IB Career Related Program: A Plain Guide to the CP
The IB career related program, or Career-related Programme (CP), is an IB route for ages 16 to 19 that combines academic IB courses with a career-related study. This guide explains what it contains, which students it may suit and how it compares with the Diploma Programme, so you can ask better questions.
The IB career related program, usually called the Career-related Programme or CP, is an IB route for students aged 16 to 19. It combines academic IB courses with a career-related study, so students can keep academic options open while building practical skills. In other words, part of the week is spent on familiar school subjects and part on learning connected to a field a student may want to work in.
The CP is a different route from the Diploma Programme, not a lighter one. It has its own requirements and expectations, and students are asked to balance academic courses, core components and career-related study at the same time. Treating the CP as an easier option is a misunderstanding worth avoiding, so it helps to read carefully what the route asks of students before making a choice.
Which students the CP may suit
The CP structure may suit students who already have a clear field in mind and want both academic and applied learning. A student who enjoys seeing how classroom ideas connect to real work, and who is comfortable planning longer pieces of work, may find the mix appealing. That said, no route fits everyone, and a good fit depends on the individual student and on what their school offers.
A few honest self-check questions can help. Think about how you like to work: do you prefer practical tasks, extended projects, written exams, or a blend? Think about your interests: is there a field you keep coming back to? Think about your habits: can you keep several strands of work moving at once? Your answers are not a verdict, but they give you something concrete to discuss with family and teachers.
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Do I already have a field in mind?
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Do I enjoy applied, practical learning?
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Am I comfortable with projects and reflection?
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Do I still want academic courses alongside career study?
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Can I keep several strands of work moving together?
What students study in the CP
The CP has three connected parts.
At least two Diploma Programme coursesFirst, students take at least two Diploma Programme courses, which are the academic side of the route.
The CP core alongside those coursesSecond, they complete the CP core, which includes approaches to learning, a reflective project, language development and service learning.
A career-related study chosen with the schoolThird, they follow a career-related study connected to the field they are interested in.
Academic and applied learning in one routeThese parts are meant to be read together rather than as separate piles of work. The Diploma Programme courses build subject knowledge, the career-related study adds applied learning, and the core ties the experience together through reflection, communication and service.
Because students manage all three, it is sensible to ask your school how the timetable is arranged and which courses and career-related studies it offers.
What the CP core includes: reflective project, service learning and more
The core is the shared thread of the CP. It is made up of several components, and each one asks students to do something a little different from ordinary subject lessons. The list below gives a plain sentence on each so you know what to expect before you start.
Approaches to learning
Building study, thinking and working habits.
Reflective project
A piece of work students plan and reflect on.
Language development
Continuing to build language skills during the course.
Service learning
Learning through practical service to others.
A general planning habit
As a general planning habit, look at each component early and note what your school expects, rather than leaving the core until the end. The reflective project in particular benefits from a clear question, a simple outline and regular check-ins with a teacher. Smaller, steady steps usually feel more manageable than a rush near a deadline.
The CP and the Diploma Programme side by side
The points below set the two routes next to each other using the facts in this guide. They are a starting point for conversation, not a full specification, and your school coordinator can fill in the detail for your own school.
CP age range: students aged 16 to 19.CP courses: at least two Diploma Programme courses.CP extras: the CP core plus a career-related study.Diploma Programme: its own requirements and expectations.Character of the CP: academic and applied learning together.Neither route is a shortcut or an easier option.CP age range: students aged 16 to 19.CP courses: at least two Diploma Programme courses.CP extras: the CP core plus a career-related study.Diploma Programme: its own requirements and expectations.Character of the CP: academic and applied learning together.Neither route is a shortcut or an easier option.
The most important point is that neither route is a shortcut. The CP is not a lighter version of the Diploma Programme, and the Diploma Programme is not automatically the right choice for every student. Each has its own requirements and expectations, and the better question is which one matches your interests, your school's offer and your plans.
Which universities and careers the CP may lead to
Where a route may lead depends on the courses you take and the careers or study you plan to follow, so there is no single answer to give here. This page does not name institutions or suggest that any route leads to a particular offer. What it can do is show you how to find the facts for yourself, as a short IB curriculum guide to one route.
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List the courses or careers you are considering
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Ask your school coordinator what each route involves
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Read university admissions pages for their stated expectations
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Check what employers in your field of interest expect
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Keep notes so you can compare routes fairly
Start by writing down the courses or careers you are considering. Then talk to your school coordinator about what each route involves at your school. Next, check what universities say on their own admissions pages, and look at what employers in your field of interest expect. Keep notes as you go, so you can compare the CP and the Diploma Programme against the same list rather than against general impressions.
CP or Diploma: questions to ask before choosing
A short checklist keeps the decision grounded. Some questions are for the student, some for the family and some for the school coordinator. Writing them down before a conversation makes it easier to get clear answers and to remember what was said afterwards.
Once you have answers, compare them calmly. Look for places where the answers agree, such as a field that keeps coming up, and places where they raise doubts. It is fine to leave a question open for a while and return to it after speaking with a teacher. The aim is a choice you understand and can explain, not a quick decision made under pressure.
When to decide and how to prepare for the move
Students finishing the Middle Years Programme may need to confirm their Diploma Programme or CP subjects around this stage of the school year, depending on the school timeline. The useful step is to understand what each chosen subject involves and how it fits both your academic profile and your future plans, rather than picking by habit or by what friends are doing.
Confirm what each possible subject involves
Match subject choices to your profile and future plans
Keep the Personal Project moving steadily
Review earlier units and recurring feedback
Learn what the next programme expects without starting early
Preparation does not mean starting next year's coursework early. It means learning what the next programme will expect and keeping current work on track, including the Personal Project. Reviewing earlier units, noting recurring weaknesses in feedback and breaking large tasks into smaller steps can make the move feel calmer. If a task feels overwhelming, shrinking it to one clear next action is often a good place to begin.
Where tutoring can help
For the Diploma Programme courses inside the CP, subject tutoring works the same way as for the Diploma. If you have looked at IB Diploma tutoring before, the approach is familiar: online, one-to-one and based on your own questions and coursework. Tell us your courses and goals and we will help you find a suitable tutor.
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Online, one-to-one subject tutoring for Diploma Programme courses
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Support built around your own questions and coursework
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Help planning and structuring the reflective project
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Other CP support confirmed when you contact us
A tutor can also help you plan and structure the reflective project, for example by shaping a clear question, organising an outline and talking through drafts. Other kinds of CP support are not listed here, so contact us with your subjects and we will confirm what we can offer. Sessions are delivered through IB tutoring online, so location is not a barrier to getting started.
Frequently asked questions
What is the IB career related program?
The IB career related program, known as the Career-related Programme or CP, is an IB route for ages 16 to 19. It combines at least two Diploma Programme courses with the CP core and a career-related study. It is a different route from the Diploma Programme, with its own requirements and expectations.
Is the CP easier than the Diploma?
No. The CP is a different route with different requirements, not an easier one. Students manage academic courses, the core and a career-related study together. Your school coordinator can explain what each route asks of you and how it works at your school.
Which students might the CP suit?
The CP may suit students who already have a clear field in mind and want both academic and applied learning. Fit depends on your interests, working style, your school's offer and the courses or careers you plan to follow, so it is worth talking it through with your coordinator.
What does the CP core include?
The CP core includes approaches to learning, a reflective project, language development and service learning. Students complete the core alongside their Diploma Programme courses and their career-related study. Ask your school how each component is organised, so you can plan your time early.
Can I get tutoring for the CP?
Tutoring is available for Diploma Programme courses and for planning coursework, including the reflective project. Sessions are online and one-to-one. Contact us with your subjects and goals, and we will confirm what we can offer for your situation.
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