The IB Diploma requires enrolment in an authorised IB World School. Internal assessments, the Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge must be supervised and marked by a registered IB teacher. The homeschool-friendly route is an online / virtual IB World School.
What is the IB?
The International Baccalaureate is a globally respected programme run by the IB Organisation. The Diploma Programme (DP), for ages ~16–19, is the Class-12-equivalent stage, known for developing research, writing and critical-thinking skills. Younger stages (PYP for primary, MYP for middle years) are also school-based.
How homeschoolers do IB
Recognition
Recognition in India
- AIU equates the IB Diploma, and the IB Diploma Course (IB Certificate), with Class 12 if you score at least 24 and pass at least 3 subjects at Higher Level and 3 at Standard Level
- Students with a qualification from a foreign system, including one taken in India, get an Equivalence Certificate from AIU
- AIU issues it only on final certificates, not on provisional results
- Each university sets its own IB score and Higher Level subject requirements, in India and abroad
AIU's advisory says equivalence is not granted for qualifications from online, virtual, distance or home-study mode. That may include an IB Diploma earned through an online school.
Ask your target university what it needs before you enrol.
Sources: Association of Indian Universities, Advisory to students and Amendments to the policies for equivalence (GC meeting, 30 June 2016), evaluation.aiu.ac.in; AIU, Equivalence of Degrees.
How the Diploma Programme is structured
The six groups
- Group 1: Studies in Language & Literature
- Group 2: Language Acquisition
- Group 3: Individuals & Societies
- Group 4: Sciences
- Group 5: Mathematics
- Group 6: The Arts (can be swapped for a second subject from Groups 1–5)
Theory of Knowledge (TOK): ~1,600-word essay + exhibition · Extended Essay (EE): 4,000-word independent research paper · Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS): not graded.
Scored out of 45 (6 subjects × 7 + up to 3 core points).
Choosing subjects: pick your HL subjects around the intended university course, e.g. Maths + Physics HL for engineering, Chemistry + Biology HL for medicine, Maths + Economics for business. STEM-focused students often swap the Arts group for a second science or humanity.
Exams & fees
- One main exam session a year: May for the Northern Hemisphere; a November session exists for Southern-Hemisphere schools
- There is an IB registration fee per candidate/subject, but the main cost is school tuition, since you must enrol
- Online IB schools commonly cost several lakhs of rupees a year, making IB the most expensive route
Worth it if you're aiming at top-tier global universities and willing to enrol in (and fund) an IB World School. For a flexible, low-cost, fully home-based route, NIOS or IGCSE are usually the better fit.
Common questions
Can homeschooled children do the IB Diploma as private candidates?
No. The IB requires enrolment in an authorised IB World School because internal assessments, the Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge must be supervised and marked by a registered IB teacher. Homeschooling families use online/virtual IB World Schools to meet this while studying from home.
Is the IB Diploma recognised in India?
Yes. AIU equates the IB Diploma, and the IB Diploma Course (IB Certificate), with Class 12 if the student scores at least 24 and passes at least 3 subjects at Higher Level and 3 at Standard Level. AIU's advisory says equivalence is not granted for online, virtual, distance or home-study qualifications, so check with the target university before enrolling in an online IB school.
Educators for IB
Find educators on HomeLearn who can support your child through IB subjects and coursework.