The IB Curriculum Explained by Age for Hanoi Families The IB curriculum is a set of four connected programmes that take children from age 3 to 19: the PYP, MYP, DP and CP. If you have toured international schools in Hanoi, you have heard these letters many times. Fewer people explain what they mean for your child on a normal school day. This guide breaks the IB curriculum down by age. It covers what children study, how they are assessed and what to expect if they join from another system. What is the IB curriculum? The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a non-profit foundation set up in Geneva in 1968. It designs four programmes and authorises schools to teach them. The four programmes are: Primary Years Programme (PYP) for ages 3 to 12 Middle Years Programme (MYP) for ages 11 to 16 Diploma Programme (DP) for ages 16 to 19 Career-related Programme (CP) for ages 16 to 19 The IB sets the framework, the learning goals and the assessment standards. Each authorised school then builds its own units and timetable within that framework. This is why two IB schools can feel quite different in practice. What links the programmes is a shared approach. Students learn by asking questions, investigating and reflecting. They are also expected to connect ideas across subjects. Over time, they build the habits behind critical thinking, research and independent study. Westlink's age-based IB programme pathway: from PYP to MYP, DP, and CP. IB curriculum by age at a glance Most parents ask one question first: which programme fits my child right now? The table below maps the IB curriculum to the grade numbers used in Vietnam. Age (approx.) IB programme Vietnamese grade equivalent What parents usually notice 3 to 5 Early years (often PYP-aligned) Mầm non (preschool) Curiosity, confidence, early language 6 to 10 PYP Lớp 1 to 5 Children explain how they think, not just the answer 11 to 16 MYP Lớp 6 to 10 Stronger study habits and more independence 16 to 19 DP or CP Lớp 11 to 12 Time management, research and academic writing "Lớp" is the Vietnamese word for grade. Age bands vary between schools. At Westlink, the PYP covers Grades 1 to 5 and the MYP covers Grades 6 to 10. The DP will cover Grades 11 to 12 from August 2027, pending authorization. A useful detail for Hanoi families is that Westlink's grade numbers line up with Vietnamese "lớp". In most cases, your child can continue at the same year level, subject to the school's placement assessment. How the Primary Years Programme works The PYP is the first stage of the IB curriculum, designed for younger learners. It is built around one core idea. Children learn best when they explore real questions, rather than memorising separate facts. Subjects are still taught: language, mathematics, science, social studies, the arts, and personal, social and physical education. However, these subjects are woven into larger units of inquiry. A unit usually lasts several weeks. The six transdisciplinary themes Every PYP school organises learning around six themes set by the IB. Each theme is broad enough to connect several subjects. Theme Example unit Who we are How our bodies and feelings change as we grow Where we are in place and time How Hanoi has changed over a hundred years How we express ourselves How stories and art carry culture How the world works How simple machines make work easier How we organize ourselves How a local market works Sharing the planet How our choices affect water and waste Example units are illustrative only. Each school writes its own units. What a PYP week looks like In a typical PYP classroom, a week rarely looks like a list of separate lessons. A unit on water might start with a question from the children. They then measure, read, interview people and build simple models. Maths, science and language all feed into the same investigation. This kind of experiential learning also shapes the classroom itself. Children work at tables in groups, move between stations and present to classmates. Specialist teachers for languages, music, art and PE often link their lessons to the current unit. At Westlink, this approach shows up in very concrete ways. Grade 3 students have used Scratch programming and robots to create a coding dance battle. Grade 4 students ran a Market Day, testing simple business ideas with the school community. Grade 5 students visited Lotte Aquarium to explore ocean conservation first-hand. Parents see the results at the PYP Gallery Walk. Students turn their classrooms into exhibitions and guide their families through their projects. They explain their SMART learning goals and the inquiry behind their work, in their own words. Westlink PYP students guiding parents through their projects at the Gallery Walk How PYP is assessed PYP students do not sit formal external exams. Teachers assess learning continuously. They use observations, portfolios, presentations and short tasks, and give feedback against clear learning goals. The final year of the PYP ends with the PYP Exhibition. Students choose a real-world issue, research it in groups and present their findings to the school community. For many children, it is the first time they lead a long project from start to finish. Primary school students are presenting their PYP Exhibition projects to their teachers. The Middle Years Programme and its eight subject groups The MYP is the middle stage of the IB curriculum, designed for students aged 11 to 16. Learning becomes more structured, but the inquiry approach continues. Students start to see how subjects connect with real issues outside school. MYP subjects The MYP is made up of eight subject groups: Subject group Example courses Language and literature English, Vietnamese Language acquisition A second or additional language Individuals and societies History, geography, economics Sciences Biology, chemistry, physics Mathematics Standard or extended maths Arts Visual arts, music, drama Physical and health education Sport, fitness, health Design Digital and product design The IB requires at least 50 hours of teaching for each subject group in each year. In the final two years, students may take courses from six of the eight groups. This gives schools and students some flexibility. Interdisciplinary units and the Personal Project Each year, MYP students complete at least one interdisciplinary unit that combines two or more subject groups. A science and design unit might ask students to build and test a water filter. These units mirror the project-based learning style that many families already value. The MYP ends with the Personal Project. Each student chooses a topic they care about and plans a product or outcome. They carry it out over several months, then write a reflective report. Many students say it is the project they remember most from secondary school. How MYP grading works MYP marking can confuse parents at first. Teachers do not grade with percentages. Each subject has four assessment criteria, and each criterion is marked on a scale from 0 to 8. These scores are combined into a final grade from 1 to 7 for each subject. Report cards show which criteria your child is strong in. They also show where your child needs more support, which is more useful than a single average. Diploma Programme subjects and the DP core The DP is the final stage of the IB curriculum, a two-year pre-university programme for students aged 16 to 19. It is the stage most people mean when they say "doing the IB". It leads to the IB Diploma, which universities around the world recognise. Subject groups at Higher and Standard Level DP students take six subjects. Normally, they choose one from each of these groups: Studies in language and literature Language acquisition Individuals and societies Sciences Mathematics The arts Students may replace the arts with a second science, a second individuals and societies subject or another language. Three or four subjects are taken at Higher Level (HL). The rest are taken at Standard Level (SL). HL courses go deeper and take more teaching time. Students usually choose HL subjects based on the university course they are aiming for. Choosing subjects is one of the biggest decisions in the DP. Families planning this step may find these career guidance steps for high school students helpful. Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay and CAS Alongside the six subjects, every DP student completes the DP core. It has three parts: Theory of Knowledge (TOK): a course on how we know what we claim to know. Students compare how knowledge is built in science, history, art and other areas. Extended Essay (EE): an independent research paper of up to 4,000 words on a topic the student chooses. Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS): about 18 months of creative projects, physical activity and community service, with regular reflection. The core is what sets the DP apart from most other pre-university courses. It trains research skills, academic writing and self-management. These are the skills students rely on in their first year of university. Infographic of the IB Diploma core with TOK, Extended Essay and CAS How the IB Diploma is scored Each of the six subjects is graded from 1 to 7. That gives a maximum of 42 points. TOK and the Extended Essay together can add up to 3 more points, so the top score is 45. To earn the diploma, a student needs at least 24 points and must complete CAS. There are also some minimum conditions on HL and SL scores. Most marks come from final exams. Teachers also mark some coursework, called internal assessment, and the IB moderates that marking. IB vs MOET, Cambridge and US curricula Many Hanoi parents are comparing the IB curriculum with other systems. Each system has real strengths. The best choice depends on how your child learns and where they plan to study next. IB Vietnam's national curriculum (MOET) Cambridge US (Common Core) Core approach Inquiry and concepts, links across subjects National content standards Subject depth, clear syllabuses Standards-based, broad choice Assessment Criteria-based, coursework plus final exams in DP School tests plus national graduation exam External exams (IGCSE, A Level) Continuous grades (GPA), optional AP and SAT/ACT Final qualification IB Diploma or CP certificate Vietnamese high school diploma IGCSE and A Level certificates High school diploma Often suits students who Like to ask questions and connect ideas Plan to study at Vietnamese universities Want to specialise early in a few subjects Want flexibility and a wide choice of courses Breadth is the main difference at the final stage. A Level students usually take three or four subjects. DP students keep six subjects plus the core. For a wider overview, see our guide to international study programmes in Vietnam. Is the IB curriculum right for your child? The IB is not only for "top students". It suits a wide range of learners. However, some signs suggest a child will settle in quickly. Other signs mean they may need more support at the start. IB often suits children who Extra support may help if your child Ask lots of "why" and "what if" questions Prefers one clear right answer Enjoy group work and discussion Finds group tasks stressful Like projects that last several weeks Is used to short daily homework Are curious about other cultures Is still building English for study None of the points in the second column rules a child out. They simply show where a good school should step in. That support might come through English classes, a mentor or a gentler start. What to expect when switching into IB midway Many families do not start the IB curriculum at age 3. They join from a Vietnamese school, a bilingual programme or a school abroad. Families returning to Hanoi are a common example. Joining midway is normal, but it helps to know where the common challenges are. The most common entry points Grade 1 to 5: the easiest entry point. The PYP is flexible, and young children adapt quickly. Grade 6: the start of the MYP. Students have time to learn the criteria-based grading. Grade 11: the start of the DP. Students need solid English and study skills, since the two-year course moves quickly. English is the biggest adjustment Everyday English and the English used for study are different skills. A child may speak confidently but still struggle with essays or science reports. This academic English gap is common in the first year after switching, especially in the MYP and DP. Schools usually close this gap with English as an Additional Language (EAL) support. This might be small-group lessons or in-class support. Ask any school how long students usually receive EAL support. Also ask how progress is measured. How schools check the right starting point Many IB schools assess new students before offering a place. This helps them choose the right year level and plan support. Assessment often includes a reasoning test, an English check and a trial day in class. Our guide to the international school entrance test explains what these usually involve. Four steps to joining an IB school, from assessment to first term check-in Authorised vs candidate schools and how to check Only schools authorised by the IB can call themselves IB World Schools for a programme. Before that, a school goes through a candidate phase. During this phase, the school trains teachers, builds the programme and is visited by the IB. The full process often takes two to three years. Being a candidate is not a warning sign. Every IB World School went through this phase. Still, parents should know exactly which programmes are authorised and which are still in candidacy. A school may hold different statuses for different programmes. You can check this yourself in three steps: Open the IB's official Find an IB World School directory. Search by school name or by country (Vietnam). Check the status listed for each programme: PYP, MYP, DP and CP. If the directory and a school's website do not match, ask the school directly. A transparent school will explain its status and timeline clearly. For a side-by-side view of IB options in the city, see our guide comparing IB schools in Hanoi. The IB curriculum at Westlink At Westlink International School in Tay Ho Tay, the IB is being built as a continuous pathway, from the PYP through the MYP and towards the Diploma Programme. PYP (Grades 1 to 5): Westlink is an authorised IB World School for the PYP. MYP (Grades 6 to 10): Westlink is authorised to offer the MYP. DP (Grades 11 to 12): Westlink is a Candidate School* for the DP. The school plans to launch the programme in August 2027, pending authorization. The planned DP includes English A, Vietnamese A and Korean A in Group 1, with English or Spanish as additional languages. This lets students keep developing their home language while studying at university-preparation level. *Westlink International School Hanoi is a Candidate School for the IB Diploma Programme. This school is pursuing authorization as an IB World School. Only schools authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) can offer any of its four academic programmes. Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted. The school community includes students from more than 30 nationalities. Lessons run on a 2.5-hectare, Lotus-certified green campus with STEAM labs, arts spaces and sports facilities. Students who are still building their English receive personalised EAL support. This helps them take a full part in inquiry-based lessons. Families can also see the IB approach before they decide. The admissions process includes a half-day trial in a real class. The admissions team aims to reply to enquiries within 24 hours. One MYP parent, Ms. Priyanka Shrivastava, shares that she chose the IB because her child learns through practice and experience, not only theory. Students learning in an IB classroom at Westlink International School Hanoi Frequently asked questions Is the IB curriculum harder than other curricula? The IB is demanding, but in a different way. It asks students to explain, research and reflect, not only to remember content. The DP is widely seen as one of the more rigorous pre-university courses. Many students find the PYP and MYP manageable with good teaching and support. At what age can a child start the IB? The PYP officially begins at age 3. Many schools run early years classes that follow a PYP-aligned approach. Children can also join at any later stage, though the start of each programme is usually the smoothest entry point. Does my child need fluent English to join an IB school? Not in the PYP or most of the MYP. Schools with strong EAL support regularly welcome students who are still learning English. For the DP, students need English good enough to handle essays, research and exams. Schools usually check this during admission. Is the IB Diploma recognised by universities? Yes. Universities in the UK, Europe, the US, Canada, Australia, Asia and Vietnam accept the IB Diploma. Entry requirements differ by university and course. Check the specific score and subject requirements early, before choosing HL subjects. Can a student join the DP in Grade 11 without doing the MYP? Yes. Many DP students come from other systems, including MOET, Cambridge IGCSE and US curricula. The school will look at the student's English level, academic record and subject choices. Some students take short preparation courses to get used to IB-style assessment. The IB curriculum is easier to judge when you can see it in action. Visit Westlink to watch an IB class, talk with teachers and ask how your child would settle in. Before you go, our list of questions to ask during a school visit will help you make the most of the tour.
