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If you're considering the IB Diploma Programme or have just started and are curious about how long it lasts, you're in the right place. In this post, we'll give you all the essential details about the duration of the IB Programme.
How long is the IB Programme?
The IB Diploma Programme runs over two academic years, with each year typically lasting around 10 months, not including the 2-month summer break. Students also have holidays throughout the year, like Christmas or winter break, though the exact timing and duration of these breaks can differ between schools so it is worth checking out your school's calendar.
In DP1, students follow a more traditional class schedule, starting around September and continuing until mid-June, when the summer mocks typically take place. DP2 has a different schedule. In DP2, students finish regular classes much earlier, usually by the end of March (around 1 month before the final exams). After that, they have about a month of "study leave," where there are no regular classes, but students have time to focus on exam preparation. Schools often offer preparation sessions during this period, which usually last a few days. These sessions allow students to work on past papers, ask teachers for advice, or review any material before the exams.
IB Diploma Programme timeline
DP1
Month 1 – Students begin their studies. During the first month students can still freely change their subject choices
Months 2-4 – Students continue to deepen their understanding of the syllabuses for their chosen subjects. At this stage, it is generally not recommended to switch subjects, as a significant amount of content has already been covered.
Months 4-5 – This is when schools typically introduce IB coursework, including IAs and the Extended Essay. Students start to explore potential topics of interest and begin considering what they would like to investigate. This is also the time during which schools host their internal Mock exams.
Months 5-9 – During this time, students continue their studies and may be required to start drafting their IAs, although the exact timing can vary by school. Some schools may ask students to begin working on IAs for certain subjects during the summer vacation. Similarly, students will need to choose their EE topic and start brainstorming ideas. This is also usually the time during which students will be required to complete their TOK Exhibition. By the end of this period, students will also begin preparing for the internal summer mock exams.
Month 10 – This is when the school will host its internal summer mock exams. These are quite important as they count significantly towards your Predicted Grades.
Summer Vacation (2 months)
Students work on their Internal Assessments and EE.
DP2
Months 1-4 – This is typically when students submit their first drafts of the IA and EE, receiving feedback from their teachers. During this period, students also usually complete the IO for Language A. Month 1 is when the TOK Essay prompts are released, so students will begin working on that as well. Additionally, applications for US and UK universities open at this time. As a result, this is the most work-intensive period of the IB Programme.
Months 4-5 – This is when schools hold their internal mock exams, offering the final opportunity to experience a full exam session under exam conditions. It’s an ideal time to assess your knowledge and identify any areas that need improvement before the official exams.
Months 5-7 – This is when students complete all their coursework and submit the final versions. This is also around the time when the CAS deadline usually occurs.
Month 8 – Classes have ended, and students enter their "study leave," a period dedicated to preparing for the final exams.
Month 9 – Final IB exams.
We hope you found this post helpful. For more useful materials associated with the IB check out the wide variety of IA, EE and TOK exemplars available at Clastify.
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