Expert IB Tutoring for Dubai International Students
The IB Diploma Programme is designed to be a challenge for all students. However, this means that many struggle to keep up with the Programme’s rigour without adequate support. This is true regardless of whether the student is based in Dubai, New York, or Hong Kong. Indeed, Dubai international schools are limited by many of the same factors that limit students’ achievement worldwide, including class sizes and the breadth of the course content. This is exacerbated by the international school system, where many of the teachers and administrators have not taken the IB themselves. Many of Dubai’s international schools are affiliated with UK schools that actually prioritise the UK education system, meaning that many students will struggle to achieve top marks in the Programme without support from experienced and professional IB tutors with first hand experience of the qualification.
The IB seeks to foster reflective and critical thinkers but, often in English Language and Literature or Theory of Knowledge, teenagers can fail to engage due to disinterest, poor teacher-student relationship, or weaknesses in their underlying foundation. This can occur regardless of whether students are coming from the UK curriculum (popular among Dubai international schools), or the IB Middle Years Programme. Dedicated IB tutoring is essential in helping candidates advance.
Dubai’s tutoring centres and industry tends to approach IB preparation through standardised online courses. While these are a decent first step, they are often ineffective compared to the rigour and individualisation provided by one-to-one tutoring, whether online or in-person. All Dubai students could benefit from a specific and individual mentoring approach.
BartyED’s IB tutors, teaching online for Dubai-based students, break this mould with individualised IB tutoring for students at all levels. Our expert IB tutors help candidates improve by engaging them individually, working together through the rigours of the IB Diploma Programme until mastery is achieved, and beyond. BartyED believes that all students are capable of meeting their potential on the IBDP. There is something of a formula to success in the IB Diploma Programme, and BartyED uses this to encourage students to ever greater achievement. Success in the IB depends on three things:
Awareness of the syllabus (what you need to get a 7)
Time management (organising and staying on top of your tasks)
Willingness to improve (addressed in the mentoring process)
All of these factors are maximised with BartyED’s IB tutors, available online in Dubai.
BartyED’s holistic teaching approach has guided countless students to success in the IB Diploma Programme around the world, including Dubai. Our expert IB tutors provide unparalleled support, mentorship and academic advice for students in Dubai and overseas. Get in touch today to learn about how a BartyED IB tutor can support your IB Diploma journey.
Find out more about other subjects we tutor:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the IBDP and its curriculum?
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP, or just generally referred to as IB) is a challenging, two-year school leaving certificate aimed at those with a broad international outlook and wide academic interests offered at many international schools around the world, including in Dubai. Many seek out a tutor for assistance in this challenging programme. The IBDP curriculum is made up of six subject groups and the Diploma Programme core, which includes Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) and the Extended Essay (EE). The Programme is open to those aged 16 to 19, and is accepted for admission into universities worldwide.
BartyED IB tutoring programmes offer Dubai students support across their subjects, as well as in submission of TOK projects and the EE.
How does IB grading work?
The final DP grade is out of 45, which is made up of a score out of 7 for each subject (coming to a total of 42 possible marks) as well as three additional core points from the Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge. All of our IB tutors are highly trained professionals, and understand how to deliver an effective IB tutoring program for high grades. Students must gain at least 12 points overall in their Higher Level choices and at least 9 at Standard Level to receive an IB Diploma, although our IB tutors also support candidates taking the less-demanding IB Certificate. Graduates must also score more than 24 points overall and receive passing grades in each class.
This makes the IB just as much of an organisational challenge as it is for content and exam technique. BartyED’s IB tutors have extensive experience in coaching across these different skills.
Can I apply to US universities from Dubai with the IB?
Yes, US universities accept the IB as part of a candidate’s admissions portfolio. In fact, many universities and colleges see it as particularly prestigious due to its breadth and academic rigour. This means that students applying from Dubai with IB grades can stand a better chance at admission than their non-IB counterparts. Admissions opportunities are only enhanced through effective support and mentoring programmes from qualified tutors, such as those at BartyED. Applicants to US universities and colleges are also expected to complete the SAT or ACT.
Do UK universities prefer IB or A-Levels?
Dubai students and applicants face no disadvantage in applying for UK universities with the IB Diploma rather than A-Levels. Indeed, many of BartyED’s IB tutors were educated at the UK’s top universities (e.g. Durham, UCL and Oxford). When it comes to UK university applications, the A-Level is still the benchmark against which most universities set their entry requirements for courses. However, the IB is accepted by all universities and they publish the minimum score required for entry for each course. A-Levels are simply more common in the UK, as it is a high school qualification studied in England, Wales and Northern Ireland pre-university.
BartyED’s IB tutors can advise applicants around the world, including in Dubai, on application strategy for UK universities and advise an appropriate extension tutoring program for those targeting the most competitive universities (e.g. Oxford or Cambridge).
Is the IB easy?
No, the IB is not an easy qualification, but students can maximize their chance of success by carefully choosing their combination of studies. Those who struggle with compulsory courses in Math, Science, or Language can take the Standard Level course, which involves less content and fewer teaching hours than their Higher Level counterparts. The IB is known to be demanding and challenging, which is why seeking extra support from qualified IB tutors can help maximise scores.
Is IB harder than A-Levels?
The IB requires students to combine academic breadth and rigorous study habits, which presents a significant challenge to any student. In that sense, it can be viewed as more difficult than A-Levels. While A-Levels only demands three subjects, the IB demands six, including two languages, Math, Science, and Humanities/Social Science. On top of this, there are the compulsory TOK, EE, and CAS elements that students must pass to receive their diploma. This makes the A-Levels more specialised, while the IB is more rounded. Some may struggle to do as well in the IB because of the range of work and attention that a greater number of classes demands.
Whether online or in-person, BartyED IB tutors employ a structured approach to tackling academic work. They coach efficient time management as well as academic skills. This ensures that those who wish to succeed can study independently and effectively to improve their IB score.
How much does IB tutoring cost?
The best individualised IB tuition costs 650 AED per hour for the following reasons.
IB students should be able to study independently to achieve excellent results. In theory, extra IB tuition or support should be unnecessary. Many of BartyED’s expert IB tutors completed the IB Diploma themselves without extra tutoring, achieving very high scores.
As such, BartyED’s team of IB tutors have noted that value can best be added to candidates (in Dubai and worldwide) through supporting students to develop lifelong study skills and habits, alongside consolidating the more complex elements of the student’s course. Here, BartyED’s individualised expert IB tuition, coupled with holistic support, ensures access to key material and a demonstrable improvement in grades.
What sets BartyED apart is that our tutors have extensive experience coaching IB students in ways that best demonstrate their strengths, regardless of their underlying ability.