Course it makes a difference
The meaning of the word ‘Course’ on an IB transcript...
Summary: A transcript entitled ‘IB Diploma Programme Results’ indicates the successful completion of the full programme. A transcript entitled ‘IB Diploma Programme Course Results’ indicates that part of the programme has been successfully completed.
If you work in undergraduate admissions, you are probably familiar with the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP). The two-year, upper secondary course gives students around the world the opportunity to study a broad curriculum and progress to higher education.
What you may not know is the significance of the word ‘Course’ on a DP transcript. Why is this only sometimes included and what does this tell us?
In short: it all comes down to whether a student has successfully completed the full programme.
Those who satisfy all programme requirements receive a ‘Diploma of the International Baccalaureate’ – or a ‘Bilingual Diploma’ if two languages were studied to a sufficiently high level. The corresponding transcript should then refer to ‘IB Diploma Programme Results’ in the top left-hand corner.
A student who successfully completes elements of the programme receives a very similar transcript, albeit with a subtly different title. In this scenario, the document is entitled ‘IB Diploma Programme Course Results’ (DPCR).
The DPCR may have been awarded because a student attempted the full programme but didn’t meet all the requirements. However, the DPCR might simply indicate that the learner only took a selection of individual DP subjects in the first place. Some schools only offer individual IB subjects which students can choose to take alongside other qualifications.
Either way, UK ENIC considers the DPCR comparable to RQF level 3, recognising that the level of study is still comparable to the UK A level. Comparison to a generic framework level also differentiates the DPCR from the full DP and acknowledges that the proportion of study completed will vary.
The full IB DP is comparable to the UK A level/Scottish Advanced Highers.
Good to know
- The composite parts of the DP still attract UCAS tariff points and feature on the Ofqual register
- UK ENIC assesses official IB documents rather than certification issued by individual schools
- The DPCR was formerly known as the ‘Certificate of results’