International baccalaureate career-related programme (IBCP)

* ibcp programme for ages 16-18

Preparing students for professional success and further studies

Why study the IBCP?

Dubbed the newest and fastest-growing IB programme, the IB Career-related Programme provides a unique industry-oriented academic challenge.

Students take on three to five rigorous IBDP subjects alongside hands-on career preparation led by industry experts and university professors.

This dynamic 2-year programme builds:

Early industry insight into Hospitality Management, Sustainable Management, Art & Design or International Sports Management
Academic & professional skills for higher education studies, internships, and apprenticeships or positions in a chosen field of interest
Enhanced life skills such as critical thinking, intercultural communication and collaboration, and problem-solving

* ibcp programme : career-focused partnerships

Providing university-level training in high school

Hesitating between university and the workplace?

IBCP students graduate from Haut-Lac with both doors open.

By pursuing IB career-related studies with Swiss and international industry experts below, they develop the academic skills and professional know-how for studies and employment in their field of interest.

Hospitality Management
Les Roches Switzerland

International Sports Management
World Academy of Sport

Art & Design
Savannah College of Art & Design

Sustainability Management
SUMAS

How does the IBCP work?

Students study 3 to 5 IBDP subjects from the options available at Haut-Lac.

Students pursue one of the 4 career-related studies provided by Haut-Lac's university partners.

Students develop their personal, professional and linguistic skills.

* 100% pass rate in the IB Career-Related Programme

Developing potential for higher education and employment

The IBCP programme delivered by Haut-Lac and its university partners has granted all our IBCP graduates direct access to professional studies and employment in their fields of interest.

If you too are passionate about hospitality management, sustainability, the arts or sport, and would like to get ahead of the competition in your last two years of school, then the IBCP may be for you.

Our graduates are consistently committed to reaching their goals. Since the first cohort in 2023, they have achieved 100% pass rates in the IBCP and gone to study at top higher education institutions in Switzerland and worldwide.

Check in with our Graduates in the Haut-Lac Alumni Magazine

career

blog

* ibcp programme

Blogging about the IBCP in Switzerland

Hesitating between the IBDP and the IBCP programmes at Haut-Lac?

Check out the Haut-Lac blog for academic programme comparisons, student experiences, interviews with our academic heads and more.

What do Haut-Lac students do after the IBCP?

That’s it! The second cohort of students at Haut-Lac International (...)

* ibcp curriculum

What do parents at IB World Schools ask?

1. What type of student profile is the IBCP designed for?

The IB Career-related Programme (IBCP) is ideal for students who want to combine academic study with practical, career-focused learning.

The IBCP suits students who:

Have a clear interest in a specific career field or industry

Learn best through hands-on, practical experience alongside theory

Want to develop professional skills whilst maintaining academic rigour

Prefer a more focused pathway rather than the broader IBDP approach

Are motivated by real-world applications of their learning

Plan to enter university, vocational training or the workplace after school

The IBCP offers the same intellectual challenge as the IBDP but with greater flexibility to specialise. It’s perfect for students who know their passion and want to pursue it seriously.

At Haut-Lac, IBCP students are driven, creative individuals who thrive when connecting their studies to future career goals.

2. What specialisations or pathways are offered for the IBCP at Haut-Lac?

We offer IBCP pathways in partnership with world-leading institutions so students can specialise in fields they are passionate about.

The current IBCP specialisations at Haut-Lac are:

Hospitality Management (with Les Roches Switzerland)
Hospitality industry insights and professional skills for students who want to develop business acumen and service excellence.

Art & Design (with Savannah College of Art and Design – SCAD)
Pathways in graphic design, illustration, photography, animation and other creative disciplines, taught by SCAD faculty.

International Sports Management (with the World Academy of Sport – WAoS)
Training in sports business, management, marketing and the global sports industry for students pursuing careers in sports administration and leadership.

Sustainability Management (with Sustainability Management School – SUMAS)
Develop expertise in sustainable business practices, environmental management and corporate social responsibility for future-focused careers.

These partnerships give our IBCP students access to expert teaching, industry connections and leading IB World School facilities. Each pathway combines IB Diploma academic subjects with a career-related study programme tailored to their specialisation.

3. What academic support systems are in place for IBCP students at Haut-Lac?

IBCP students at Haut-Lac benefit from a comprehensive support network designed to help them succeed academically, personally and professionally.

The support team includes:

IBCP Coordinator
Oversees each student’s entire IBCP journey, from subject selection through to final assessments. They coordinate with partner institutions, monitor progress across all programme components, and ensure the career-related study integrates smoothly with academic courses.

University Guidance Counsellor
Provides expert advice on university applications, career pathways and post-graduation options. They help students research programmes, prepare applications, build portfolios, and navigate the admissions process for specialised institutions worldwide.

School Counsellor
Offers pastoral support for student well-being and personal development. Whether students are managing stress, navigating challenges, or simply need someone to talk to, the school counsellor is there to help them thrive during the programme.

Form Tutor
The day-to-day point of contact who knows each student well. Form tutors monitor academic progress, help with time management and organisation, and provide guidance on balancing the demands of the IBCP with personal interests and commitments.

This multi-layered approach means students are never navigating the IBCP alone. Whether they need help with coursework, career decisions, university applications or personal challenges, there’s always someone ready to support them.

4. Does the IBCP programme support entry into specialised schools?

Yes, the IBCP is specifically designed to prepare students for entry into specialised universities, conservatoires and vocational institutions.

The career-related study component gives students a substantial portfolio of work and demonstrated expertise in their chosen field, which is what specialised schools look for during admissions.

How the IBCP supports applications:

Portfolio development – Students create professional-standard work throughout the programme

Industry experience – Partnerships with institutions like SCAD, WAoS, Les Roches and SUMAS provide insight and connections

Academic rigour – IB Diploma courses prove students can handle university-level study

Reflective Project – Demonstrates research skills and deep engagement with the career area

The combination of academic credibility and practical expertise makes IBCP students particularly attractive to specialised schools.

5. How does the IBCP prepare students both for the world of work and for university?

The IBCP’s unique structure bridges academic study and professional preparation to give students options after graduation.

University preparation:

Two IB Diploma courses (3 at Haut-Lac) at Higher or Standard Level provide academic depth

The Reflective Project develops university-level research and critical thinking

Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills build independence and time management

International recognition opens doors to universities worldwide

Work readiness:

Career-related study develops industry-specific knowledge and skills

Language development ensures professional communication abilities

Personal and Professional Skills (PPS) course builds workplace competencies (leadership, collaboration, ethics)

Service Learning (SL) connects students with real-world challenges

The result?
IBCP students can enter university with relevant subject knowledge and practical experience, or move directly into apprenticeships, training programmes or employment with confidence.

6. How is the career-related study module managed at Haut-Lac?

The career-related study (CRS) module at Haut-Lac is delivered through partnerships with leading institutions, so that students receive expert, industry-standard teaching.

How it works:

Each IBCP pathway is taught by specialists from our partner institutions – SCAD faculty for art & design students, WAoS professionals for sports management, Les Roches experts for hospitality, and SUMAS instructors for sustainability management.

Students attend dedicated career-related study sessions with specialists alongside their IB Diploma courses at Haut-Lac. These sessions combine theory with practical application and often include real-world projects, case studies and portfolio development.

Students have a dedicated IBCP coordinator at Haut-Lac who supports their progress across both the academic and career-related components. This coordinator ensures everything connects smoothly, from timetabling to university applications.

The CRS module is assessed through coursework and practical assignments set by the partner institution, with regular feedback to help students develop professional-standard work. By the end of the programme, students have built substantial expertise and a portfolio that demonstrates their readiness for the next step.

This collaborative approach means students benefit from both Haut-Lac’s pastoral care and academic support, and the specialist knowledge of institutions at the forefront of their industries.

7. What are the benefits of the partnerships with SCAD, WAoS and Les Roches for IBCP students at Haut-Lac?

Our partnerships with world-leading institutions mean Haut-Lac IBCP students learn from active professionals, use industry-standard facilities and build portfolios that open doors to top universities and careers.

Our IBCP partners are:

Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)

Teaching delivered by SCAD faculty with industry experience

Access to professional-standard creative software and techniques

Portfolio development guided by experts who understand university admissions

Insight into the US art and design higher education system

Potential pathway to SCAD campuses in Savannah, Atlanta, Lacoste or Hong Kong

World Academy of Sport (WAoS)

Professional training in international sports management and business

Understanding of the global sports industry, from marketing to event management

Preparation for careers in sports administration, club management and sports marketing

Connections to the international sports business sector

Development of leadership, strategic thinking and business acumen

Les Roches Switzerland

Industry-led curriculum from a top-ranked hospitality management school

Understanding of luxury hospitality standards and operations

Business skills applicable across multiple sectors

Potential progression to Les Roches degree programmes in Switzerland

Network within the global hospitality industry

SUMAS (Sustainability Management School)

Expertise in sustainable business practices and environmental management

Understanding of ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) frameworks

Preparation for careers in sustainability, corporate responsibility and impact consulting

Connection to Switzerland’s leadership in sustainable business

Skills for addressing global challenges through business innovation