St Edward's IB Guide 2026

COMPUTER SCIENCE

IB Computer Science is suitable for anyone who wants to learn how computers work, how to control what computers do, and how they have shaped the modern world and will continue to do so in the future. One of the main aims is to develop your computational thinking skills: taking a complex problem, breaking it down into steps, and explaining those steps in a way which can’t be misunderstood is the essence of programming. More than that, though, you will develop an understanding of the core technologies which are shaping modern society and our future. Modules will include topics on Networks, Databases and Object-Oriented Programming, with the opportunity to explore Abstract Data Types at Higher Level.. The course is available for both Standard and Higher level. You do not need to have studied Computer Science previously to study it at IB though some proficiency in Python programming, especially at Higher Level would be advised. Please speak to Mr Hooper for advice here. The study of Computer Science at IB is organised into two key themes: • A: Concepts of computer science (focusing on how computational systems work) • B: Computational thinking and problem solving (how you can use computational systems to solve real-world problems) The course is future-facing and includes a topic on machine learning. There also is a case study so that emerging technologies can be considered during the lifetime of the course. Finally, the course has a practical programme that consists of the development of a computational solution and a collaborative science project.

TYPE OF ASSESSMENT

FORMAT OF ASSESSMENT

TIME (WEIGHTING OF FINAL GRADE SL HL

Paper 1

A: Concepts of computer science

1 hour 15 minutes (35%)

2 hours (40%)

Plus the case study

Paper 2

B: Computational thinking and problem solving

1 hour 15 minutes (35%)

2 hours (40%)

Pupils can answer questions in either Java or Python.

Internal

The computational solution

35 hours (30%)

35 hours (20%)

A solution to a real-world problem of your own choosing.

IB COURSE GUIDE

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