When looking for a new school for your child, it is easy to be overwhelmed with information and educational jargon. Understandably, you would be looking for the best quality education for your child. To do that, it is essential to familiarise yourself with the different curriculums available to your child.

So, what are the IB and Cambridge curriculums, and which would suit your child better?

There is no denying the global impact of Western culture on our society today, with English being the most widely spoken language in the world. With it being the world's international language, it is no surprise that quality international education is taught in English.

Today, there are two leading international curriculums: the International Baccalaureate (IB) and the Cambridge curriculum.

Founded in 1968, the IB is a nonprofit educational foundation based in Geneva, Switzerland. It offers academic programmes for students at three different educational levels: the Primary Years Program (PYP) for elementary school, the Middle Years Program (MYP) for lower secondary school, and the Diploma Program for high school. 

On the other hand, formally known as the Cambridge Assessment International Education, the Cambridge board was founded in 1858 and is a part of the world-renowned University of Cambridge in the UK. It offers internationally recognised academic programmes for students at four educational levels: Cambridge Primary, Cambridge Lower Secondary, Cambridge Upper Secondary, and Cambridge Advanced. 

Usually, Cambridge is the curriculum of choice in Commonwealth nations, such as Singapore. Even in non-Commonwealth countries, the Cambridge curriculum is still highly regarded by top universities worldwide. The Cambridge curriculum has opened more academic possibilities for its students, with its high acceptance rate into top universities abroad. 

Cambridge at Bina Bangsa School

With over two decades of experience, BBS is one of the most experienced authorised education providers for the Cambridge Primary, Cambridge IGCSE, and Cambridge A-Level programmes in Indonesia. 

Following a Singaporean standard Cambridge curriculum, our students can develop their academic and communicative skills to become confident learners and scholars in the future. The wide range of co-curricular activities available to students also serves as opportunities for them to grow. 

By utilising a Singaporean-style approach to education, students benefit from a balance of quality Western education in our Cambridge curriculum, with the beneficial values of the Chinese culture, such as perseverance, diligence, and hard work, that are at the core of our philosophy at BBS. 

Throughout the past two decades of our Cambridge curriculum experience, BBS graduates have managed to secure a path to top local universities like Universitas Indonesia (UI), Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), and Universitas Prasetiya Mulia. Our graduates have also been accepted to top universities like the National University of Singapore (NUS), Princeton University, and Melbourne University on the international front. Some of these graduates enrolled through scholarship programmes to recognise their stellar academic record while studying in BBS. 

Thanks to Cambridge's highly recognised academic certification, the BBS alumni network today is scattered around the globe, from studying at reputable higher learning institutions worldwide to building a fruitful career among the globalised workforce today. 

How to apply

BBS accepts applications for all its six campuses in Jakarta, Bandung, Semarang, Malang, and Balikpapan for Pre-School, Primary, Secondary, and Junior College education levels. All our campuses adopt a Cambridge-based curriculum supported by an international squad of qualified teaching staff. Click here to find out how to apply.