the content (even within the same curriculum) may not always be the same, but the ability to think critically, to learn independently, to work together with others, to analyse your research, to solve problems and to take responsibility for your own learning are all transferable and allow easy transition from an IB school into any other school.” 

Examining the benefits of the IB

Evidence also suggests that the IB prepares students very well for the independent thinking and research skills required at university, something that the IB’s general director, Siva Kumari, was quick to point out as the 2018 results were released.“Research suggests that an IB diploma is the best preparation for further education and for future careers. IB graduates show continued curiosity and critical thinking throughout their lives. These are the skills of the future, as both universities and employers attest. I wish this year’s graduates all the best for the future and for making a better world through education,” she said.

Are you looking for a school offering the International Baccalaureate?

Schools like these will be able to help you with your relocation requirements over the summer and into the next academic year.ACS Cobham International SchoolAmerican School of The HagueAustralian International School SingaporeBangkok Patana SchoolBox Hill SchoolBerlin Brandenburg International SchoolBritish International School of Chicago, Lincoln ParkBritish School of BrusselsInternational School of London, SurreyKent College CanterburyMarlborough College MalaysiaMarymount International School RomeMunich International SchoolThe Newman SchoolPathways Schools GurgaonSevenoaks SchoolShanghai Community International SchoolSt. George's British International SchoolStamford American International SchoolTASIS The American School in EnglandThe York School

Schools around the world celebrate academic achievement

Find out more about how prestigious private and international schools and students performed in the 2019 IB examsThis article was revised on 5 July 2019 to reflect the most recent IB results.