It's that possible to start high school and start IB diploma at 20 years old?

@IBkidinthecorner would you be able to help?

@IBkidinthecorner would you be able to help?

Thanks for the tag and sorry for the late response! @sky1aa I’m sorry to hear about your personal struggles during high school. I don’t think the IB had a strict upper age limit; they just say that it’s aimed at 16-19 year olds. My high school in New Zealand had an international student who was 21 upon graduation I think. It is up to the individual school whether or not they accept you though. You could always write to international schools to ask whether they would consider you. Is there a particular reason you wish to do the IB? It is a very rigorous programme and might not be the easiest high school qualification to ease yourself back into. It may be more practical to do A-Levels as you can focus on your three best subjects rather than trying to be a jack of all trades. I’m happy to answer any questions about the IB you may have. Good luck!

Thank you! Do you know the school name? I'd like to send email and ask.

Hello everyone, I'm 20 years old and I have to leave school at 15 because depression and bullying, also many family things. I really want to finish high school and start IB program. It's that possible? I really want continue education but China many schools rejected me, Does every country have this age rule? I want to finish high school in a country I can afford and there is no age limit and I can explain why. COVID change my life and many things, I feel lost, I'm learning how to grow and cope and come out of the hard times.

Hello, sorry to hear about your situation, and I really wish I had seen this post before, however, I believe we are not too late. To answer your question, yes, it's still possible to apply to IB Diploma and find schools that don't have an upper age limit. I took a gap year in between, am 18 and doing grade 10, and will graduate IB Diploma at 21, all that on a full ride scholarship. So I don't think it should be impossible for you, if you are capable to explain the gaps in your education, and be a promising student since IB is rigorous and needs you to be extremely mentally fit before the drain. Not to discourage you though, just being more pragmatic and realistic so you make an informed decision.
Since you said you needed an affordable school, I'd firstly say most IB schools are very expensive compared to your local schools, thus you might need scholarships or bursaries, which are mostly open in between August to January, some until April, thus we are really off the grid, but I'd hope if you are a promising student, many schools can make an exception. Another option could be state funded IB schools, I know a few of them that could only cost you around 2000-5000 euros a year, but you'd need to pay rent (you are 20 so i dont think you need to live with a guardian, but you could) as most of them are day schools. So let me know if you are looking to get either scholarships, bursaries or partially state funded private schools that accept international students on student visa as fully stated funded schools don't, unless your parents are willing to move and work there.
But otherwise, you might wanna explore A level schools too, there also scholarships there and since you had a hard time, I'm afraid IB might break you, however, at the end of the day, it's all about what's really best for you and I'll be happy to support. I've been there so I understand, and I'll be glad to help a friend