International Baccalaureate

Students who have completed one or more higher-level International Baccalaureate (IB) courses in disciplines offered at the University of Rochester may be eligible for transfer credit or advanced placement. No credit is granted for standard level exams. Students with IB examination scores are subject to the credit limits (16 credits) outlined in the policy described credit and placement by examination page.

Such course credit can be used toward meeting degree requirements when permitted by the major or minor department. IB credit cannot be used toward fulfillment of the primary writing requirement or toward any of the College’s clusters. Additionally, IB credit cannot be used to accelerate graduation beyond what is permitted by the College’ enrollment policy.

Transfer students cannot use IB credit to modify their Rochester Curriculum (cluster) requirements.

To request an official transcript, visit the IB transcripts page.

The chart below is for higher-level exam scores only.

Policy for the Class of 2027
SubjectScorePlacement/Credit
Social Anthropology6+Award credit for ANTH 101 after completion of any other course with a grade of C or better.
Biology6+Award four credits of elective biology. Not for major. (Eligible to enroll in BIOL 112/113.)
Chemistry6+Award four credits for CHEM 131. Eligible to either enroll in CHEM 171 in the fall or go into CHEM 132 in spring. Students taking CHEM 131 will forfeit AP/IB credit.
Computer Science5+Place into CSC 172. Credit will be awarded for CSC 171.
Economics4

5+
Place into ECON 207. No credit awarded.

Place into ECON 207. Award credit for ECON 108.
English6+Award four hours of elective English credit, not for major, after completion of an English literature course with a grade of C or better.
Global Politics5+Award four credit hours of elective credit in international relations. Can be used toward a major in international relations or political science.
History6+Award maximum of four hours of history elective credit. This credit is elective and may not be used to satisfy the geographical, chronological, or focus requirements for the major.
Japanese5


6+
Placement by department into JPNS 152. Award credit for JPNS 151 upon completion of JPNS 152 with a grade of B+ or better.

Placement by Department into JPNS 201. Award credit for JPNS 151 and JPNS 152 upon completion of JPNS 201 with a grade of B+ or better.
Latin5+Award credit for LATN 102.
Mathematics4+Students that scored a 4 or better in International Baccalaureate higher-level (IB-HL) mathematics are placed into MATH 162 and awarded credit for MATH 161. Students can also opt for MATH 171, although no advanced credit is awarded with this option. No credit is awarded for IB-SL mathematics. We encourage students with a MATH 141 placement who took IB-SL mathematics to take the placement exam.
MusicPlease contact the department for credit to be awarded or placement.
Philosophy5+Award credit for PHIL 101.
Physics7Four general college hour credits; these credits cannot be used to satisfy any of the requirements for the PHYS/ASTR major or minor.
Psychology6+Award credit for PSYC 101.
Spanish5


6+
Placement by department into SPAN 152. Award credit for SPAN 151 upon completion of SPAN 152 with a grade of "B+" or better.

Placement by department into SPAN 200. Award credit for SPAN 151 and SPAN 152 upon completion of SPAN 200 with a grade of "B+" or better.
Theatre Arts6+Award four hours of elective English credit, not for major.
Visual Arts6+Award maximum of four hours in studio arts upon completion of a 100-level course with a grade of B or better.