IB Admission and Recognition
Saint Mary’s welcomes IB students from across the globe! We wholeheartedly embrace the mission of the International Baccalaureate Organization, acknowledging IB courses and programs as exceptional academic foundations for university success. Our recently implemented IB recognition policy stands out as one of the best in Canada and globally.
Outlined below are the University’s policies on admission and recognition for students presenting IB qualifications, effective for Fall 2024 intake and beyond.
Admission Information
International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP) Requirements
IBDP is accepted for admission as per the following:
Arts
- English (SL or HL)
- Four other SL or HL subjects
Commerce
- English (SL or HL)
- Mathematics (SL or HL, Analysis and approaches or Applications and interpretation)
- Three other SL or HL subjects
Science
- English (SL or HL)
- Mathematics (SL or HL, Analysis and approaches or Applications and interpretation)
- One science (Biology, Chemistry, Computer Programming, or Physics)
- Two other SL or HL subjects
Engineering
- English (SL or HL)
- Mathematics (SL or HL, Analysis and approaches or Applications and interpretation)
- Chemistry (SL or HL)
- Physics (SL or HL or Biology SL/HL)
- One other SL or HL subject
- Minimum predicted IBDP score for admission to any SMU program: 24/42 (anticipated/projected grades)
- Minimum 36 credit hours, up to a maximum of 42 credit hours, will be awarded for students obtaining the full IBDP including up to 12 credit hours for those receiving a minimum of two points on the IB Core (TOK, EE, CAS)
- IBDP students presenting English HL or SL with a minimum grade of 4+ will meet our minimum English Language Proficiency Requirements and will not have to submit additional tests or proof of English Language Proficiency
International Baccalaureate Career-related Program (IBCP)
The IBCP diploma is recognized for admission purposes as per the following:
- Minimum requirements include:
- 1 Higher Level IB subject (minimum score 4+ on each) plus
- 2 Higher Level or Standard Level IB subjects (minimum score 4+ on each)
- Description of Career-Related Study being completed unless completing a CRS from approved IBO recognized CRS Strategic Provider
- Maximum 9 credit hours awarded for minimum score of 4+ on HL or SL courses
- Maximum 6 credit hours awarded for CRS
- Additional credit hours awarded for additional HL or SL courses or for successful completion of TOK, EE and/or CAS up to total maximum of 42 credit hours
- Students will be assessed for admission on a case-by-case basis
- IBCP students presenting English HL or SL with a minimum grade of 4+ will meet our minimum English Language Proficiency Requirements and will not have to submit additional tests or proof of English Language Proficiency
IB Courses
Individual IB Courses are accepted for admission purposes with predicted scores of 3+ in subject requirements as per the following:
- In order to receive admission based on individual IB courses, students must also present a high school diploma or leaving certificate in addition to the individual courses
- Potential credit for individual IB courses as follows:
- HL courses for final scores of 4+
- SL courses for final scores of 4+
- Maximum 30 advanced credit hours for individual courses (non-IBDP or non-IBCP applicants)
IB Course Equivalencies Chart for Advanced Standing
| Course | HL | SL |
| Biology | BIOL 1211 and BIOL 1212 and BIOL 1213 | BIOL 1901 |
| Business Management | MGMT 1281 and BUSI 1901 | BUSI 1901 |
| Chemistry | CHEM 1210 and CHEM 1211 | CHEM 1901 |
| Classical Languages | ANCS 1901 and ANCS 1902 | ANCS 1901 |
| Computer Science | CSCI 1901 and CSCI 1902 | CSCI 1901 |
| Creativity Activity Service | ELEC 1911 | n/a |
| Dance | ELEC 1901 and ELEC 1902 | ELEC 1901 |
| Design Technology | ELEC 1903 and ELEC 1904 | ELEC 1903 |
| Digital Society | ELEC 1905 and ELEC 1906 | ELEC 1905 |
| Economics | ECON 1201 and ECON 1202 | BUSI 1902 |
| English A: Language and Literature | ENGL 1205 and ENGL 1901 | ENGL 1901 |
| English B | ENGL 1901 and ENGL 1902 | ENGL 1902 |
| Environmental Systems and Society | ENVS 1200 and ENVS 1901 | ENVS 1901 |
| Extended Essay | HUMN 1901 | n/a |
| Film | ENGL 2313 and ENGL 1903 | ENGL 1903 |
| French A | FREN 1111 and FREN 1112 | FREN 1901 |
| French B | FREN 1901 and FREN 1902 | FREN 1902 |
| Geography | GEOG 1200 and GEOG 1901 | GEOG 1901 |
| Global Politics | POLI 1901 and POLI 1902 | POLI 1901 |
| History | HIST 1901 and HIST 1902 | HIST 1901 |
| Language A: Language & Literature | LANG 1901 and LANG 1902 | LANG 1901 |
| Language A: Literature | ENGL 1300 and ENGL 1904 | ENGL 1904 |
| Language ab initio | n/a | LANG 1904 |
| Language and Culture | ICST 1000 and ICST 1901 | ICST 1901 |
| Language B | LANG 1902 and LANG 1903 | LANG 1902 |
| Literature and Performance | n/a | ENGL 1905 |
| Mathematics: Analysis & Approaches | MATH 1210 and MATH 1211 for grades 6 or higher/ MATH 1901 and MATH 1902 for grades 4 and 5 | MATH 1901 |
| Mathematics: Applications & Interpretation | MATH 1210 and MATH 1211 for grades 6 or higher/ MATH 1901 and MATH 1902 for grades 4 and 5 | MATH 1901 |
| Music | ELEC 1907 and ELEC 1908 | ELEC 1907 |
| Philosophy | PHIL 1901 and PHIL 1902 | PHIL 1901 |
| Physics | PHYS 1210 and PHYS 1211 | PHYS 1210 |
| Psychology | PSYC 1000 and PSYC 1901 | PSYC 1901 |
| Social and Cultural Anthropology | ANTH 1202 and ANTH 1901 | ANTH 1901 |
| Theatre | HUMN 1902 and HUMN 1903 | HUMN 1903 |
| Theory of Knowledge | PHIL 1903 and PHIL 1904 | n/a |
| Visual Arts | ELEC 1909 and ELEC 1910 | ELEC 1909 |
| World Religions | RELS 1221 and RELS 1222 | RELS 1901 |
For information on scholarships, awards and bursaries, including IB specific awards, please visit our scholarship website.