Doha, July 16, 2020:   Students at ACS International School Doha have secured places at universities across the globe, including Northwestern and VCU Arts in Qatar, Swansea (UK), Nottingham (UK), San Diego, South Florida and California (US), following success in their International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) results.

The cohort of 21 students studying the DP at ACS Doha this year achieved an 100% pass rate. Many students will now begin their undergraduate courses studying subjects including: communications, biomedical science, fine arts, mechanical engineering, computer science and business marketing.

ACS Doha is committed to preparing its students to be internationally-minded, global citizens, and the students will take this mindset with them as they progress to higher education and begin careers around the world. 

This was an unusual and particularly challenging year for DP students with the International Baccalaureate cancelling this year’s spring examinations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, like other awarding bodies in the UK and around the world. However, this year’s DP qualifications are not based solely on teacher-predicted grades (like A levels and GCSE awards), but rather on externally-marked coursework that represents students’ demonstrated academic achievement. The IB’s altered award process resulted in some candidates receiving lower grades than expected. ACS Doha is supporting affected students in their university applications, monitoring global trends and reviewing results at all levels to ensure that graduates can progress as smoothly as possible to the next stage in their education.

Recent ACS Doha graduate Sanjana is going to study Business with Marketing at the University of Edinburgh: “There are many components of the IB that I think have helped improve my skills. The two most important are research skills and time management. Juggling six subjects with the IB’s Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS), Extended Essay, and Theory of Knowledge is no easy task. But with the help of my teachers I was able to effectively manage time and make sure I hand in quality work. Applying research skills and methods so early on in my life I think is a definite benefit of doing IB as it has prepared me for current times – research, knowing what sources to trust, reliability, validity, etc.

“All my teachers were of immense help and support throughout my four years. Whether it be in-class answering doubts, or answering promptly to urgent (late) emails, they always looked out for us and made sure we had the best resources. There was a level of trust that our grade shared with our teachers that made learning a lot more fun and engaging.”

The DP is an academically challenging programme of international education that prepares students aged 16 to 19 for success at university and in life beyond. 

Robert Cody, Head of School, ACS Doha, comments: “We are so proud of our students and staff as they work through the DP results for our students.  I want to thank the students for all the effort and hard work over the past two years.  The year 2020 continues to throw challenges your way and you continue to be upbeat and resilient.  The Class of 2020 is an amazing group of students and I can’t wait for you to have an impact on the larger world.'