Previous knowledge
Whilst this course is designed so that it can be taken without any previous knowledge, it is desirable that students who wish to study ITGS at Standard Level have gained at least a grade C in ICT at GCSE level or equivalent, and students who wish to study the Higher Level have gained a grade B or above. Students who have not studied ICT immediately before Diploma level, or who have not achieved the desired grades and who wish to study ITGS, will only gain access to the course after an interview with the IB Coordinator and the Head of ICT to assess their suitability. (See ‘Who is the IB Diploma Programme for?’)

ITGS SL and HL
This course aims to educate students about the global impact of IT systems on today’s society. During it, students will focus on three main inter-linked areas:

Social and Ethical Issues - the positive and negative aspects of an IT system and its effects on society
IT Systems in a Social Context - the technology, what it is and how it works
Specific Areas of Impact - Business and Employment, Education, Health, Arts, Entertainment and Leisure

By the end of the course, students should clearly understand the relationship between all three areas above. The purpose is to enable students to analyse and evaluate the social impact of IT on individuals and society and consider the ethical issues raised by this impact.

ITGS HL only
The Higher Level course supports and builds upon the teaching and learning of the Standard Level course. In addition to the areas of impact above, Higher Level students will study two further areas of impact:
Science and the Environment
Politics and Government

Assessment
All students will be formally examined at the end of the two-year course. They will also be required to undertake an Internal Assessment. A summary of the assessment for HL and SL is as follows:
ITGS HL only
External Assessment (80%): 3 Written Examination Papers – 4 hours in total
Internal Assessment (20%): A Portfolio (3 pieces of written work on social and ethical issues based on three different areas of impact) and an Extension (interview with stakeholder(s) related to one of the portfolio pieces)
ITGS SL only
External Assessment (70%): 2 Written Examination Papers – 3 hours in total
Internal Assessment (30%): A Project (a real product developed through the integration of IT skills)