Personal and Professional Skills (PPS) is a compulsory core component of the IBCP and acts as the “glue” that binds the entire programme together. It is designed to run over the two years of the course.

The course explicitly teaches the practical, transferable skills required for success in higher education and the workplace. It links the academic IB Diploma Programme subjects, the career-related study, and the other core components by challenging students to apply their knowledge to real-world scenarios.

Course Content

The curriculum is built around five central themes:

● Personal Development: Fostering self-awareness, resilience, and personal well-being.

● Intercultural Understanding: Developing the ability to navigate and respect diverse cultural perspectives.

● Effective Communication: Mastering oral, written, and non-verbal communication skills for different audiences and purposes.

● Thinking Processes: Sharpening critical thinking, creative thinking, and problem-solving skills.

● Applied Ethics: Analysing ethical dilemmas in the context of the student’s career path. This theme directly supports the research and analysis required for the Reflective Project.

Assessment

Assessment for PPS is internal and is not awarded a grade (like the Reflective Project’s A-E). Instead, it is a mandatory “pass/fail” component required to receive the full IBCP certificate.

To “pass” this component, you must create a PPS Portfolio over the two years of the course. This portfolio is a collection of your work that demonstrates how you have developed and applied your skills.

The portfolio must provide evidence of achieving the four key PPS assessment
objectives:

  • Thinking Skills
  • Communication Skills
  • Interpersonal Skills (Social Skills)
  • Personal Skills (Self-Management)

Student Profile

The PPS course is designed to develop students who are:

● Reflective: You are expected to be able to identify your own strengths and
weaknesses and take responsibility for your personal and academic growth.

● Collaborative: You must be an active participant in group discussions, activities, and projects, learning to work effectively as part of a team.

● Communicators: You will be challenged to articulate your ideas clearly, listen to
others, and adapt your communication style to different contexts.

● Thinkers: You must be willing to analyse complex problems, question assumptions, and consider issues from multiple perspectives.

● Principled: You will engage with real-world ethical questions, preparing
you for the responsibilities of your future career.