The International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Career-related Programme (CP) enables students to combine practical, hands-on experience with the academic rigour of the IB to prepare you for progression to an apprenticeship, higher education, or employment.
Our CP alumni have gone on to become west end stars, professional sports players, coaches, and health, social and support workers following their studies with us. We are also proud to share that one of our CP alumna was the first in the world to secure a place The University of Cambridge.
At Impington International College, we offer the following programmes:
If you are looking to enter the professional worlds of dance, music or theatre, our Performance School will provide you with a rigorous training programme that will stimulate your creativity, refine your practice and broaden your performance attributes.
All of our performance students benefit from professional coaching and training with industry experts, such as the London School of Contemporary Dance, with the opportunity to take part in a programme of theatre visits, workshops and live performances throughout the academic year. You will also have the opportunity to take part in regular College performances, many of which have been attended by West End casting agents.
Below are just some of the ways that you can combine your Performing Arts career-related study and DP subjects to prepare you for Higher Education or employment.
| Pathway One | Combination of subjects |
| Performer | Performing Arts Dance Literature and Performance |
| Pathway Two | Combination of subjects |
| Producer | Performing Arts Film Visual Arts |
| Pathway Three | Combination of subjects |
| Educator | Performing Arts English Language and Literature Maths Applications and Interpretations |
If you are a keen sportsperson, you can choose to combine your academic studies with specialist coaching and training delivered by elite coaches to continue to develop your skills alongside your learning.
We work closely with leading national and regional teams to provide you with six hours of professional coaching every week to develop your technical and strategic understanding in addition to weekly matches. You will also benefit from access to the onsite College leisure facilities. We are proud that our sports scholarships are accessible to students of all genders.
Below are just some of the ways that you can combine your Sport career-related studies and DP subjects to prepare you for your next steps.
| Pathway One | Combination of subjects |
| Professional player | Sport Biology Sports Science |
| Pathway Two | Combination of subjects |
| Physiotherapist | Sport Biology Maths: Applications and Interpretations |
| Pathway Three | Combination of subjects |
| Business | Sport Economics Business |
If you are passionate about working with children and people then our Health and Social Care Futures programme provides you with the skills and knowledge that will equip you for a career in early years education, residential care or social work.
Below are just some of the ways that you can combine your Health and Social Care career-related study and DP subjects to prepare you for university, apprenticeships, or to enter employment.
| Pathway One | Combination of subjects |
| Healthcare | Health and Social Care Psychology Biology |
| Pathway Two | Combination of subjects |
| Healthcare/social services | Health and Social Care Psychology Philosophy |
| Pathway Three | Combination of subjects |
| Education | Health and Social Care English Language and Literature Maths Applications and Interpretations |
The CP curriculum offers a dedicated career-related study, which you will study alongside at least two DP courses from six different subject groups, including: Languages, Individuals and Societies, Sciences, Mathematics and the Arts. You can tailor the programme to your own strengths and interests, learning about theories and concepts through application and practice.
The programme prepares you for successful transition to Higher Education, apprenticeships or employment through the development of key skills needed to succeed such as communication, critical analysis and independent inquiry as well as practical experience in your preferred field of interest.
The core
A key element of the CP is its core; four components which bridge the IB academic courses and career-related study to provide you with academic and practical skills:
- Personal and Professional Skills: designed to help you develop transferable attitudes, skills and strategies that can be applied in professional and personal situations. The emphasis is on skills development to help you enter your chosen field of employment; all of these skills are transferable and can be applied to different, real-world scenarios.
- Service Learning: will equip you with the skills you need to meet an identified community need through a research-based approach, using the knowledge and understanding you have developed in your previous studies.
- Reflective Project: aims to help you enhance your research, writing and communication skills to prepare you to enter higher education, or employment. You will develop your project over an extended period of time, and submit it toward the end of your CP.
- Language Development: encourages your proficiency in a second language; the ability to communicate in more than one language is essential to the IB’s concept of an international education and will deepen your understanding of the world around you.
Discover the subject options we offer.
Choosing the right course of study for you is an important decision and we understand that you will have questions about the programme. Please visit our FAQ page to discover the answers to some of the most common questions that we receive from students about the IB, CP and our scholarships or contact us.
Practical experience
We work with a number of organisations including Norwich City Football Club, The London School of Contemporary Dance, Addenbrookes Hospital and Royal Papworth Hospital to ensure our students are given practical experience and develop professional relationships within each industry area. These connections will allow you to foster an understanding of each industry and how career progression works within them.
Alex Kaufman, Managing Director, Norwich City Football Club Regional Development Programme
Do you want to progress with your academic studies but don’t want to give up your passions for sport? We offer a number of scholarships that are designed to enable you to combine your studies with specialist training from elite coaches. Each scholarship has been developed to complement the DP and is accessible to all students. For more information on our scholarship opportunities, please get in touch.
Football scholarship in partnership with Norwich City FC RDP
Our Football Scholarship in partnership with Norwich City FC RDP gives you the opportunity to train six hours a week (Monday, Tuesday and Friday), attend and play in weekly matches and national competitions, receive specialist coaching from elite coaches and use the College gym throughout the day.
Rugby scholarship in partnership with Shelford Rugby Club
Benefit from access to, and specialist training with, Cambridge Rugby Club through our Rugby Scholarship. Through the scholarship you will train six hours a week (Monday, Tuesday and Friday), attend and play in weekly matches and have use of the College gym throughout the day.
Rowing scholarship in partnership with Rob Roy Rowing Club
In partnership with Rob Roy Rowing Club, our rowing scholarship covers the cost of the annual membership to the Rowing Club alongside the opportunity to enter national competitions, receive specialist training from elite coaches and use the gym throughout the College day.
Netball scholarship in partnership with Serena Guthrie and Legacy Netball
Through the netball scholarship in partnership with Serena Guthrie and Legacy Netball, you have the opportunity to train for six hours a week (Monday, Tuesday and Friday), attend and play in weekly matches, have specialist training from elite players and coaches, benefit from links with netball Super League clubs and free gym membership during the College day.
Handball scholarship in partnership with Cambridge Handball club
The scholarship will cover the cost of membership at the Club and will see students participating in specialist handball training three times a week. Alongside this, those enrolled on the programme will take part in regional matches each week and have the opportunity to represent the men's and women's teams in the England Handball Premier League. Sports scholars will be given valuable university application support, including tips for applying for higher education overseas, particularly in countries such as Germany, France and Spain, where handball is a well-esteemed sport and an attractive asset to universities.
A key element of the CP is its core; four components which bridge the IB academic courses and career-related study to provide you with academic and practical skills:
- Personal and Professional Skills: designed to help you develop transferable attitudes, skills and strategies that can be applied in professional and personal situations. The emphasis is on skills development to help you enter your chosen field of employment; all of these skills are transferable and can be applied to different, real-world scenarios.
- Service Learning: will equip you with the skills you need to meet an identified community need through a research-based approach, using the knowledge and understanding you have developed in your previous studies.
- Reflective Project: aims to help you enhance your research, writing and communication skills to prepare you to enter higher education, or employment. You will develop your project over an extended period of time, and submit it toward the end of your CP.
- Language Development: encourages your proficiency in a second language; the ability to communicate in more than one language is essential to the IB’s concept of an international education and will deepen your understanding of the world around you.
We work with a number of organisations including Trinity Laban, Norwich City Football Club, Rob Roy Boat Club, Addenbrookes Hospital and Royal Papworth Hospital to ensure our students are given practical experience and develop professional relationships within each industry area. These connections will allow you to foster an understanding of each industry and how career progression works within them.
“Our delivery team have developed a fantastic working relationship with the college, and between them, have created an outstanding environment to study and play football.”
Alex Kaufman, Managing Director, Norwich City Football Club Regional Development Programme
You will need at least five subjects at GCSE Grade 5 or higher, ideally including at least 4 in Mathematics and English Language and preferably a Grade 5 in your area of specialism or a total of at least 28 points with a Grade 3 or higher in each IB MYP e-Assessment.
At Impington International College, we offer the following career-related subjects as part of the IB CP:
Choosing the right course of study for you is an important decision and we understand that you will have questions about the programme. Please visit our FAQ page to discover the answers to some of the most common questions that we receive from students about the IB, CP and our scholarships or contact us.
