There are three requirements in addition to the six subjects a successful candidate needs to meet in order to be awarded the diploma. The interdisciplinary Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course, the Extended Essay of some 4000 words, and last but not least, participation in the creativity, activity, service (CAS) is required.

EXTENDED ESSAY (EE) or ESSAY IN WORLD STUDIES

The students can choose one from the two essays that IBO offers. The Extended Essay and the Essay in World Studies. It needs to be written in no more than 4000 words. It offers the opportunity for the student to investigate a topic of special interest and acquaints students with the independent research and writing skills expected at university. The essay in World Studies offers the student the opportunity to explore one topic from two or three different angles (e.g.: psychology and biology), whereas the extended essay is a detailed research in one field only. The independent research prepares students well for the research conducted at the university level later on in life. The students are monitored by their mentors.