Subject choice advice
The MYP as a school-leaving certificate is currently seen by institutes of higher education as a valid entry requirement to ‘junior college’ level.
In The Netherlands MYP graduates can, depending on achievement, apply for entry to MBO (Middelbaar Beroeps Onderwijs) institutes. HBO (Hoger Beroeps Onderwijs) institutes will not accept MYP as sufficient qualification for entry. MBO institutes (often referred to as ROC’s) in The Netherlands offer an increasing range of Degree Course studies with English as the working language. Hospitality Management, Business Studies, Graphic design and Computer Game Design are among the choices.The IBDP is considered an excellent school-leaving certificate which gains students university entry world-wide.
Selection criteria concerning point totals, subjects at Higher or Standard level and number of Certificates gained instead of full Diploma vary per country, university or college, and Degree Course.
It is important for students and their families to research available options thoroughly and well in advance of subject choice time or graduation, with the help from the Careers Office.
Subject choice for Years 10 and 12.
For many Degree Courses entry to university or college does not require specific subjects, although for some areas certain subjects are strongly advised. Examples include History for Law and International Relations, Geography for Social Sciences, Languages for Hospitality Management.
Below please find information concerning Degree Courses that do require specific subject packages, which must be considered when choosing subjects for Years 10 and 12, particularly when applying to universities and colleges in the UK and Holland.
Please note that dropping a Science subject for Year 10 makes it extremely difficult to take up this subject in Year 12 at IB Standard Level, and impossible to take up the subject at IB Higher Level. The same applies for Languages. This does not apply for Humanities and the Arts.
Medicine, Veterinary Science and Dentistry
Students who are considering studying medicine at university should first study the course requirements of the target universities. Many universities, for example those in the UK, only require two sciences, emphasizing biology and chemistry in particular. These subjects would almost certainly need to be at a Higher Level in IB. Some universities may also stipulate mathematics, at least at IB Standard Level if not at IB Higher Level.
In The Netherlands at present all three main sciences are required, which does not fit in with the general conditions of the IB diploma programme. Via NUFFIC we have identified an IB package which will meet the requirements of medical faculties in The Netherlands:
Biology, Chemistry Higher; Physics Higher or Standard (must include the options Medical Physics and Optics); Maths Methods (Standard)
Dutch B Higher; some universities require Dutch A Higher or A Standard
Psychology
Maths Methods (Standard) in IB
Economics and Business
Take at least IB Maths Methods (Standard), IB Maths Higher for Econometrics. Students are strongly advised to take IB Economics Higher or IB Business Higher.
Technical Studies.
IB Maths Higher is often required or strongly advised and, depending on the specific area, one or two of the Sciences Higher or Standard. Please check specific university requirements; Some Dutch technical universities in particular are relaxing entry requirements.
Deficiencies If an applicant does not meet the subject requirements of a Dutch university he/she can attend a ‘deficiency course’ at the James Boswell Institute in Utrecht or a course organised by the university itself. However, applicants must have passed this course by May 15 of their exam year (for courses starting in the Autumn) to be eligible for university admission. For further information contact the Careers Office. |
