International Baccalaureate diplomas and certificates are accepted around the world as a qualification for university entrance. Since 1969, IB students have entered over 600 universities in Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa, and Australia, and the list of institutions accepting IB students, which includes the most prestigious institutions throughout the world, is growing every year.

Many university admissions personnel have stated that they prefer IBDP students because the course develops a variety of skills needed for university study, and successful IBDP graduates have already demonstrated the ability to work at this level. In addition, IBDP students, having studied a range of subjects, can make a more informed choice of undergraduate programmes. Many employers too, recognise the value of analytical skills, flexibility and adaptability, all of which are stressed in the IB programme. Thus, the IBDP offers not only preparation for university but also for life after university.

As the IBDP is a pre-university course, each student must design a course suited to his or her needs and interests. All students preparing to join the IBDP therefore must discuss their possible options with the IBDP Coordinator, as well as with their parents, considering their future university plans. It should be noted that many universities have specific requirements in terms of courses taken and grades achieved, and some may require entrance examinations.

Higher Level (HL) courses are considered equivalent to British ‘A’ Level courses, and to American Advanced Placement (AP) or ‘Honours’ courses. IB Higher Level courses are considered for advanced standing or credit at many Canadian and US universities. IB Diploma students with excellent HL subject scores may be offered a year’s credit or advanced placement in Canadian or US universities or US-type universities overseas.

IB Courses without the Diploma are accepted in many countries, including the US and Canada, and are accepted for entry by UK foundation programmes and may be accepted by less competitive UK universities.

Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) is an essential component of the IB Diploma Programme that every student must complete as part of their DP in Grades 11 and 12.

The three strands which are often interwoven with particular activities are:

• Creativity: Expressing oneself through the arts or any experiences that involve creative thinking
• Activity: Physical exertion that contributes a healthy lifestyle and complementing academic work when possible.
• Service: Unpaid and voluntary exchanges that have learning benefits to the students.

Studied throughout the Diploma Programme, CAS involves students in a range of exciting and challenging activities alongside their academic studies. It enables students to enhance their personal and interpersonal development by learning through experience. It provides opportunities for self-determination and collaboration with others, fostering a sense of accomplishment and enjoyment from their work. At the same time, CAS is an important counterbalance to the academic pressures of DP.

Here at Raffles World Academy, we have a thriving CAS programme that gives students the opportunity to challenge themselves in all three strands of the programme in both local and international contexts. Students are given ownership and responsibility in their CAS experiences and are allowed to positively impact other areas of the school such as assisting in the primary school, the arts faculty and the sports field. Students often independently research, plan and execute hugely successful CAS projects that are visible throughout the school. Most recently, a group of students designed and distributed hoodies for various school sporting teams which are proudly displayed on athletes throughout the school.

We also organise one international CAS trip each year in which students visit a local community to volunteer and contribute to ongoing sustainable projects. This is often a highlight of the CAS programme that gives students the opportunity to engage with issues of global significance in a hands-on way. Previous successful CAS trips include Sri Lanka, Nepal and Laos. The work students complete on these trips are part of ongoing projects which are continued after they leave each community.

This direct impact on issues of global significance is testament to our international mindset and successful CAS programme here at Raffles World Academy.

Cas Handbook 2021 - 22

• RWA IBDP Extended Essay Process
• RWA Extended Essay Guide for students 2021
• RWA Extended Essay Guide for supervisors 2021
• Extended Essay Supervision for cohort of May 2022

• RWA TOK Handbook
• TOK - RWA Guide to Essay Writing
• TOK Presentation for teacher induction 2021-22