IB Digital Society

Applications Open: Now

Applications Close: 27 February 2026

Entry Requirements: - 5 GCSE's 4 or above including English and Maths

How to Apply

Internal students - Please apply via Applicaa using this link - https://skinnerskentacademy.applicaa.com/year12

External students - Please apply via KentChoices using this link - https://www.kentprospectus.co.uk/login. Please note - after sending your application, you'll receive a welcome email from Applicaa asking for further information.

This course involves the study and evaluation of the impact of information technology (IT) on individuals and society. It explores the advantages and disadvantages of the access to and use of digitised information at the local and global level.

ITGS provides a framework for the student to make informed judgments and decisions about the use of IT within social contexts. The ITGS framework is modelled on a ‘triangle’. It uses an integrated approach, encouraging students to question the role of information and communication technologies in contemporary society.

Teachers are entrusted to use professional judgement in determining the best delivery of the ITGS course.

The ITGS triangle

Composed of three strands, with interrelating topics within each:

• Social and Ethical Significance
• Application to specified scenarios
• IT Systems

Students also complete a project that assesses their practical application of IT skills developed during the course.

Key features of the curriculum and assessment models

• Two courses are offered, Standard Level (SL) that requires 150 hours of teaching time over two years, and Higher Level (HL) that requires 240 hours.
• The ITGS course is based on three interconnected strands; Social and ethical significance, Application to specified scenarios, IT systems.
• The ITGS triangle lies at the heart of the pedagogy. With an understanding of the information technologies, students must be able to evaluate social/ethical issues in specified scenarios.
• The course is continuously reviewed to ensure it is current and relevant. Minor changes in syllabus content may be introduced each May, for first examinations two years later.
• ITGS requires students to have strong research and higher order thinking skills.
• Teachers may choose any relevant contemporary article to illustrate scenarios. A vibrant wiki has been developed to help teachers share resources.
• Collaboration between schools, teachers and students is encouraged. Teachers need to keep abreast of emerging online tools, applications and hardware.
• A component (HL only) is linked to the annually issued case study. This requires students to investigate a new topic related to the subject in greater depth.
• ITGS requires students to develop a product that would be suitable for a client. The aim of this assessment is to support and prepare students for the workplace.

Internal Assessment - 20%

External Assessment - 3 Papers, 80%

General Entry Requirement for The Skinners’ Kent Academy Sixth Form

Minimum of GCSE grade 4 (G4) in English and Mathematics plus 3 other GCSEs at grades 9-4

Subject specific minimum entry requirements are:

ITGS: G5 English and G5 Mathematics

ITGS covers a wide range of I.T. topics and is suitable for those who are interested in these areas. ITGS is the perfect platform to study social informatics at university level.