Middle Years Programme (MYP)
The second programme by the International Baccalaureate® (IB), the Middle Years Programme (MYP) was introduced in 1994. Designed as an inclusive, whole-school programme for students aged 11–16, the MYP is now implemented by 1,358 schools in 108 countries. As of September 2019, there were 6,812 programmes offered worldwide across 5,175 IB schools.
How the MYP Works
The Middle Years Programme helps students develop both subject-specific and interdisciplinary understanding. The MYP curriculum framework includes:
- Approaches to learning (ATL): developing skills for research, critical and creative thinking, communication, collaboration, and self-management.
- Key and related concepts: exploring big ideas that matter.
- Global contexts: understanding the relevance and importance of learning for our common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet.
Subject Groups
The IB MYP comprises eight subject groups:
- Language acquisition
- Language and literature
- Individuals and societies
- Sciences
- Mathematics
- Arts
- Physical and health education
- Design
In Years 4 and 5, students may choose courses from six of the eight subject groups to allow greater flexibility in meeting local requirements and individual learning needs. Science divides into Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (from which Physics and Chemistry are compulsory).
Additionally, Learning Alliance International MYP students must:
- Complete 25 hours of their Personal Project, engaging in inquiry, action, and reflection cycles through practical exploration.
MYP Students Tend to Be
- Active learners
- Goal-oriented
- Internationally minded
- Empathic
- Intellectually skilled to pursue a life of purpose and meaning
- Effective communicators
- Explorative in learning preferences
- Risk-takers
- Reflective with a strong sense of personal identity
Why Choose MYP?
- Builds confidence in managing one’s own learning.
- Connects classroom learning to the larger world.
- Helps students outperform non-IB peers in key academic skills.
- Leads to greater success in the IB Diploma Programme examinations.
- Encourages engagement within positive, motivating school cultures.
- Fosters understanding of global challenges and responsible citizenship.
The MYP was revised in 2014 to provide a more rigorous yet flexible framework aligning with local education standards. New on-screen exams and ePortfolios allow reliable, digital assessment of student achievement.
How eAssessment Works
Once a school registers for eAssessment in the MYP, the IB assesses students’ work through:
- ePortfolios of coursework (including a compulsory one for the Personal Project).
- Two-hour on-screen examinations.
The graphic below shows how these two types of assessment divide across the MYP’s subject groups.
Source: IBO website – “Benefits for Universities”
