The extended essay offers IBDP students the opportunity to investigate a topic of special interest in one of the student’s six DP subjects.  It demands and develops independent research and writing skills expected at university.

The extended essay is a unique opportunity for students to explore an academic area in which they have a personal interest. This takes the form of an independently written research paper (maximum 4000 words) that allows students
to demonstrate their passion, enthusiasm, intellectual initiative and/or creative approach for their chosen topic. Such topics can range from focused, in-depth analyses of specific elements of a subject to critically evaluating responses to issues of global significance in the case of the world studies extended essay.  Students develop important transferable skills such as research, critical thinking, and self-management, which are communicated in the form of an academic piece of writing. Emphasis is placed on engagement and reflection on the research process, highlighting the journey the student has made on an intellectual and personal level and how it has changed them as a learner and affected the final essay.                                                                                                                          Extended Essay Guide 2018, p.34

The aims of the extended essay are for students to:
• engage in independent research with intellectual initiative and rigour
• develop research, thinking, self-management and communication skills
• reflect on what has been learned throughout the research and writing process.     Extended Essay Guide 2018, p.37

  • The extended essay is compulsory for all students taking the Diploma Programme.
  • A student must achieve a D or higher grade in the Extended Essay (and TOK) to be awarded the Diploma.
  • The extended essay is externally assessed and, in combination with the grade for theory of knowledge, contributes up to three points to the total score for the IB Diploma.
  • Students nominate their first two preferences. The IBDP Co-ordinator works with faculty teams to match supervisors with students.  Students and supervisor partnerships are communicated to them by email.
  • The extended essay is a piece of independent research on a topic chosen by the student in consultation with a supervisor in the school.
  • The extended essay is a formal piece of sustained academic writing containing no more than 4,000 words.  Guidance for writing the extended essay in the appropriate form is shown in the Extended Essay (Oxford) textbook
  • The extended essay is the result of approximately 40 hours of work by the student.
  • Students are supported by a supervision process recommended to be 3–5 hours, which includes three mandatory reflection sessions totalling 500 words.  All reflections are recorded on ManageBac.
  • Following the third reflection session, the supervisor conducts a viva voce, concluding interview, with the student.

Extended Essay (Oxford) is a required text.  This book clearly outlines all stages of the Extended Essay research and writing with specific information for each subject as well as referencing options.  Students should read and bring this text to all meetings with their supervisor.