A student entering the IBDP needs to undertake a full programme of study as shown below.

Course Structure

This programme consists of six elements:

Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature
Group 2: Language Acquisition
Group 3: Individuals and Societies
Group 4: Science
Group 5: Mathematics
Group 6: The Arts

On top of these six elements, it is also has three other mandatory components:

Theory of Knowledge (TOK): This course asks the students to reflect critically on the knowledge and experience acquired both within and beyond the classroom.

Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS): CAS complements the challenging academic programme by putting the IB philosophy into practice. In the three strands of experiences, which can be a self-choreographed ballet performance, a trek to the top of Lantau peak or a visit to the elderly's home, just to name a few, CAS challenges students to attempt something new out of academic studies and to demonstrate initiative, perseverance, problem-solving and decision-making skills. 

Extended Essay (EE): This is a research-based essay on a subject chosen by the student. Each student is assigned a teacher to guide them through the process of establishing a suitable research question, planning, researching, referencing and writing. It is nothing but a lot of hard work from both the students and teachers.  

Subject Choices

Students take six subjects, three of which must be studied at Higher Level (HL) and the other three at Standard Level (SL). Differences between Standard and Higher Level may lie in complexity and/or breadth, which vary among subjects. Higher level is taught with a minimum of 240 teaching hours and standard level 150 teaching hours. All subjects are offered at both levels except Spanish ab intio and Chinese B.

The subject choices currently offered at St Stephen’s are shown below. Students choose one in each subject group.

Subject 1
English Language and Literature
Chinese Language and Literature
Chinese Literature

Subject 2
English Language and Literature
English B
Chinese B (HL only)
Spanish ab initio (SL only)