What is the IB, and how are PYP, MYP, DP and CP structured? A clear guide to the IB pathway, plus how it's run at Westlink.

What Is the IB? A Guide to Its 4 Programmes and the Learning Continuum

Students in Westlink Hanoi's IB PYP programme during an inquiry-based lesson

What exactly is the IB, what programmes does it offer, and how can you tell which schools are genuinely authorised? These questions often leave parents researching extensively yet still feeling uncertain. This guide covers four key topics: the four IB programmes by age group, the detailed structure of the IB Diploma, how to distinguish an authorised IB school from a candidate school, and how the IB pathway is delivered at Westlink.

What Is the IB? The Official Definition, According to the IB Organization

According to the IB Organization, as of March 2026, more than 8,800 IB programmes are being delivered across over 6,100 schools in more than 160 countries, serving more than 1.95 million students aged 3 to 19 worldwide.

The International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) was founded in 1968 and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. It's a non-profit organisation responsible for designing the curriculum framework, training teachers, and authorising member schools around the world. The latest figures can be checked directly on the International Baccalaureate Organization's website.

The IB's core philosophy is inquiry-based learning, where students actively ask questions, seek out information and build their own understanding, rather than passively memorising content. Alongside this, students are guided to develop the 10 attributes of the IB Learner Profile: being an inquirer, knowledgeable, a thinker, a communicator, principled, open-minded, caring, a risk-taker, balanced, and reflective.

Two terms are easy to mix up and worth separating clearly. "IB" refers to the entire four-programme system (PYP, MYP, DP and CP), while "IB Diploma" refers specifically to the qualification awarded to students who complete the DP in Grades 11–12.

Image: The IB World School logo certifying the PYP programme at Westlink Hanoi

The 4 IB Programmes by Age: A Continuum from Age 3 to 19

The IB isn't a single programme — it's a pathway made up of four connected programmes, each designed around the developmental stage of a particular age group. Students can start at age 3 and continue through to 19, with a consistent learning approach running throughout.

Primary Years Programme (PYP) – Ages 3 to 12

The PYP covers students from Early Years through to Grade 5. This is the stage that lays the groundwork for questioning, connecting knowledge, and learning through experience.

The framework is built around 6 interdisciplinary themes repeated each school year: Who We Are, Where We Are in Place and Time, How We Express Ourselves, How the World Works, How We Organise Ourselves, and Sharing the Planet. Each unit runs for 6 weeks, with students studying Maths, Science, Language and the Arts together under one central question.

At the end of the PYP, students take part in the PYP Exhibition, a culminating learning showcase. Each student chooses an issue they care about, plans their own inquiry, carries out research, and presents their findings to the wider school community.

According to Westlink's 2025–2026 PYP Handbook, each unit of inquiry comes with a central idea and a set of guiding questions, so parents can follow along from the start of the term. Westlink's PYP has been officially authorised by the International Baccalaureate (IB) since May 2024.

Middle Years Programme (MYP) – Ages 11 to 16

The MYP covers students in Grades 6–10. This is the stage where students shift from "learning to explore" to "learning to take ownership of problems".

It's structured around 8 subject groups: Language and Literature, Language Acquisition, Individuals and Societies, Sciences, Mathematics, Arts, Design, and Physical and Health Education. Students study all 8 groups through to the end of Grade 10, without being pushed to specialise too early.

A required output of the MYP is an independent, self-chosen project completed in Grade 10, involving around 25 hours of work along with a report and a final product. Westlink's MYP Personal Project Handbook walks students through the process in detail, from choosing a topic to a final reflection.

Westlink's IB MYP has now met the requirements for official authorisation by the International Baccalaureate and is delivered to students from Grade 6 through to Grade 10.

Diploma Programme (DP) – Ages 16 to 19

The DP covers students in Grades 11–12. It's the best-known stage of the IB and serves as the gateway to international university admissions.

It's structured around 6 subject groups (typically 3 subjects at Higher Level and 3 at Standard Level) plus 3 core components: TOK (Theory of Knowledge), EE (Extended Essay) and CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service). We'll break this structure down in more detail in the next section.

The IB Diploma is recognised by more than 5,000 universities in 150+ countries. Many top universities in the US, UK, Australia and Canada award transfer credit for HL subjects scoring 5 or above. Westlink is currently preparing to launch the IB Diploma Programme (DP) for Grades 11–12.

Career-related Programme (CP) – Ages 16 to 19

The CP also covers students aged 16–19, but combines academic study with career-focused learning. Students take a selection of IB DP subjects alongside specialised career-related modules.

The CP is still uncommon in Vietnam — most IB schools in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City currently offer only PYP, MYP and DP. Westlink does not currently offer the CP, choosing instead to focus on the PYP–MYP–DP pathway for students heading towards traditional university study.

The Structure of the IB Diploma: 6 Subject Groups + 3 Core Components

The 6 Subject Groups of the IB DP

Under the IB Diploma structure, students study 6 subject groups alongside the DP Core. Some subjects are taken at Higher Level (HL) and others at Standard Level (SL). HL subjects are generally more in-depth and involve more study time, and are chosen to suit a student's university plans.

• Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature — subjects in language and literature, such as English or the literature of other countries.

• Group 2: Language Acquisition — learning a language other than the student's mother tongue, such as French or Spanish.

• Group 3: Individuals and Societies — humanities subjects such as history, economics and geography.

• Group 4: Sciences — natural sciences such as physics, chemistry, and biology.

• Group 5: Mathematics — maths subjects ranging from foundational to advanced level.

• Group 6: The Arts — subjects such as visual art or music, though students may instead choose an additional subject from Groups 1–5.

Standard Level (SL) subjects involve around 150 hours of study, while Higher Level (HL) subjects involve around 240 hours. Students typically take a minimum of 3 subjects at HL, with the rest at SL.

The 3 Core Components: TOK, EE and CAS

Alongside the main subjects, the IB DP includes 3 core components that help students build critical thinking and practical study skills:

• TOK (Theory of Knowledge) — a philosophy-based course exploring the nature of knowledge, where it comes from, and how we come to know that something is true.

• EE (Extended Essay) — a 4,000-word research essay in which students choose their own topic to investigate in depth, building their writing and analytical skills.

• CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) — students take part in creative, physical and community-service activities, building skills beyond the academic curriculum.

Grading Scale and Graduation Requirements

Grading and graduation: 6 subjects are graded on a scale up to 7 points each (maximum 42 points), combined with up to 3 core points from TOK and EE, for a total maximum score of 45 points.

To be awarded the Diploma, students must score at least 24 out of 45 points, complete CAS in full, and avoid falling below the minimum threshold in any individual subject.

How Does the IB Differ from Vietnam's Curriculum, AP, and A-Level?

IB DP, AP and A-Level are the three most common international qualifications in Hanoi, and all three lead to the same destination: top universities worldwide. The differences lie in philosophy, assessment, and the type of student each one suits.

In general, the IB suits students who want to keep their options open, perform well across the board, and value critical thinking and essay writing. AP and A-Level tend to suit students who've already settled on a field, want to go deep in one area, and are optimising their application for a specific study destination — the US for AP, the UK for A-Level.

Who Is the IB Actually Suited To? 5 Self-Assessment Questions

This is a point few articles on the IB in Vietnam address directly: the IB isn't the right fit for every student. Before enrolling, it's worth spending 10 minutes going through the 5 questions below with your child — an honest answer helps your family avoid choosing the wrong path from the outset.

1. Does your child prefer project-based learning, asking questions and exploring independently over rote memorisation?
The IB runs on an inquiry-based philosophy. Students used to memorising and following set templates often need more time to adjust.

2. Can your child manage their time and work independently from around age 14–15?
Both the MYP Personal Project and the IB DP require long-term planning. This is a skill that needs to be built gradually through the MYP — it can't easily be made up for once a student is already in the DP.

3. Is your child interested in at least 2 languages, and keen to keep up their mother tongue?
The IB requires studying 2 languages in parallel throughout the PYP, MYP and DP. This is a major difference from AP or A-Level, which are typically delivered in a single language.

4. Can your family commit long-term to at least the 2 years of the DP — or ideally the full PYP–MYP–DP continuum?
Joining the IB partway through (taking only the DP and skipping PYP/MYP) is possible but not ideal. The financial and time commitment required from parents is a factor that's often underestimated.

5. Do your child's target universities recognise the IB Diploma?
The IB Diploma is widely recognised across the US, UK, Australia, Canada and Europe. If you're considering other study destinations, it's worth checking with individual universities directly.

Reading an IB School's Status Correctly: Authorised, Candidate, or Still in Progress?

One of the most confusing things when researching IB schools in Hanoi is how loosely the term "IB school" gets used. Some schools have been fully accredited by the IBO, some have only just submitted their application, and some have merely announced a plan to introduce the IB. Parents need to read this correctly to avoid confusion.

Under IBO rules, a school will typically sit in one of three statuses for each individual IB programme:

• IB World School (Authorised): the school has completed the IBO's multi-year accreditation process and is officially licensed to teach and award IB certification for that programme. This is the only status that allows a school to call itself an "IB World School".

• Candidate School: the school has submitted its application and is in the preparation stage, receiving IBO support on teacher training and curriculum, but isn't yet authorised to award official IB certification. Students studying during this stage still follow the IB framework, but don't yet receive an IB qualification.

• Authorisation in progress: the school hasn't yet submitted an application and plans to introduce the IB programme in future, but hasn't completed the paperwork.

Note: a school can be authorised for the PYP while still being a candidate for MYP and DP — this is a common situation in Vietnam. Parents should check the status of each programme individually, rather than treating them as one.

The status of each IB programme at Westlink (per IBIS):

• PYP: Authorised IB World School since 1 May 2024

• MYP: Authorised IB World School since 3 December 2025

• DP: Candidate School, expected to launch officially from August 2027

Parents are welcome to ask to see the PYP certification in person when booking a school visit — this level of transparency is standard practice at any accredited IB school.

Westlink is transparent about its IB authorisation status, giving parents confidence in choosing a pathway

Studying the IB at Westlink: A Continuum from Early Years to the IB Diploma

At Westlink, the learning pathway is built as a continuum, helping students get used to the inquiry-based approach right from the early years. Parents can think of this pathway in stages: Early Years, PYP, MYP, and the planned DP at high-school level.

The IB Journey at Westlink, Stage by Stage

Westlink's learning pathway follows a continuum model. In the Early Years, children are introduced to inquiry-based learning, building a foundation for the transition into the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP). Westlink is now officially authorised by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) for both the PYP and MYP, with the PYP recognised since May 2024 and the MYP recognised since December 2025.

At secondary level, students continue through the MYP from Grade 6 to Grade 10. At high-school level, Westlink is currently a Candidate School for the IB Diploma Programme (DP) and is working through the requirements for official IBO authorisation. Based on the school's current information, the DP is expected to launch in August 2027.

What Sets Studying the IB at Westlink Apart

Westlink brings three standout differences to the IB journey:

The advantage of the ISP network: Westlink is part of the International Schools Partnership, giving students access to the Learning.First™ philosophy and international learning opportunities across a global network of schools.

IB and a bilingual pathway within the same ecosystem: alongside the IB pathway, Westlink runs a Bilingual Middle Years Programme for families who want their child to keep a solid grounding in Vietnamese while also building academic ability in English.

A campus built for hands-on learning: Westlink has science labs, a creative space with 3D printers, robotics and smart LEGO kits, and a 600-seat auditorium for performances, presentations and school events. Parents are welcome to ask about the school's experience delivering the IB and its teacher training when they visit, particularly if their child is about to move into the MYP or DP.

The key point is that parents shouldn't judge a school by the programme name alone — it's worth observing how students are actually supported when moving from PYP to MYP, and in preparing for the DP.

The IB opens up global learning opportunities and strong all-round development for students

Next Step: Experience the IB Programme at Westlink

Choosing the right IB school for your child is a long-term decision. While research and articles can provide helpful background, visiting the campus, observing active classrooms, and speaking directly with educators offer the clearest insight into whether a school’s learning environment aligns with your child’s needs.

Choosing an IB school for your child is a decision that plays out over 10–16 years, not a few months. However detailed, no article can replace first-hand experience of the classrooms, teachers and students actually on the IB programme. The best way to know whether a school is right for your child is to visit in person, sit in on a real lesson, and ask the questions that are actually on your mind.

You can get started in one of three ways:

• Book a visit to the campus in Tay Ho Tay: meet IB teachers, see PYP and MYP classes in action, and walk through the STEAM Lab and other spaces.

• Register for the next Open Day: an open event for parents comparing several schools at once.

• Download the 2025–2026 PYP Handbook: Westlink's official internal document, describing the PYP framework in detail and how parents can be involved.

To work out whether the IB is right for your child, it's worth observing a class in person, speaking with the academic team, and asking clearly about the status of each programme. You can book a campus visit in Tay Ho Tay, check Westlink's 2025–2026 tuition fees, or connect with Admissions for guidance on the next step.

Image: Westlink's campus, where parents can experience an authentic IB learning environment first-hand

By now, you have a clear picture of what the IB actually is: an international education system made up of four programmes — PYP, MYP, DP and CP — that helps students build critical thinking, language ability and a global outlook. More importantly, it's up to each family to work out whether the IB is the right fit for their child, and whether the school in question has actually been authorised by the IBO. If you're considering an IB pathway for your child, you can Book a tour of Westlink to see the learning environment, the programme, and how the school delivers the IB in practice.