The IBCP is an excellent alternate route along with the IBDP and both adequately prepare students for university. Therefore, at AIA we pitch both the pathways to our students at the same level. Whether it is an easier, or a better pathway depends on the student’s strengths, interests, and long-term goals. Therefore, to assist students in their choice of pathway the academic team and the career counsellor works closely with me to provide personalized counselling to the students such that they are placed in the right programme based on their strengths, passion and career goals.
The IBCP course offers a balance of academic study and career-related learning. It doesn’t lower standards but gives students a different way to demonstrate readiness for university. At AIA we offer Mathematics, English Language and Language acquisition subjects to our IBCP students along with the extended BTEC in International Business level 3 which gives them both the experience of the academic courses and the vocational career related studies. We have exciting plans to extend the number of subjects on offer from the next academic year. Here at AIA, we value and strongly emphasise on the IBCP core elements (Personal and professional skills, language development, Reflective project and Service Learning), as they establish critical thinking, personal and communication skills. In the context of theses IB subject options, the vocational course, and the IBCP core students in the IB career-related programme at AIA complete challenging assessments, meet rigorous academic criteria, and develop critical thinking skills that are required in higher education.
Both programmes are challenging and equally rigorous, but the nature of the rigour varies. The rigour of the IBCP programme is rooted in the real-life application of concepts, project-based submissions and some timebound assessments. This is unlike the IBDP, where the rigor is rooted in academic research and a range of time-bound assessments. Hence as teachers of AIA, we adapt our approach to teaching and learning based on the need of the curriculum.
Both programmes provide the opportunity for students to secure a position in universities across the globe. As the IB Diploma Programme started a little over 40 years before the introduction of the IB Career-related Programme (which started in 2012), the IBDP programme has gained popularity over time and is now accredited in almost all universities across the globe. However, the IB Career-related programme is also gaining great popularity and every year more and more universities are providing accreditation to IBCP graduates. Hence at AIA, we keep the IBCP students informed about the most updated university options through regular career guidance workshops and webinars. IBCP students have very strong chances of securing positions in universities, especially the ones which have courses or programmes seeking candidates with practical experience and vocational training. At AIA through the IBCP curriculum we aim to develop a well-rounded set of skills in students-academically through the mandatory DP subjects taken as part of the CP in tandem with career-related courses and internships, which are often very attractive to universities
Who is the IBCP best suited for, and what makes it the best choice for certain students?
IB Career-Related Programme is best suited for students who want to develop a combination of academic and real-life skills which will prepare them for both University and/or the workforce. Hence, the following parameters are used at AIA while counselling students into the appropriate curricular pathway.
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Parameters to consider |
IBCP is suited for |
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What Career pathway do you want to pursue? |
It is well-suited for students with specific career goals in vocational fields. |
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What are your preferred learning styles |
It is well-suited for students who want to gain practical experience while still engaging with academic learning offered through balance of vocational training course and academic subjects. |
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What are your future educational pursuits? |
It is well-suited for students who want to go into higher education, technical schools, or apprenticeships |
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What kind of skills do you want to learn? |
It is well suited if students want to ensure personal development, gain employable skills, such as communication, project management, or technical skills, while engaging in a well-rounded education. |
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What kind of curriculum do you want to pursue |
It is well suited for students who want a structured, flexible and balanced curriculum providing vocational training, academic learning, and different skill sets developed through the core |
We at AIA, refer to the above parameters while carrying out a series of common and personalized sessions with our students and parents to help them understand the curriculum, their strengths, their career goals and their learning styles to customize our guidance such that they make informed choices and embark on their journey to success.
What are the advantages of studying a BTEC within the IBCP framework?
The IBCP is designed to combine academic study with career-related learning. The BTEC courses are a vocational component of the IBCP framework. BTECs are vocational qualifications that often focus on specific industries, such as business, health, hospitality, engineering, arts and IT, to name a few. Students pursuing the BTEC courses have assignments that require them to simulate real-life scenarios which equip them to apply their knowledge in a practical setting. This in turn deepens their knowledge and understanding by using practical skills directly related to their chosen career path. It benefits students looking to pursue applied degrees or technical qualifications and makes students more employable in job sectors that value practical skills and real-world experience. Students also benefit from work placements, internships, or industry collaborations are experienced through the BTEC courses.
BTECs are globally recognized qualifications that are respected by universities and employers alike. In many countries, including the United Kingdom, they are an established part of the educational system and are widely accepted by institutions as equivalent to other qualifications, including A-Levels. Additionally, the IBCP is an internationally recognized program, and combining it with a BTEC adds value by offering a qualification that is recognized both within and outside the IB community. This dual approach provides students with broader opportunities across different educational systems.
The IBCP is designed to combine academic study with career-related learning. The BTEC courses fit in like a piece of jig-saw puzzle in the career-related studies section of the IBCP framework. BTECs are vocational qualifications that often focus on specific industries, such as business, health, hospitality, engineering, arts, artificial intelligence and IT to name a few. At AIA, we offer the Extended BTEC in International Business (level 3) and we plan to rapidly expand the offer in future years. We chose this vocational course based on preference of our demography. In an AIA BTEC classroom students have assignments that require them to simulate real life scenarios which equips them to apply their knowledge in a practical setting. This in turn deepens their knowledge and understanding by using practical skills directly related to their chosen career path, that is business. It benefits students looking to pursue applied degrees or technical qualifications and makes students more employable in job sectors that value practical skills and real-world experience. Students also benefit from work placements, internships, or industry collaborations that are experienced through the BTEC courses. At AIA, we collaborate with our school community to provide multiple internship opportunities and work placements for our students which gives them the necessary experience for their BTEC course along with making their profile more lucrative for both universities and employers.
The BTEC courses are globally recognized qualifications that are respected by universities and employers alike. In many countries, including the United Kingdom, they are an established part of the educational system and are widely accepted by institutions as equivalent to other qualifications like A-Levels. Additionally, the IBCP is an internationally recognized program, and combining it with a BTEC adds value by offering a qualification that is recognized both within and outside the IB community. At AIA we have taken this dual approach of providing IBCP with the BTEC Programme which provides students with broader opportunities across different educational systems.
AIA Principal Mr. James Lynch is very passionate about creating multiple curriculum pathways for students so that all students have a road to success. Hence at AIA we offer three pathways for the students, the IBDP, the IBCP and a separate BTEC Extended Diploma Pathway for any students wishing to study BTEC Extended Diploma as a stand stand-alone course which is the equivalent of three A Levels.