IB Diploma Programme
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is a two year pre university course of studies that meets the needs of highly motivated students between the ages of 16 and 19 years. The programme, which is offered in about 2000 schools around the world, is administered by the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) based in Geneva, Switzerland.
Beyond intellectual rigour and high academic standards, strong emphasis is placed on the ideals of international understanding and responsible world citizenship, to the end that the IB students may become critical and compassionate thinkers. In each IB school the IB Coordinator, together with the IB Faculty of teachers, is responsible for the fulfilment of the requirements.
Oulun Lyseo lukio IB mission statement
In Oulun Lyseon lukio the emphasis in education is on freedom, responsibility and equity. Oulun Lyseo fosters a sense of community and consideration toward others. All members of the school community advance the appreciation of diversity, intercultural awareness and the maintenance of a sustainable lifestyle in a globalized world. The Lyseo experience embodies the promotion of human rights, democracy and altruism. Our goal is to help our students to grow into critical thinkers and well balanced individuals.
IB at Lyseo
IB programme at Lyseo extends over three years. This first school year ia preparatory year for the Diploma Programme (PreDP). During this year students focus on developing skills and knowledge necessary in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP). During the pre-DP year students study national course units. Language of instruction is English. The last two school years are the actual Diploma Programme years. The curriculum for the Diploma Programme is set by International Baccalaureate organisation.
In the Diploma Programme the students are required to do a lot of independent work with strict deadlines. Diploma students must therefore pay considerable attention to organising their working time effectively and maintaining the necessary self-discipline.
IB subjects offered at Lyseo
The Diploma Programme is a two-year study programme that consists of six groups of subjects offered at two levels, Higher and Standard. The amount of teaching is equivalent to 9 course units (Finnish system) in HL subjects and 5,5 course units in SL subjects. The subjects being offered in Oulun Lyseon lukio are listed below. All subjects are offered at both higher and standard level except where listed otherwise.
Group 1 Language A
- Finnish A Literature HL/SL
- English A Language and Literature HL/SL
- Chinese A Language and literature SL
- student's first language as a self-taught subject SL
Group 2 Language B or ab initio
- English B HL/SL
- French ab initio SL
Group 3 Individuals and Societies
- History HL/SL
- Economics HL/SL
- Psychology HL/SL
Group 4 Experimental Sciences
- Biology HL/SL
- Chemistry HL/SL
- Physics HL/SL
Group 5 Mathematics
- Mathematics: analysis and approaches HL/SL
- Mathematics: applications and interpretation HL/SL
Group 5 Mathematics
- Film SL
To be eligible for the award of the Diploma candidates must
- offer one subject from each of the groups 1-5 and one additional subject from any of groups 1-4 (for exceptions please consult the IB coordinator)
- offer three or four subjects at Higher level and the others at Standard level
- submit a research essay (Extended Essay) in one of the subjects of the IB curriculum
- follow a course in Theory of Knowledge and submit required pieces of work and
- engage in CAS activities representing Creativity, Action and Service.
PreDP year
At Lyseo the students start their studies with preparatory programme (PreDP year). In the pre-DP year students we follow the Finnish national curriculum. These study units, taught in English, include courses in:
- Mother tongue (Finnish or Chinese)
- English
- Swedish (for those who have studies Swedish before)
- Philosophy
- Psychology
- History
- Civics
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Introduction to Film
- Orientation studies
During PreDP the study units are awarded with a grade after the study unit is completed. We use the Finnish national grading system, 4 to 10, 10 being the highest grade.
IB1 & IB2
In the IB programme (years IB1 and IB2) the subject material is not divided into study units in the same way as in the national programme, nor are there necessarily course examinations at the end of each study periods. Instead the IB students will sit Autumn and Spring Term Examinations where usually all of the subject material studied so far is examined. Grading follows the Diploma Programme assessment principles, 1 to 7, 7 being the highest grade.
Students are required to do a lot of independent work with strict deadlines especially in the IB2 year when several pieces of students' work have to be sent to the IB for assessment or moderation. IB Diploma students must therefore pay considerable attention to organising their working time effectively and maintaining the necessary self-discipline.
All applicants (not including the boarding school applicants) are required to send in their application via the joint applications system (opintopolku).
Depending on the yearly situation we can possibly accept a few applicants without the Finnish national qualifications in basic education. In this case we require that the applicant has the necessary capacity to study in the programme and also has a well grounded reason to continue his/her studies in Oulun Lyseon lukio. We invite suitable applicants to participate in a entrance exam in Oulu in April.
The student applying through our agencies in China, must contact the agency to register as an applicant.
Contact information for Ms. Heli-Maarit Miihkinen, IB coordinator:
Kajaaninkatu 3
90100 OULU, FINLAND
Tel: +358 447039455
Email: oulunlyseoib(a)ouka.fi
