IB CAREER-RELATED PROGRAMME
Preparing students to follow their chosen pathways in life.
The IB Career-Related Programme is a rigorous two-year qualification designed for students who have a clear sense of direction — those who want to connect their academic studies to a specific career field and develop practical, real-world skills alongside their academic ones.
At The Island Private School, our CP focuses on Entrepreneurship and Technology, preparing students to think creatively, work independently, and lead with confidence in a fast-changing world. It is not a simplified version of the IB Diploma Programme — it is a distinct, demanding pathway that simply measures achievement differently.
At The Island Private School, our CP focuses on Entrepreneurship and Technology, preparing students to think creatively, work independently, and lead with confidence in a fast-changing world. It is not a simplified version of the IB Diploma Programme — it is a distinct, demanding pathway that simply measures achievement differently.
Who Is This Programme For?
If your child works best when they can see a clear purpose behind what they are studying, and if they thrive when given agency over their learning, the CP may be the right path for them.
The CP is best suited for students who:
The CP is best suited for students who:
Have a particular career interest in mind, whether in business, technology, fashion, hospitality, or the creative industries
Prefer continuous, project-based assessment over traditional end-of-year examinations
Are self-motivated and able to manage multiple deadlines and ongoing projects simultaneously
Are looking for a balance between academic study and applied, career-focused learning
- How the programme is structuredThe CP combines three elements: a selection of IB Diploma Programme (DP) academic subjects at Higher Level or Standard level, a Career-Related Study (CRS) qualification, and the CP Core. The DP subjects are selected to complement their career pathway. For example, a student interested in business and technology might choose Business Management, Computer Science, and Mathematics.
We always encourage students to include Mathematics as one of their subjects, particularly those considering universities in Europe or the United Kingdom, where it is widely expected.
Career-Related Study
The Career-Related Study makes up between 30 and 50 per cent of the programme and is where students develop hands-on, career-specific expertise. This component is assessed through continuous coursework, portfolios, and practical tasks, not final examinations.
CP Core
The CP Core is the unifying thread that runs through the entire programme. It is not externally examined (with one exception, noted below), but it is central to how students develop as independent learners and responsible members of their community.
The CP Core
The CP Core consists of four interconnected components, all of which are non-examined. They are assessed internally, and in our experience, students engage with this part of the programme with considerable pride.
Six ten-week project blocks in which students explore themes such as identity, community, and their vision for the future. Each block results in a concrete artefact and contributes to the student's IBCP Portfolio, which documents their growth over the two years.
Students identify real problems within their local community, work collaboratively to develop solutions, and where possible, put those solutions into practice. This is not a volunteering exercise but a genuine problem-solving process.
Students engage with a language and culture of personal significance to them — whether a heritage language, the language of their intended country of study, or simply a culture they wish to understand more deeply. This is a low-pressure, exploratory component that includes film, cooking, traditions, and basic communication.
The one externally assessed element of the CP Core. Students produce a piece of work of up to 3,000 words (or equivalent) that examines an ethical dilemma connected to their Career-Related Study. Past topics have included the ethics of social media age restrictions and the use of edited imagery in advertising. Students may present their work as a written essay, documentary, podcast, or interview. It is graded A to E by IB examiners, with a D required to pass.
What Makes the CP Different at The Island Private School
- A genuinely personalised programmeNo two students at our school follow exactly the same CP. The combination of DP subjects, CRS provider, CRS size, reflective project topic, and language of study means that each student builds a programme around their own goals and interests.
- University-level academic exposureStudents who choose the SUMAS pathway are studying genuine undergraduate content delivered by a Swiss university. This is a significant academic undertaking that prepares students exceptionally well for higher education.
- Work experienceWe offer work experience as an optional component and strongly encourage students to pursue it where possible. We understand that this can be challenging in Cyprus due to local labour regulations, and it is not a requirement, but for those who can access it, it adds meaningful depth to the programme.
- Real business experienceStudents on the BTEC pathway spend two years actually building and running a business. By the time they apply to university, they have direct entrepreneurial experience to draw upon — not just theoretical knowledge.
Our Career-Related study providers
SUMAS — Sustainability Management School SUMAS offers university-level modules delivered through a digital learning portal, making it one of the most academically rigorous CRS options available. In Year 1, students explore the foundations of sustainability. In Year 2, they specialise in one of several tracks:
- Sustainable Entrepreneurship
- Sustainable Fashion
- Sustainable Finance and Digitalisation
- Hospitality and Sustainable Tourism
Because these are genuine undergraduate modules, students who take this route are already experiencing university-level study before they graduate.
Pearson BTEC — International Qualification in Business Entrepreneurship. The BTEC is a globally recognised qualification in which students design, launch, and run a real business over the course of two years. Assessment is ongoing and practical — students are evaluated not on whether their business succeeds commercially, but on the quality of their decision-making, problem-solving, and reflection throughout the process. Students may opt for a Subsidiary Diploma (alongside three to four DP subjects) or a full Diploma (alongside two to three DP subjects), depending on how much of the programme they wish to dedicate to career-related study.
Pearson BTEC — International Qualification in Business Entrepreneurship. The BTEC is a globally recognised qualification in which students design, launch, and run a real business over the course of two years. Assessment is ongoing and practical — students are evaluated not on whether their business succeeds commercially, but on the quality of their decision-making, problem-solving, and reflection throughout the process. Students may opt for a Subsidiary Diploma (alongside three to four DP subjects) or a full Diploma (alongside two to three DP subjects), depending on how much of the programme they wish to dedicate to career-related study.
Student profiles examples: who chooses the CP?
These examples illustrate the flexibility of the programme: two students on the same pathway, working towards the same qualification, with entirely different academic combinations, career focuses, and learning experiences.
- Sophia wants to work in technology entrepreneurship. She takes four DP subjects — including Business Management, Computer Science, and Mathematics at Higher Level — alongside a small BTEC qualification. Her Reflective Project examines the ethics of algorithms in digital marketing, and she is seeking work experience at a technology company.SophiaCP student
- André is passionate about fashion design. Academics are not his strongest suit, but creativity and visual thinking are. He takes two DP subjects and a full BTEC Diploma, where he is developing his fashion business and building a substantial portfolio. If he were to choose SUMAS, he would specialise in Sustainable Fashion. His Reflective Project explores ethical standards in the fashion industry.AndréCP student
University destinations
The CP is increasingly recognised by universities worldwide, and our students have received offers from institutions across the United States, the United Kingdom, continental Europe, and beyond. Recent acceptances include New York University, Arizona State University, the University of East London, and Constructor University in Germany.
CP graduates are particularly well positioned for private universities and specialist institutions that value portfolios, practical skills, and evidence of career focus. These include institutions such as Istituto Marangoni (fashion) and IE Madrid (sustainability and business).
CP graduates are particularly well positioned for private universities and specialist institutions that value portfolios, practical skills, and evidence of career focus. These include institutions such as Istituto Marangoni (fashion) and IE Madrid (sustainability and business).
We work closely with each student to identify universities where their programme and profile will be most competitive, and our university counsellor provides personalised guidance throughout the process.
It is important to note that university recognition of the CP varies by country. Some public universities in continental Europe may not fully accept vocational-style qualifications, and certain institutions — particularly those focused on research — expect students to have studied a broader academic range. Our team will always advise families honestly about the options available based on their child's goals and intended destinations.
It is important to note that university recognition of the CP varies by country. Some public universities in continental Europe may not fully accept vocational-style qualifications, and certain institutions — particularly those focused on research — expect students to have studied a broader academic range. Our team will always advise families honestly about the options available based on their child's goals and intended destinations.
- Is the CP the Right Choice?The CP is a serious, demanding programme that rewards students who are curious, self-directed, and clear about where they want to go. It is not easier than the IB Diploma — it simply asks something different of students. Rather than preparing for final examinations, CP students must manage ongoing project work, meet internal deadlines, collaborate with others, and continually reflect on their learning.
Students who thrive on this programme are those who can sustain momentum independently, who find purpose in connecting their studies to real-world outcomes, and who want to arrive at university not just with a qualification, but with a portfolio of meaningful work and genuine experience.
FAQ
The DP consists of six academic courses plus a different core than the CP. The DP core components are creativity, activity, service (CAS), a theory of knowledge course (TOK) and an extended essay. Moreover, the DP does not include a career-related course of study.
College and career readiness refers not only to content knowledge but skills and habits that students must have to succeed in postsecondary education or training that leads directly to the workforce. In addition to providing academic rigour, IB programmes develop skills such as time management and critical thinking that have been identified as necessary to successfully navigate, persist in and complete university.
All CP teachers receive professional development in the IB’s approaches to teaching and approaches to learning from certified IB workshop leaders. This is a requirement for IB World Schools implementing the CP.