IB DP Courses Pathway

The IB Diploma Programme (IB DP) Courses Pathway at UCC offers students increased flexibility to optimize DP course selections based on their unique areas of passion and postsecondary plans.

This pathway includes access to the same rigorous DP courses that are offered to all UCC Year 11 and 12 students, along with the flexibility for students to make selections based on their unique interests and circumstances.

Students in this pathway will be required to take:

  • UCC’s DP Core course (Theory of Knowledge (TOK); Extended Essay (EE); Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS))
  • and any combination of four or more higher level (HL) and/or standard level (SL) courses, selected based on individual needs, postsecondary aspirations and credit requirements (in consultation with the University Counselling Office)

Please note that parameters may be adjusted for documented student learning needs. Graduates of this pathway earn IB Course Certificates for the courses they complete and the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).

Frequently Asked Questions


WHO SHOULD TAKE THE IB DP COURSES PATHWAY?

All UCC Year 10 students will consult with the University Counseling Office on their graduation pathway options, as part of the application process.

This pathway may be ideal for students who:
  • are deeply interested in an area of academic specialization and may require certain courses to apply to their university programs of choice
    • For example, some direct-entry medicine, biomedical and engineering programs require three sciences. Similarly, students pursuing specialized arts or social science programs may benefit from taking three languages, arts or humanities courses
  • have a specific and documented learning need that may benefit from increased flexibility and course choices
  • are involved in elite-level athletics, elite-level arts, or have a significant service commitment outside of school

HOW DO STUDENTS APPLY?

Year 10 students entering Year 11 in September 2025 and after may apply to the IB DP Courses Pathway or the IB DP Systems Transformation Pathway after consulting with their university counsellor. Applications require sign-off from the UCC’s University Counselling Office and parents/guardians. A selection committee will review all applications.

HOW DOES THIS PATHWAY SUPPORT MY POSTSECONDARY AND UNIVERSITY ASPIRATIONS?

Graduates of the IB DP Courses Pathway will earn IB Course Certificates and the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), both of which are well regarded by top-tier universities. Students in this pathway have strong university prospects and will work with their university counsellors to ensure their course selections support their areas of interest and postsecondary plans.

ARE THE COURSES ON THIS PATHWAY THE SAME AS THOSE ON THE OTHER PATHWAYS?

Yes, students on this pathway will have access to all of the same rigorous DP courses available to UCC students in Years 11 and 12 with the exception of the new Systems Transformation: Innovation for a Better World course, which is only available to students on the IB DP Systems Transformation Pathway.

Read more IB DP Courses Pathways FAQs here.