Celebrating 20 Years of IBDP Excellence: Congratulations to the BIS HCMC Class of 2026

We are incredibly proud to announce the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) results for the BIS HCMC Class of 2026. Our 20th graduating cohort, and our largest to date with over 120 students taking the full diploma, has once again far surpassed global averages, demonstrating immense hard work, commitment, and resilience.

This milestone year also marks two decades of delivering the IBDP at BIS HCMC. For two decades, our students have consistently shown their high calibre, achieving outstanding results that place them among the very best in Vietnam, Asia, and the world. Fittingly, this year’s cohort includes our 20th student to receive a perfect score of 45/45 in BIS HCMC history, cementing a 20-year legacy of IBDP excellence. 

Congratulations to the Class of 2026

The BIS HCMC Class of 2026 has achieved a remarkable average IBDP score of 36.5, outperforming the global average of 30.9 by almost six points, a consistent trend of academic excellence at BIS HCMC. One student achieved a perfect 45-point score, placing her in the top 1% globally and one of 20 students to achieve a perfect score in BIS HCMC IBDP history. This year's perfect scorer is joined by an incredible six more students achieving a near-perfect 44 points, and 18 students achieving over 42 points. In total, more than 1 in 4 students (27.2%) achieved a highly competitive score of 40 or more. To put this into perspective, a score of 40+ typically places a student in the top 10% globally, meaning our Class of 2026 produced top-tier global achievers at nearly three times the global average. This highly competitive achievement positions them strongly for entry into the world's leading universities.

Furthermore, nearly two-thirds of all grades awarded were marked as a 6 or 7, equivalent to an A or A* at A-Level, showcasing consistent excellence across subject domains.

Sharing his joy regarding the milestone, Head of Secondary Mr Stephen Kay commented:

“As our largest ever graduating class and the 20th cohort of IBDP graduates from BIS HCMC, you can all be very proud of your results – they are the product of your hard work, dedication, and motivation over the course of the two-year IB Diploma Programme, and the way that you have looked after and supported each other. Thank you also to all our teachers and staff at BIS HCMC for providing such wonderful guidance for our Year 13 graduates. As I said at graduation, you were a wonderful cohort to work with – full of energy, enthusiasm, and fun, filling our sixth form centre with laughter and joy. As you close your Secondary education chapter, be proud of everything you’ve achieved, the friendships and bonds that you’ve formed, and the lasting impact you’ve all had on all of us in the BIS community.”

Our Class of 2026 Results Headlines:

Average Score: 36.5 (Global average: 30.9)
Average Subject Score: 5.73 (Global average: 4.93)
Pass Rate: 99.2%
Top Score Achieved: 45 points (achieved by 1 student)
Near-Perfect (42+ points): 18 students
40+ Points: 27.2% (UK average: 18%)
Bilingual Diplomas: 24.8%
Top Subject Grades Achieved (6-7 points = A-A* at A Level): 61.7%

Consistently Excellent Results

While this year’s overall and subject averages are ever so slightly higher than last year, the biggest shift from 2025 to 2026 is a near-double increase of students achieving bilingual diplomas, jumping from 14% last year to nearly 25% in 2026. This growth not only highlights our students’ exceptional linguistic skills in mastering one of the world’s most rigorous certifications in not just one, but two languages, but also reflects BIS HCMC’s dedicated support for home language pathways. This combination ensures our graduates proudly maintain their heritage culture and language, while gaining a distinct competitive edge as they transition to top international university destinations. 

 

The IBDP Journey

Widely considered one of the most rigorous and highly-regarded secondary school qualifications worldwide, the IB Diploma is earned over 2 years. Students select six subjects (three at standard level and three to specialise at higher level), alongside the rigorous IB core requirements: a 4,000-word Extended Essay (EE) on a topic of their choosing, a Theory of Knowledge (TOK) critical thinking course, and the Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) programme. This holistic approach equips students not just with a depth and breadth of knowledge, but also the research and essay skills that make the transition to university seamless. This year, our Class of 2026 received exceptional offers from top institutions around the world. 

 

 

The IBDP Journey

Widely considered one of the most rigorous and highly-regarded secondary school qualifications worldwide, the IB Diploma is earned over 2 years. Students select six subjects (three at standard level and three to specialise at higher level), alongside the rigorous IB core requirements: a 4,000-word Extended Essay (EE) on a topic of their choosing, a Theory of Knowledge (TOK) critical thinking course, and the Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) programme. This holistic approach equips students not just with a depth and breadth of knowledge, but also the research and essay skills that make the transition to university seamless. This year, our Class of 2026 received exceptional offers from top institutions around the world. 

 

 

Reflecting on this cohort’s incredible results, his first in role as Principal at BIS HCMC, Mr Simon Higham commented:

“What an outstanding set of IBDP results achieved by our Class of 2026 – the largest ever cohort of Year 13s to graduate from BIS HCMC across the 20 years that we have now successfully run the IBDP.
 
I would like to personally congratulate every BIS HCMC graduate on both your individual and collective achievements. Whether you have been with us since you were 2 years of age and wore our red Fundino shirt or recently joined the sixth form in Year 12, you have brought an immense sense of pride and inspiration to our school and to your family.
 
Take a moment in time to reflect upon your achievements, your time at BIS HCMC, and now look forward with great excitement and confidence. Our future is now in your hands, and you’re most certainly prepared for the challenge ahead!
 
Well done to you all, and as stated at your graduation ceremony, walk tall and with confidence in any shoes you wish to wear. Once BIS HCMC, always BIS HCMC!”

2026 Graduation

To relive the graduation celebration, you can watch the highlights from the Class of 2026’s graduation ceremony at the Park Hyatt Saigon here:

 

BIS HCMC Class of 2026 - our whole community is so proud of everything you have achieved, not just your results, but your leadership, your kindness, your resilience, and your dedication to leave the world around you a better place than you found it. Your next exciting steps are soon upon you as you get ready to depart for university destinations all over the world. When you arrive at your campus, remember Mr Kay's final words of advice: “You’ve got this!”

And, as always, don’t BIStrangers.