Not many teenagers know exactly what they want to do with the rest of their lives, but for those who do, the International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP) is for them. The IBCP is quietly transforming high school education worldwide by giving students a head start in their chosen careers—and now, thanks to a new partnership with Berklee Online, it’s poised to make waves in music education too.
“The IB Career-related Programme is designed for the one student who at the age of 16 says, ‘I know exactly what I want to do: I am going to become a musician,’” explains Stewart Paterson, an IBCP coordinator with years of International Baccalaureate experience across Asia. “The CP can be designed to allow that student to advance their future career and fast-track their undergraduate studies in that particular career field.”
Through the IBCP, students can take specialized online courses from institutions like Berklee Online while completing their high school studies. This approach not only deepens their expertise but also helps them earn university credits early, which can save time and tuition costs down the line. Paterson says this is a good selling point for parents. (More on them soon!)
The IBCP started to gain momentum about a decade ago, as part of International Baccalaureate continuum for students aged 16 to 19. The goal of the program is to provide a flexible framework that blends academic studies with career-related learning. Unlike the traditional IB Diploma Programme (IBDP), which focuses on a broad academic foundation, the IBCP is tailored for students who already know what they’re passionate about—whether that’s music, sports science, or design.
The Students Benefitting from IBCP
Behind each partnership lies a real student story. One student parlayed her passion for creative writing and theater into a scholarship at Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia, graduating early and now auditioning in Atlanta while working in voice acting. Another followed a sports science pathway all the way to the University of Stirling in Scotland, where he graduated this year with top honors in sports business and finance. Other notable IBCP partner schools include Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, which has campuses in Florida and Arizona; Sustainability Management School, which is located in Switzerland, and also offers programs in Milan, Italy; and Les Roches Global Hospitality Education, which also has a main campus in Switzerland and other campuses in Spain, and Abu Dhabi.
Berklee Online’s mission has always centered on breaking down barriers for aspiring musicians worldwide—and for Michael Moyes, the college’s COO, supporting young artists even earlier is a natural next step.
“At Berklee Online, we’re passionate about creating opportunities for young musicians to pursue their dreams from anywhere in the world,” he says. “This partnership with the IBCP opens access to world-class music education, giving students a powerful head start on their creative journey.”
Paterson emphasizes that he isn’t speaking in abstract terms when he mentions “the one student,” and that schools often develop these programs with specific individuals in mind. “There’s always one that we’re looking at somewhere between grade 8 and grade 10, and we’re saying, ‘Do you know what? That student would love to really specialize in music. They’re super talented, they’re really passionate, and they’ve got a very clear career focus. Let’s go out and try and make a partnership that’s going to support that student in having the best possible education with us,’” he says.
That focus on individual students ultimately inspired the collaboration with Berklee Online.
“Honestly, that’s exactly what happened,” says Paterson, with a smile. “We sat around the table two years ago, and said, ‘We need to establish a music partnership for that student!’ And after the student has benefited from and graduated from the IBCP-Berklee music pathway at Dulwich College Suzhou (DCSZ), more students will be able to follow in their footsteps, accessing this innovative and exciting new academic program, setting them on their way to their dream career in music.”
Meet the Parents
“We’ve got a lot of students who are really interested in music and highly talented, but parents are occasionally concerned about future study opportunities and job prospects in this career field,” says Paterson.
Paterson says he uses a tailored approach to address parents’ priorities. Here are three key points that win them over:
Faster academic advancement:
Parents love hearing that students can get ahead early.
“IBCP students at DCSZ are accessing tertiary education from Year 12 (Grade 11), allowing them to progress and specialize in their chosen area of expertise and future career field,” he says. “This is exciting for parents as their children can access highly specialized learning at a younger age, because they’re ready for it. Students who embark on an IBCP pathway at DCSZ are passionate about and have a high level of competence within their chosen career field.”
Early university credit:
Students earn up to 21 credits through Berklee Online.
“Another key piece of information for parents is that their children can earn up to 21 university credits through our IBCP-Berklee pathway in music,” says Paterson. “These can be achieved by the time an IBCP student graduates from Dulwich College Suzhou, which is a greatly appreciated feature of our IBCP partnership with Berklee. Our other IBCP pathways also offer opportunities to earn university credits, which is highly sought-after by parents and students alike.”
Potential for big savings on university costs:
Some IBCP students go straight into the second year of college, saving up to $60,000
“The final key piece of information for our parents is that some of our IBCP students will be able to move straight into their second year of university (grade-dependent). In some cases, this can save our parents up to $50 or $60,000, as tuition in the first year doesn’t have to be paid, and they also save on the costs of living, accommodation, and travel. That is a signifacant saving and benefit for our parents when considering the IBCP.”
Paterson adds that these points help parents feel secure and excited about supporting their child’s passion, especially when it comes to nontraditional study areas like music.
Inspiring Students to Follow Their Dreams
Ultimately, the IBCP is about empowering students to take bold steps toward their chosen futures —whether it’s music or something else—and making those dreams feel possible and supported from the start.
“We hope to showcase the success of this pathway through our first graduating cohort of Dulwich College Suzhou IBCP-Berklee students. They will open the door for other students to experience a personalized and tailored education in the area that they are most passionate about,” says Paterson.
Moyes says the IBCP/Berklee Online collaboration is more than just a program.
“It’s a movement to inspire young artists to pursue their passions with confidence,” he says. “We’re helping students and their families see that music can unlock lives of purpose, in any discipline.”
