The IB Career-related Programme (CP) allows schools to blend academic study with real-world career preparation.
A key part of this design is the Career-related Study (CRS) — where students gain specialized, hands-on learning experiences in professional fields.

Globally, many schools partner with high-quality CRS providers. Among the most established and impactful are Microsoft, Pearson BTEC, and the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD).

Each offers a distinctive approach that complements the IB philosophy, preparing students for higher education, skilled employment, or entrepreneurial paths.
These case studies demonstrate how flexible, innovative CRS options can enhance the CP experience for schools and students alike.

Quick Start Checklist: What Makes a CRS Partnership Work

• Clear alignment with IB learning outcomes.
• Strong integration with DP courses and the CP Core.
• Opportunities for authentic assessment and reflection.
• Development of transferable, global skills.
• Collaboration between school staff and CRS instructors.

Each of these three providers — Microsoft, BTEC, and SCAD — fulfills these principles in unique ways.

1. Why CRS Providers Matter in the IB CP

The CRS is the practical backbone of the CP.
It connects classroom learning to professional application, giving students a taste of what real careers demand.

CRS providers:

• Deliver specialized instruction that schools might not have in-house.
• Offer industry-recognized credentials that enhance employability.
• Enable schools to offer diverse pathways — from business to technology to the arts.
• Model the IB learner profile by emphasizing inquiry, reflection, and ethical action.

When chosen carefully, CRS partners transform the CP into an education that’s both academic and applied.

2. Microsoft: Future-Ready Skills Through Technology

Microsoft Corporation is one of the IB’s Strategic CRS Providers and a global leader in technology education.
Through the Microsoft Skills Learning Path (MSLP), CP students can gain practical experience with the same tools and platforms used across industries worldwide.

What Students Learn

• Data analysis and visualization (Excel, Power BI).
• Cloud computing and AI fundamentals (Azure, Copilot).
• Cybersecurity and responsible tech use.
• Communication and collaboration using digital tools (Teams, SharePoint).

Why It Fits the CP

Microsoft’s CRS focuses on digital literacy, problem-solving, and collaboration — all core competencies of Personal and Professional Skills (PPS).
It also supports reflective and ethical thinking, as students explore the social impact of technology and AI.

Assessment and Recognition

Students earn Microsoft certifications that are recognized by universities and employers worldwide.
These credentials demonstrate tangible skills and align perfectly with the CP’s focus on transferable learning.

Example Integration

A CP student taking DP Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation can link theory to real-world data analytics using Microsoft software — applying learning in authentic professional contexts.

3. Pearson BTEC: Global Career Education with Academic Depth

Pearson BTEC (Business and Technology Education Council) qualifications are among the most widely recognized vocational credentials in the world.
They are designed to complement academic study with hands-on, project-based learning, making them an ideal CRS for the CP.

What Students Learn

BTEC courses are offered in fields such as:

• Business and Entrepreneurship
• Creative Media and Performing Arts
• Sports Science and Health
• Information Technology
• Engineering and Design

Students complete units that simulate real workplace scenarios — preparing presentations, portfolios, and research projects rather than just exams.

Why It Fits the CP

BTEC emphasizes learning by doing, a perfect match for the CP’s reflective, practical ethos.
It encourages students to:

• Develop professional behaviors and technical skills.
• Reflect on feedback and performance.
• Connect coursework to their career interests.

Assessment and Recognition

BTEC qualifications are internationally recognized and valued for university admissions.
When integrated with DP subjects and the CP Core, they give students a balanced profile of academic rigor and professional readiness.

Example Integration

A CP student taking DP Business Management alongside BTEC Business can analyze theoretical models in DP lessons, then apply them to a practical case study in their CRS — reinforcing both understanding and employability.

4. Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD): Creativity as a Career Pathway

Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) is another official IB CRS Strategic Provider, offering creative industry pathways that prepare students for design, film, animation, architecture, and fashion careers.

SCAD’s courses emphasize innovation, visual storytelling, and global collaboration — making them ideal for CP schools with strong arts or design programs.

What Students Learn

Depending on their chosen specialization, students may explore:

• Design thinking and creative problem-solving.
• Digital media production and editing.
• Animation, visual effects, or 3D modeling.
• Fashion and product design.
• Marketing and brand communication.

Why It Fits the CP

SCAD courses encourage creative inquiry and reflective practice — central to the IB philosophy.
They also integrate ethics and sustainability, prompting students to consider how art and design influence society and the environment.

Assessment and Recognition

Students earn SCAD micro-credentials or college credits recognized by higher education institutions worldwide.
These achievements can form part of student portfolios for university applications or professional entry.

Example Integration

A CP student taking DP Visual Arts and DP English Language and Literature could pursue a SCAD course in digital design, linking creativity, storytelling, and visual communication through the Reflective Project.

5. Comparing the Three CRS Providers

CRS Provider Strengths Common Student Pathways Microsoft Technology, data, AI, and innovation; global certification IT, Computer Science, Data Analytics, Business Tech BTEC (Pearson) Project-based vocational learning across industries Business, Health, Engineering, Media, Design SCAD Creative and design-focused, bridging arts and entrepreneurship Visual Arts, Design, Media, Fashion, Film

(Note: Presented textually for accessibility — no tables are used in CMS uploads.)

Each provider supports the CP’s flexible framework and allows schools to tailor pathways that reflect their context, culture, and student ambitions.

6. How to Choose the Right CRS Partner

Schools should consider:

• Student interests — what industries excite their learners.
• School resources — space, technology, and teacher expertise.
• Local and global relevance — aligning opportunities with job markets.
• University recognition — ensuring CRS qualifications support admissions.

In many cases, schools combine more than one CRS partner, offering students multiple tracks (for example, BTEC for business and Microsoft for IT).

7. Integrating CRS With the CP Core and DP Courses

For maximum impact, CRS learning must connect with the CP Core and DP coursework.

Integration ideas:

• Use CRS projects as starting points for Reflective Project topics.
• Incorporate PPS lessons that mirror professional scenarios from CRS modules.
• Link Language and Cultural Studies to communication in global industries.
• Embed ethical reflection within creative or technological decision-making.

This integration ensures students don’t just gain skills — they understand their ethical, cultural, and professional applications.

8. Student Reflections: What Makes These CRS Options Stand Out

Students often describe these CRS experiences as “real education.”
They appreciate:

• Hands-on learning rather than textbook theory.
• Industry recognition that validates their skills.
• Confidence in transitioning to higher education or employment.
• Personal relevance — seeing a direct link between school and life goals.

This sense of ownership is central to the CP’s philosophy of personalized, purposeful learning.

9. Challenges and Solutions When Partnering With CRS Providers

Even established CRS partnerships require careful coordination.

Challenges:

• Balancing schedules between DP and CRS commitments.
• Ensuring staff communication across different systems.
• Aligning assessment timing and criteria.

Solutions:

• Appoint a CP–CRS coordinator to manage logistics and quality.
• Use shared digital platforms for tracking progress.
• Align CRS assignments with DP or Core outcomes for efficiency.

With structured planning, schools can ensure seamless delivery and integration.

10. Measuring Success: Outcomes That Matter

The success of CRS partnerships can be measured through:

• Student engagement and satisfaction.
• Achievement in both DP and CRS components.
• University recognition of CRS qualifications.
• Post-graduation employment or entrepreneurship data.

Schools that evaluate these outcomes regularly can refine partnerships for maximum impact.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can schools use more than one CRS provider in their CP?
Yes. Many schools offer multiple CRS pathways to accommodate different student interests.

2. Are these CRS programs recognized internationally?
Yes — Microsoft, BTEC, and SCAD are globally respected providers with established university and industry recognition.

3. Do students receive additional certificates from these providers?
Yes. Each offers its own certification, often alongside the IB Career-related Programme Certificate.

4. How much teacher coordination is required?
High collaboration is essential. CP coordinators must ensure CRS, DP, and Core elements remain aligned.

5. Which CRS provider is “best”?
There’s no single answer — the best CRS is the one that fits your students, school resources, and community context.

Conclusion: Real Learning for Real Futures

Microsoft, BTEC, and SCAD illustrate the power of partnership in the IB Career-related Programme.
Each brings authentic professional experience into the classroom — connecting students’ passions with practical, globally recognized skills.

When schools integrate CRS effectively, the CP becomes far more than a curriculum.
It becomes a launchpad — helping students step confidently into higher education, skilled professions, and the wider world with purpose and reflection.