Diploma Years

Welcome to the Diploma Years

The Diploma Years mark a significant transition academically, personally and socially. Students enter a more independent phase of school life in which they are expected to take ownership of their learning, manage competing commitments and prepare deliberately for life beyond Amity.

Expectations are higher. Academic study deepens. Conversations become more purposeful. Students are treated as emerging young adults, and professional standards of conduct, presentation and responsibility reflect this shift. Diploma students model leadership across the school, serving as Head Students, Prefects, Heads of Houses and mentors, and representing Amity with maturity and integrity.

All students are taught by highly qualified subject specialists, supported through a structured tutor system and guided by bespoke university and careers counselling tailored to their ambitions.

Students progress to one of two clearly defined routes to graduation.

Academic Guidance and Leadership

Throughout the Diploma Years, students benefit from small tutor groups providing structured academic and pastoral oversight. Specialist teachers guide depth and extension within each discipline, while the university and careers team supports applications across the UK, Europe, the Netherlands, the United States, Canada and beyond.

Students are supported in making informed decisions about subject combinations, university applications and future pathways, ensuring alignment between academic performance and long-term ambition.

They leave Amity not only with recognised qualifications, but with the independence and intellectual confidence required to thrive in higher education and professional environments.

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Diploma Pathways at a glance

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

Six subjects across IB groups
Three Higher Level and three Standard Level courses
Includes Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay and Creativity, Activity, Service
Externally assessed and globally benchmarked
Option to achieve the IB Bilingual Diploma

Best suited for students seeking a rigorous, internationally recognised pre-university qualification.

Amity High School Diploma (NEASC Accredited)

Credit-based graduation pathway
Defined requirements across core academic disciplines
Flexible subject combinations
NEASC-aligned school-based diploma
Supported progression to appropriate post-18 destinations

Best suited for students seeking a structured and supported route to graduation aligned to individual strengths and future goals.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP)

The IB Diploma Programme is an academically demanding and internationally recognised qualification respected by leading universities worldwide.

Students study six subjects, one from each group, taking three at Higher Level and three at Standard Level:

Group 1: Language and Literature
Group 2: Language Acquisition
Group 3: Individuals and Societies
Group 4: Sciences
Group 5: Mathematics
Group 6: The Arts (or a second subject from Groups 1–4)

IB Subject Groups

As candidates for the IB Diploma Programme, students are required to select one subject from each of Groups 1-5 and a sixth subject, either from Group 6 or a second subject from Group 3 or 4. At least 3, and no more than 4, of the subjects, must be completed at Higher Level (HL).

Please keep in mind that our list of subject offerings is subject to change based on interest levels. Subjects that do not reach minimum enrolment may be dropped for the upcoming year.

Several other options may be available using Pamoja, a provider of online taught courses which is approved by the International Baccalaureate Organisation.

Amity International School Amsterdam is offering the following subjects:

Subject Groups

Subject Selection

Group 1:

Language and Literature

English Language and Literature (SL, HL)
Dutch Language and Literature (SL)
French Language and Literature (SL)
Spanish Language and Literature (SL)
School Supported Self-Taught Languages*

*For School Supported Self-taught languages (e.g. Japanese), please contact the DP Coordinator to discuss options and possible additional fees. We are currently collaborating with the Egawa Learning Center to support our Japanese students: https://www.egawalc.com/

Group 2:

Language Acquisition

English B (SL)
Dutch B (SL)
Dutch Ab initio (SL)
French B (SL)
Spanish B (SL)
Spanish Ab initio (SL)

Group 3:

Individuals and Societies

Business Management (SL, HL)
History (SL, HL)
Economics (SL, HL)
Environmental Systems and Societies (SL)
Psychology (SL, HL)

Group 4:

Sciences

Chemistry (SL, HL)
Biology (SL, HL)
Physics (SL, HL)
Design & Technology (SL)
Sports, Exercise and Health Science (SL)
Environmental Systems and Societies (SL)

Group 5:

Mathematics

Mathematics – Applications & Interpretations (SL, HL)
Mathematics – Analysis & Approaches (SL, HL)

Group 6:

The Arts

Music (SL)
Visual Arts (SL)
Theatre (SL)

Students may choose a second subject from Groups 1–4 instead of an Arts subject.

General Subject Group Information

The DP is made up of six subject groups with three components in the core as. Our school will offer a range of IB Diploma Programme courses within the following six subject groups:

Studies in language and literature;
Language acquisition;
Individuals and societies;
Sciences;
Mathematics;
The arts.

Course selection guidance - International Baccalaureate® (ibo.org)

DP Core Subjects

The Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course, together with the Extended Essay (EE) and Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) are three additional academic requirements unique to the DP.

Theory of Knowledge (TOK)

The Theory of Knowledge is an integral component of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme classes. It focuses on the nature of knowledge and how it is acquired. The TOK course invites students to reflect on what they already know and how they came to know it.

Students examine their ideas, reflect on their assumptions, biases and prejudices that they may have taken for granted.

Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS)

Extended Essay (EE)

Entry Requirements

Entry to the IBDP is based on demonstrated academic readiness and the ability to manage a demanding programme of study.

As the majority of courses and assessments are conducted in English, students must have a secure level of academic English to access the curriculum successfully. Students who require further language development may be supported through the Accelerated English Acquisition Pathway prior to commencing the full IBDP pathway.

Final pathway decisions are made in consultation with senior leaders and subject specialists to ensure appropriate placement and long-term success.

Requirements to Complete IB Diploma

Students are expected to achieve certain score markers on their exams for receiving the IB Diploma. To be more specific, they must score 24 points or more between all their IB exams. Here are a few other requirements you need to fulfil to receive your diploma:

All CAS requirements must be met
There must be no grade “N” awarded for TOK, the Extended Essay, or a contributing subject
There must be no grade “E” awarded for TOK or the Extended Essay
There is no grade 1 at any level
Not more than two-grade 2s are awarded (SL or HL)
There are not more than three-grade 3s or below awarded
At least 12 points must be gained on HL subjects
At least 9 points must be gained on SL subjects
The student has not received any penalty for misconduct from the final award committee

Course selection guidance - International Baccalaureate® (ibo.org)

Amity High School Diploma (NEASC-Accredited)

The Amity High School Diploma provides an alternative route to graduation within our NEASC-accredited framework.

This pathway is based on the successful completion of a defined credit programme across core academic disciplines and electives. Students meet graduation requirements in English, mathematics, sciences, humanities and additional subject areas, earning credits towards the Amity High School Diploma.

The pathway enables students to complete their secondary education within a structured academic framework while maintaining clear expectations and progression planning. It supports access to appropriate post-18 destinations, with subject choices aligned carefully to future study goals.

NEASC Accreditation