Curriculum Guide · Ages 11–16

The IB Middle Years Programme (MYP)

How the MYP connects learning to the real world, what students study, how they are assessed, and how it prepares them for the Diploma Programme and beyond.

Read time: 8 min

The Short Answer

The MYP is the IB programme for ages 11 to 16, usually taught over five years in the middle and early high school years.
It sits between the PYP and the Diploma Programme in the IB continuum, but students from other primary curricula can join it too.
Students study eight subject groups and explore them through global contexts such as identity, innovation and sustainability.
Assessment is based on criteria, not only exams, and the final year ends with a personal project.
It builds the skills needed for the next stage. Most MYP students move on to the IB Diploma, the IBCP or another senior-school pathway such as IGCSE.

What Is the MYP?

The Middle Years Programme (MYP) is an educational framework from the International Baccalaureate (IB) for students aged 11 to 16. It is designed to help students make sense of the world by connecting what they learn in class to real life. It encourages inquiry, interdisciplinary thinking and the development of skills that go far beyond the classroom.

It follows the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and prepares students for the Diploma Programme (DP) or Career-related Programme (IBCP), although schools also welcome students from other curricula. Not every IB school offers all programmes, so check which ones your child's school is authorized to teach.

Key Features of the MYP

What defines the MYP

Interdisciplinary learning: Students see how subjects connect and use ideas from several subjects to explore complex topics.
Inquiry and concepts: Learning is organized around big ideas and questions, not only facts to memorize.
Global context: Every unit is linked to a global context, helping students see how learning relates to the wider world.
Holistic approach: The programme supports academic, social and emotional growth, as well as skills for learning.
Global citizenship: Students explore global issues and different perspectives and think about their role in the world.

MYP Curriculum Structure

The MYP curriculum is broad and balanced. Students study eight subject groups, and teachers plan units that link subjects together.

The eight subject groups

In the later years of the programme, schools may offer students some choice in which groups they study, so ask how this works at your child's school.

Language and literature: Study of the student's best language and its literature.
Language acquisition: Learning an additional language, such as Chinese or English, depending on the school.
Individuals and societies: History, geography, economics and related subjects.
Sciences: Biology, chemistry, physics and integrated science.
Mathematics: Number, algebra, geometry, statistics and problem-solving.
Arts: Visual arts, music, drama and similar subjects.
Physical and health education: Fitness, sport and personal health and wellbeing.
Design: Designing, making and evaluating solutions, including digital and product design.

Global contexts

Teachers link each unit to one of six themes that connect classroom learning to the real world.

Identities and relationships: Who we are and how we relate to others.
Orientation in space and time: Where and when we are, and how history and place shape us.
Personal and cultural expression: How we express ideas, feelings and culture.
Scientific and technical innovation: How science and technology change our lives.
Globalization and sustainability: How the world is connected and how we protect it.
Fairness and development: Rights, equality and how societies develop.

Approaches to Learning and Service

Approaches to learning. Students practice skills such as thinking, research, communication, self-management and collaboration, which they use across all subjects.
Service as action. Students take part in service in their community and reflect on it, which encourages active citizenship.
Projects. Students complete a community project or similar work during the programme, and a personal project in the final year.

Assessment in the MYP

How students are assessed

Criterion-related assessment: Students are assessed against published criteria for each subject, so teachers judge what students know and can do instead of ranking them against classmates. Each subject is reported on a scale of 1 to 7.
Ongoing feedback: Teachers assess continuously and give regular feedback so students can improve.
Personal project: In the final year, students complete an independent project on a topic of personal interest, with research, planning and reflection.
Moderation and external assessment: The IB moderates assessment so standards are consistent worldwide. Schools can also offer optional external assessment leading to an MYP certificate. Ask the school what it offers.

The IB Learner Profile in the MYP

The MYP is built around the IB Learner Profile: inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced and reflective. These attributes are part of everyday learning and help students grow into responsible global citizens.

The MYP Classroom

Active learning. Group work, projects and discussions encourage collaboration and critical thinking.
Inquiry. Students ask questions and look for answers through research, experiments and discussion.
Relevance. Lessons connect to real-life situations, which helps students see why their learning matters.

Benefits and Trade-offs

What the MYP offers and asks

Skills for life: Problem-solving, research, communication and critical thinking.
A bridge to the DP: The MYP introduces the academic and inquiry-based approach students meet in the Diploma Programme.
Continuity: As part of the IB, the MYP is familiar to many schools, which can make transfers easier.
Less exam preparation: The MYP is not an examination qualification like the IGCSE. Students aiming for IGCSE or other exams may need extra support, so ask the school how it prepares them.
Varies by school: Schools adapt the framework, so the experience depends on the school and its teachers.

MYP or IGCSE?

Two ways through the middle years

The best choice depends on the senior-school program your child will follow.

IB MYP: Inquiry-based, with eight subject groups, criterion-related assessment and a personal project. It leads naturally to the IB Diploma or IBCP.
IGCSE: Subject-based preparation for exams at age 16, usually followed by A-Levels. See the British curriculum guide.
American middle and high school: Core subjects with electives and optional AP courses. See the American curriculum guide.

Accreditation and Quality

Only schools authorized by the IB can offer the MYP. Authorization means the school has shown that it meets the IB's standards, and the IB moderates assessment so that results are comparable across schools. Ask the school to confirm that it is authorized for the MYP and which programmes it runs.

The Role of Parents

Work with the school. Attend meetings and ask teachers about progress against the criteria, not only grades.
Support projects. Encourage your child to plan the personal project early and break it into steps.
Encourage service. Talk about service activities and help your child connect with the local community.

The MYP for Families Moving to Guangzhou

Check which years the school teaches. Some schools teach all five MYP years, while others teach only part of the programme. Ask which years are offered and what happens afterwards.
Ask about joining mid-programme. Students coming from other systems will meet new language, criteria-based marking and a 1 to 7 grading scale, so ask how the school helps new students settle in and how it decides which year they join.
Plan the next step. If your child will continue to the IB Diploma, a school that teaches both the MYP and the Diploma avoids a change at 16.
Compare with other options. If you are choosing between the MYP and an American program for ages 11 to 14, see IB MYP vs American Middle School.
Ask about Chinese. The MYP includes language acquisition, so check how Chinese is taught and at which levels.

Questions to Ask an MYP School

Which IB programmes is the school authorized to teach, and does it offer the MYP through to Year 5?
How do you support interdisciplinary learning?
How are students assessed and how are results reported to parents?
What projects and service activities do students undertake?
How do you prepare students for the IB Diploma or other senior-school programmes?
How do you support students who join the MYP from another curriculum?

Is the MYP a Good Fit for Your Child?

The MYP suits students who enjoy making connections between subjects, asking questions and thinking about global issues. It balances academic challenge with personal growth and responsibility. Families who prefer a more exam-focused approach in these years may favor IGCSE. For help comparing schools, read Choosing an International School in Guangzhou: Parent Guide.

Frequently Asked Questions About the MYP

What does MYP stand for?: MYP stands for Middle Years Programme, the IB programme for students aged 11 to 16.
What ages and years does the MYP cover?: Ages 11 to 16, normally over five years. Some schools offer a shorter version, so ask how your child's school organizes it.
What subjects do MYP students study?: Eight subject groups: language and literature, language acquisition, individuals and societies, sciences, mathematics, arts, physical and health education, and design.
What is the MYP personal project?: An independent project in the final year of the programme in which students choose a topic, research and plan it, produce an outcome and reflect on what they learned.
How is the MYP assessed?: Students are assessed against criteria for each subject and receive a grade from 1 to 7, with continuous feedback. Some schools also offer optional external assessment.
Do MYP students take exams?: Mostly they are assessed through coursework and tasks in school. The MYP does not end with a compulsory external exam, though some schools offer optional external assessment.
Does the MYP lead to the IB Diploma?: Yes, it is designed as preparation for the Diploma Programme and the IBCP, though students can also go on to other pathways.
Can my child join the MYP from another curriculum?: Often yes. Schools usually have ways to help new students settle in, especially with the approaches to learning and criteria-based assessment. Ask about support.
Is the MYP recognized for university?: The MYP is a middle-years programme, so universities look at senior-school results such as the IB Diploma. It is valued as preparation, not as an entry qualification.
Which schools in Guangzhou offer the MYP?: Ask each IB school which programmes it is authorized to teach, and use the IB's school search to confirm. Our school profiles list curricula where available.