The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP) represents much more than a simple academic stage. It is a way of learning that encourages students to look further, ask questions, and make connections between what they are studying with the real world. It is a demanding yet enriching path that greatly helps students discover who they are, what interests them, and how far they can go.
At Yago School Málaga, we believe the IB is especially valuable because it promotes autonomy, research, time management, and a broader worldview, while offering students the tools to succeed. Furthermore, they will discover their passions and be able to confidently face an increasingly competitive future. Discover this programme.
What is the IB Diploma Programme (IB DP)?
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) is designed for students aged 16 to 19 (typically 15 to 18 in Spain) and is one of the most recognized pre-university qualifications in the world. It is a rigorous, balanced curriculum aimed at the holistic development of students, with final exams that ensure excellent preparation for both university and adult life.
Unlike other programmes, the IB DP addresses the intellectual, social, emotional, and physical dimensions of student well-being. Its main goal is to cultivate internationally minded individuals, prepared to participate actively and ethically in an increasingly global and changing society.
A Programme Recognized by the World’s Best Universities
The International Baccalaureate is recognized and respected by prestigious universities worldwide, which value the academic rigor, autonomy, and critical skills developed by IB students.
However, the value of the IB Diploma Programme goes far beyond university entry: it shapes well-rounded, ethical, and balanced individuals with the capacity to make responsible decisions, face challenges with resilience, and contribute positively to society. At Yago School Málaga, we understand that academic success is meaningless without the personal and human development that accompanies it.
We offer the IB Diploma Programme entirely in English, guaranteeing complete linguistic immersion that enhances our students’ communicative competence, autonomy, and confidence in a truly international environment.
Goals and Benefits of the IB DP
The IB aims to develop young people who strive to be:
- Inquirers, with curiosity and a passion for lifelong learning.
- Knowledgeable, with a strong foundation of understanding.
- Thinkers, capable of analyzing and solving problems with critical judgment.
- Good Communicators, expressing themselves clearly and confidently in more than one language.
- Principled, committed to honesty and justice.
- Open-minded, respectful of other cultures and perspectives.
- Risk-takers (Courageous), willing to face new challenges.
- Caring, empathetic and committed to the community.
- Balanced, aware of the importance of physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
- Reflective, able to evaluate their own strengths and areas for improvement.
These principles form the IB Learner Profile, an educational model that extends beyond academic knowledge, shaping confident, responsible individuals with a truly global mindset.
Approaches to Learning (ATL) are the core learning skills that students build across every subject. These skills empower learners to become independent, organized, reflective, effective, self-directed learners, qualities that last a lifetime.
Thinking Skills
Students learn to analyze ideas, solve problems creatively, evaluate evidence, and think critically. They become flexible thinkers who can approach challenges from multiple perspectives.
Communication Skills
Learners practice speaking, writing, and presenting with clarity and purpose. They develop the ability to express complex ideas and understand others effectively.
Social Skills
Students collaborate in groups, build positive relationships, and learn how to work respectfully with diverse peers. They develop empathy, leadership, and teamwork.
Self-Management Skills
Time management, organization, mindfulness, and resilience are central. Students learn to balance responsibilities, meet deadlines, and stay focused.
Research Skills
Learners gather, assess, and use information reliably. They learn how to ask good questions, investigate deeply, and use sources ethically.
Structure of the Diploma Programme
The IB DP combines academic rigor with practical and reflective learning. Students:
- Study subjects from six groups covering areas such as Language and Literature, Language Acquisition, Individuals and Societies, Sciences, Mathematics, and The Arts.
- Study at least two languages, promoting intercultural understanding.
- Participate in the Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course, where they reflect on the nature of knowledge and how we acquire it.
- Complete an Extended Essay (EE), an independent research paper on a topic of personal interest.
- Develop the Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) programme, which enhances their social commitment, initiative, and personal development.
Yago School Málaga: International and Personalized Education
At Yago School Málaga, we are proud to be part of the IB World School network, offering an international educational experience in a close, modern, and motivating environment.
Our IB Diploma Programme in English prepares students not only for entry into the world’s top universities but also to grow into ethical, committed, and conscious individuals capable of leading with empathy and critical judgment in a global world.
Yago School Málaga combines academic excellence, educational innovation, and personalized support. Our commitment is to help every student develop their full potential and become a secure, balanced person, well-prepared to successfully face the challenges of the future. Contact us.
