ᐅ IB Career‑Related Programme (IBCP) in Barcelona, Gavà

Leading IBCP School in Barcelona

Years 12 & 13

BCG offers one of Barcelona’s most exclusive and forward-thinking Sixth Form pathways through the International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP), empowering students to lead and innovate in the world of tomorrow. More than just an educational programme, the IBCP is a transformative journey that bridges exceptional classroom learning with future career opportunities.

At our school, the programme is delivered through specialised collaborations with leading professional institutions. Students can choose from three distinctive pathways—Entrepreneurship, Performing Arts, and Sports Innovation—each designed to combine high-level academic study with real-world professional preparation that paves the way for a brilliant future.

What Is the IB Career-related Programme?

The International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme is a globally recognised pre-university framework that combines the academic rigour and values of the IB with hands-on, career-focused learning. Tailored for students intending to follow a vocational or career-oriented pathway, the IBCP provides both theoretical understanding and practical experience that set students apart in an increasingly competitive global marketplace.

A defining feature of the IBCP is its career-related study component, which allows students to explore a professional field alongside their academic subjects while maintaining the breadth and depth valued by universities worldwide.

The IBCP is successfully implemented in schools across countries such as the USA, Canada, and the UK, and is accepted by prestigious universities globally. Potential higher education destinations for IBCP graduates include Ivy League universities such as Harvard, and Russell Group institutions in the UK, including University College London, King’s College London, and the University of Manchester, among many others.

Benefits of the IBCP

The IB Career-related Programme offers many advantages that distinguish it from traditional academic programmes, both national and international. First, the IBCP adapts to each student’s strengths, interests, and career aspirations, providing a truly personalised and flexible learning experience.

Second, IBCP students develop professional, career-oriented skills while maintaining academic excellence, creating a distinctive profile that appeals to both universities and employers. By combining advanced academic study with real-world application, graduates enter higher education and the workplace with valuable experience and industry connections, giving them a competitive edge in university applications and early career opportunities.

Why Choose Our IBCP in Barcelona?

BCG's commitment to innovation and excellence has earned us a place among Forbes’ Top Schools in Spain. With expert IBCP teachers and a personalised approach, we prepare students for stellar futures. Comprehensive university counselling has helped our IBCP graduates gain places at leading institutions, including Bristol University, the University of Bath, BIMM, EU Business School, and Francisco de Vitoria.

We are the only school in Spain offering the IBCP with world-class professional partnerships, including the Barça Innovation Hub, the Institute of the Arts Barcelona, and the Sustainability Management School. These collaborations give students unparalleled access to industry expertise, practical career experience, and professional networks, paving the way for success in their chosen fields.

Students benefit from an expansive green campus with elite facilities for academics, sports, and the arts. They also enjoy 50+ enrichment activities to develop their talents and become world-ready, spanning STEAM, life skills (including driving lessons and financial literacy), and a wide range of sports.

Our IBCP Curriculum in Barcelona

Our leading IB Career Programme in Barcelona combines high-level academics with hands-on learning through three distinct pathways designed to meet diverse professional interests. Each pathway integrates IB Diploma Programme subjects with specialised career-related studies, ensuring students develop both knowledge and practical skills relevant to their chosen fields. This unique combination allows students to pursue their passions while maintaining a strong academic foundation.

IBCP Subjects & Core Components

At our IBCP School in Barcelona, students select two to three IB Diploma Programme subjects from our comprehensive range of options, ensuring a well-rounded education that aligns with their career aspirations. Our expert university counsellors provide personalised guidance throughout the subject selection process, taking into account each student's pathway requirements and individual goals. This tailored approach enables students to make well-informed decisions about their academic and professional journeys.

Learn more about IBDP subjects available here.

The IBCP core consists of four key components that cultivate skills and qualities highly valued by universities and employers worldwide:

Personal and Professional Skills (PPS): emphasises effective communication, teamwork, and ethical decision-making.
Reflective Project: challenges students to independently investigate an ethical dilemma related to their chosen career pathway, strengthening critical thinking, research, and academic writing skills. This component also encourages thoughtful consideration of the ethical dimensions of their future professions.
Community Engagement: fosters social responsibility and cultural understanding by connecting students with local and global communities.
Language Development: refines communication skills and intercultural awareness, equipping students for success in our interconnected world.

Together, these core components mould well-rounded graduates who are academically prepared, socially and culturally aware, and ready to navigate the challenges of higher education and professional life with confidence and integrity.

IBCP Assessment & Grades

The IBCP uses a comprehensive assessment framework combining internal and external evaluation methods. IB Diploma subjects studied by IBCP students are assessed through traditional IB examinations, with grades awarded on the 1–7 scale. The Reflective Project is externally assessed by IB examiners and graded from A to E; successful completion is required for programme certification. This rigorous approach ensures students meet the high academic standards expected of IB graduates.

Career-related components are assessed by our partner institutions against industry-standard criteria, ensuring students meet professional expectations within their chosen field. Learners receive regular, detailed feedback throughout their studies to support continuous improvement and personal development.

Together, the academic and professional assessments provide a well-rounded profile demonstrating each student’s theoretical understanding and practical competence. This dual-focus model ensures IBCP students are exceptionally well prepared for higher education and professional life.

Learn More About the IB Career-related Programme

Who is the IBCP suitable for?

The IBCP is designed for students who:
• Have clear career interests in areas like performing arts, sports, or business
• Prefer a flexible and personalised learning pathway
• Are self-motivated, organised, and ready to balance academic and vocational studies, including DP subjects alongside career-related studies, projects, and core components.

What do students need to do to receive an IBCP certification?

To earn the IBCP certificate, students must successfully complete all elements of the programme. This includes their chosen DP subjects, their career-related studies, and the four components of the CP core:

- Reflective Project
- Community Engagement
- Personal and Professional Skills
- Language and Cultural Studies

How does the IBCP differ from the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) or A Levels?

The IBCP offers more personalised learning than the full IB Diploma Programme, allowing students to tailor their studies to specific career goals. Like the IBDP, it maintains strong academic rigour, but it also integrates practical, career-related learning and professional skills development, making it ideal for students who want to build vocational skills alongside strong academic foundations.

Compared with A Levels, which are entirely academic and subject-focused, the IBCP provides a broader, more holistic framework. A Levels typically involve specialising in three to four purely academic subjects, whereas the IBCP combines academic study with vocational pathways, industry partnerships, project work, and real-world application. This makes the IBCP an excellent choice for students seeking both academic depth and practical experience relevant to their future career ambitions.

What life skills do students develop through IBCP?

Students develop a wide range of practical life skills, including strategic planning, reflective thinking, professional communication, business acumen, teamwork, ethical awareness, cultural understanding, time management and adaptability, as well as industry-specific skills relevant to their chosen pathway.

What makes BCG’s IBCP unique in Spain?

BCG is the only school in Spain offering the IBCP with this combination of professional partnerships, providing exclusive career insights, practical experience, and personalised mentorship. For example, students in the Performing Arts pathway spend a day at the IAB Academy each term, learning from professionals and participating in real-life productions. The IAB helps advise these students on the next steps in their careers in the performing arts, including recording audition reels and preparing a portfolio with photos and headshots.

Which organisations does BCG partner with for the IBCP?

Our world-class partners include:
• Institute of the Arts Barcelona (IAB)
• Barça Innovation Hub (BIHUB)
• Sustainability Management School (SUMAS)

What are the expected outcomes for IBCP graduates?

Graduates finish our IBCP in Barcelona with:
• Strong academic foundations for future study
• Practical skills tailored to their career ambitions
• Personal readiness for university and the workforce
• A global perspective and professional edge for international success

Is the IBCP recognised by universities?

Yes. The IBCP is accepted by universities in the UK, the US, Europe, and more. IBCP graduates from BCG have received offers from institutions such as the University of Bath, Bristol University, and EU Business School.

The programme’s focus on independent learning, higher-order thinking, and practical application ensures excellent preparation for university-level study, giving parents confidence in their child’s post-graduation opportunities.

Can students enter the workforce directly after graduation?

Absolutely. The IBCP equips students with practical skills, professional experience, and industry connections, preparing them for both higher education and immediate career opportunities.

Do you have IBCP student experience stories?

Yes. Here are some recent examples:

- Paula – SUMAS Pathway: specialised in finance and economics; received offers from Bath and Bristol; preparing for a career in finance.
- Lily – Performing Arts Pathway: focused on musical theatre and dance; taking LAMDA exams; preparing for university-level performing arts studies.

‘The CP allows me to improve as an artist without neglecting my academic education. I practise during the school day, prepare for my LAMDA exams, and still have time to develop technique, repertoire and portfolio. I want to study musical theatre, and I know this path is preparing me for it.’

— Lily, IBCP student in the Performing Arts Pathway

'I aim to study Accounting and Finance at a university in the UK and pursue a career in finance. The IBCP has helped me prepare for this path by allowing me to focus and specialise in this area. The programme offers flexibility and equips me with valuable skills for future employment.'

— Paula, IBCP student in the SUMAS Entrepreneurship Pathway

Discover how our IBCP in Barcelona can transform your child's educational journey and prepare them for future success in their chosen career.

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International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP)