IBFY
What is the IB Foundation Year (IBFY)?
The International Baccalaureate Foundation Year (IBFY) is a one-year academic programme designed for students in Grade 10, serving as a transition between the Middle Years Programme (MYP) and the IBFY Programme (DP) or the Career-related Programme (CP). It prepares students for the academic and personal challenges of the IB by fostering critical thinking, independent learning, and effective communication. While not an official IB programme, the IBFY is built on IB principles and has been recognized and supported as a successful transitional model by the IB.
Students in the IBFY take six subjects across different academic disciplines and engage in additional components such as Academic Writing and Research Skills, the Global Citizenship Research Project, and Career and University Planning led by the University and Career Counselling Office (UCCO). These elements help students strengthen essential academic skills, explore global issues, and plan for their future educational and professional goals.
The IBFY also provides flexibility in subject selection and supports students in discovering their academic interests without locking them into fixed choices for the DP or CP. At the European School, the IBFY is delivered in English (alongside Georgian or Russian for Literature subjects) and taught by experienced educators who also teach in the DP/CP. Whether students are considering academic or career-oriented pathways, the IB Foundation Year provides a strong and supportive foundation for success in Grade 11 and beyond.
Why Choose the IB Foundation Year at the European School?
The European School introduced the IB Foundation Year in response to over a decade of data and feedback from students and educators. This forward-thinking programme aims to strengthen academic readiness and smooth the transition from MYP to IB DP/CP.
Delivered by teachers who also lead DP and CP courses, the IBFY aligns closely with IB standards. Instruction emphasizes inquiry-based learning, academic rigor, ethical thinking, and the development of a global perspective-hallmarks of the IB approach.
Students benefit from a wide selection of subjects across six academic groups, while also participating in specially designed components like research skills training, a global citizenship project, and future-planning sessions with UCCO. This combination of academic depth and personal development allows students to build the skills needed for success in Grades 11 and 12 while discovering their interests in a low-pressure environment.
Choosing the IBFY at the European School means joining a structured, supportive programme that builds confidence, independence, and readiness for international education.
