St Edward's College has launched its latest initiative which has taken two years of preparatory work: the International Baccalaureate diploma programme.

Headmaster Michael Chittenden said he was delighted that St Edward's had been officially recognised as an IB World School. This, he added, gave the college "an opportunity to offer an education that is not simply different but also authentic to students who need to adopt a globally-minded perspective, especially when the opportunities to extend their horizons within the EU and beyond have become far easier in recent years".

By focusing on the dynamic combination of knowledge, skills, independent critical and creative thought, the IBDP espouses the principle of educating the whole person for a life of active, responsible citizenship.

The IB diploma was also recognised as an entry qualification by the University of Malta, a college spokesman said. The University senate approved a document stating that "the IB diploma will be accepted as comparable to the general entry requirements if obtained with 28 points (out of a maximum of 45) or higher overall". It is also expected that "the subjects chosen in the IB diploma should have a mix comparable to that in the Matriculation certificate".

Mr Chittenden reported that the college experienced a strong demand for the diploma programme, "as it is the leading international pre-university qualification in the world, with over 2,000 schools worldwide authorised to offer the course".

Demand further increased when the college announced scholarship opportunities for students with very good results, he said.