IBCP Core Level 3

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.

What is the International Baccalaureate Careers-related Programme (IBCP)?

The IB Careers-related Programme (IBCP) is an innovative education framework for students aged 16 to 19 incorporating the vision and educational principles of the IB into a unique programme specifically tailored for students who wish to engage in career-related learning. The IBCP’s flexibility allows schools to meet the needs, backgrounds and contexts of students with each school creating its own distinct version of the IBCP.

The aim of the IBCP is to provide students with both an academic and practical foundation to support both their further studies and specialized training, thereby ensuring their success in the workforce.

The IBCP combines highly regarded and internationally recognized IB Diploma Programme courses with an approved career-related study and a unique IBCP core. IBCP students engage with a challenging programme of study that genuinely interests them while gaining transferable and lifelong skills in applied knowledge, critical thinking, communication, and cross-cultural engagement. They are well prepared to succeed at institutions of higher learning.

The components of the course are:

Students choose a minimum of 2 (Maximum 3) IB Diploma Subjects, each from a different block

and

either 1 or 2 of the Career-related subjects, again each from a different block as outlined below:

IB Diploma Subject Choices:

Block 1:

• Mathematics: Applications and Interpretations
• Visual Arts
• Geography
• French

Block 2 :

• English Language and Literature
• Biology
• Business Management
• Dance

Block 3:

• Information Technology in a Global Society
• Film Studies
• Social and Cultural Anthropology
• Chemistry

Block 4:

• Theatre
• History
• Design Technology

If you are interested in studying other I.B Diploma subjects please contact Skinners' Kent Academy directly.

Career-related studies

At the Skinners' Kent Academy students can choose one of the following from each block, or just one subject overall in addition to their IB Diploma Subject choices:

Block 1

• BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Health & Social Care
• BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Sport
• BTEC level 3 National Extended Certificate in Applied Psychology
• BTEC level 3 National Extended Certificate in Music Performance

Block 2

• BTEC level 3 National Extended Certificate in Applied Science
• BTEC level 3 National Extended Certificate in Art and Design
• Level 3 Diploma in Food Science and Nutrition
• LIBF Diploma in Financial Studies

The IBCP Core

The IBCP Core bridges the IB academic courses and the career-related study and provides students with a combination of academic and practical skills. Four interrelated components form the core.

• Personal and professional skills - designed for students to develop attitudes, skills and strategies to be applied to personal and professional situations and contexts now and in the future. In this course the emphasis is on skills development for the workplace, as these are transferable and can be applied in a range of situations.
• Service learning - encourages the development and application of knowledge and skills towards meeting an identified and authentic community need. In this research-based approach, students often undertake service initiatives related to topics studied previously in their academic disciplines, utilising skills, understandings and values developed in these studies.
• The reflective project is an in-depth body of work produced over an extended period of time and submitted towards the end of the CP. Through a reflective project students identify, analyse, critically discuss and evaluate an ethical issue arising from their career-related studies. The reflective project is intended to promote high-level research, writing and extended communication skills, intellectual discovery and creativity.
• Language Development ensures that all students have access to and exposed to a language programme that will assist and further their understanding of the wider world. The ability to communicate in more than one language is essential to the IB’s concept of an international education. Language development encourages students to improve their proficiency in a language other than their best language.

Exams at the end of each DP course: Diploma Programme (DP) courses within the CP are assessed in accordance with rigorous international standards. Students take written examinations at the end of their courses, which are marked by external IB examiners. The marks awarded for each course range from 1 (lowest) to 7 (highest).

Every CP student must complete the four elements of the CP core; the reflective project, service learning, personal and professional skills, and language development. The reflective project is assessed by the school and moderated and graded by the IB. They are graded from A to E, with A being the highest. The school is responsible for confirming with the IB that students have completed the requirements for service learning, personal and professional skills and language development. These are assessed by the school.

Assesment and exams in the Career-related Study options

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 also apply.

Progression to Further Qualifications:

The IBCP has been designed to remove the distinction that exists in many educational systems around the world between knowledge and practical skills, and in doing so, maximise the effectiveness of young people as they continue their education, enter the workforce and take their place in society. Depending on your pathway of study this course can lead to higher education and/or apprenticeships.