A Quick Guide to the AP International Diploma

Dec 2024

3 Minute Read

A discussion of the requirements for the AP International Diploma

The AP International Diploma (APID) is a prestigious credential similar to the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. It is recognized by a variety of US and international universities. This has become a degree choice offered by some boarding schools.

Students are required to complete 5 AP courses spread across 4 Content Areas. Each AP course ends with a final exam that is given once a year in May. Students must score 3+ (out of 5) on each exam. Even if a student is in another program (such as IB), the APID is incredibly useful for competitive U.S. university admissions, as it is a unique opportunity for students to demonstrate their academic excellence.

Language Requirements (2 required)

  1. Chinese Language and Culture
  2. English Language and Composition
  3. English Literature and Composition
  4. French Language and Culture
  5. German Language and Culture
  6. Italian Language and Culture
  7. Japanese Language and Culture
  8. Spanish Language and Culture
  9. Spanish Literature and Culture

AP language courses require approximately 12-18 months of prior study, and the 2 courses must be in different languages. (For instance, English/Spanish language and literature cannot be paired and count as two languages.)

Global Perspective (1 required)

  1. Art History
  2. Comparative Government and Politics
  3. Environmental Science
  4. Human Geography
  5. Macroeconomics
  6. World History

Sciences and Maths (1 required)

Math & Computer Science

  1. Calculus AB
  2. Calculus BC
  3. Computer Science A
  4. Computer Science Principles
  5. Statistics

Sciences

  1. Biology
  2. Chemistry
  3. Environmental Science
  4. Physics 1: Algebra-Based
  5. Physics 2: Algebra-Based
  6. Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism
  7. Physics C: Mechanics

Elective (1 required)

Arts

  1. Art History
  2. Music Theory
  3. Studio Art: 2-D Design
  4. Studio Art: 3-D Design
  5. Studio Art: Drawing

History & Social Sciences

  1. Comparative Government and Politics
  2. European History
  3. Human Geography
  4. Macroeconomics
  5. Microeconomics
  6. Psychology
  7. US Government and Politics
  8. US History
  9. World History

For more tips on applying to college in the U.S. and to explore our free résumé tool, download Occam's app, Wend, on the App Store!

Was this helpful?

Thanks for voting!

Thanks for voting!

More articles on our blog

From test prep to essay editing, Wend makes applying to college easier.

Get Wend

Use code OGWEND before Dec 31 for 50% off our annual membership!

From test prep to essay editing, Wend makes applying to college easier.

Get Wend

Use code OGWEND before Dec 31 for 50% off our annual membership!