Celebrating the IBDP Class of 2026: Molli

This year, our 2026 graduates achieved outstanding results in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), with an impressive average score of 35.7 points—well above the global average of 30.88.

15% of learners scored 40 points or above, and 62% scored 35 points or more, placing them among the world’s top-performing IB learners.

As a cohort, they also achieved results that were, on average, 4.3 points higher than their initial predicted grades at the beginning of the programme.

Among these exceptional achievers is Molli, whose journey at Nexus has been shaped by remarkable personal growth and the unwavering encouragement of her teachers. She will be pursuing a degree in Psychology with a Professional Placement Year at Cardiff University.

Five years ago, Molli joined Nexus International School Singapore as a Year 9 learner with a love of theatre but little confidence in the classroom. Now, after achieving 37 points in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), she is preparing to begin a Psychology degree with a Professional Placement Year at Cardiff University, reflecting on a journey that transformed not only her academic performance but also her belief in herself.

Looking back, Molli shares how much she has changed during her time at Nexus.

“Nexus has helped me succeed significantly. They’ve brought me from a failing 14-year-old to a determined 18-year-old, and I definitely couldn’t have done this without the support of my teachers.”

For Molli, the biggest difference wasn’t simply academic support. It was the way her teachers believed in her potential, encouraging her to keep improving rather than focusing on what she couldn’t yet do.

“They would never say, ‘You can’t do it.’ They would always say, ‘You can’t do it yet.’ That’s really important for the way I learn because I need someone to guide me and encourage me. I think that’s something the teachers at Nexus are really good at.”

That encouragement helped her become more focused, organised and confident, particularly during the demanding IB years, where teachers provided guidance through coursework, Internal Assessments and the Extended Essay.

As her confidence grew, so did her passion for learning. Psychology quickly became the subject she knew she wanted to pursue beyond school.

“I’ve always found human behaviour super interesting. I love the way people think. I want to know more about why people make decisions and the biological mechanisms behind why people do things.”

Alongside psychology, theatre became another defining part of her Nexus experience.

“Theatre is my favourite hobby. You can get on stage and just let go of everything else. You can perform and express yourself.”

Those two subjects developed very different strengths.

“Theatre has taught me confidence and public speaking. Psychology has taught me to understand why people think and behave the way they do, and it’s made me much more open-minded.”

Outside the classroom, some of Molli’s most memorable experiences came through the opportunities Nexus offered beyond academics.

School productions including Mary Poppins, Bugsy Malone, Legally Blonde and Footloose became far more than performances.

“The school productions create a family. I’ve made friends from Year 7 all the way to Year 13 through the productions, and some of those friendships have lasted for years.”

Her Year 12 CAS trip to Cambodia was another experience that left a lasting impression. Although giving up their phones at the start of the trip felt challenging, it ultimately became one of the highlights.

“It allowed me and my friends to become so much closer because we could just communicate, play cards and spend time together without the distraction of social media.”

She also fondly remembers travelling to London with the Theatre department, where backstage tours and performances at the National Theatre and Globe Theatre fuelled her passion for the performing arts.

When applying to universities, Molli worked closely with the Nexus university counselling team to refine her UCAS personal statement. She also visited university open days, spoke directly with professors and researched courses carefully to ensure she found the right fit.

Rather than choosing a university based purely on reputation, she focused on the strength of the Psychology programme itself, eventually selecting Cardiff University.

Looking back, she encourages younger learners to begin preparing their university applications early and to take every opportunity to deepen their knowledge beyond the classroom.

Most importantly, she reminds them not to compare their journey with anyone else’s.

“Don’t compare yourself to other people applying to university. Look for the course that’s right for you rather than just the name of the university.”

For Molli, that mindset, combined with the encouragement she found at Nexus, helped turn uncertainty into confidence and opened the door to the next chapter of her journey.

Molli’s IB journey reflects so much of what we value at Nexus: academic excellence, resilience in the face of challenge, and a deep commitment to personal growth.

As Molli prepares to begin a new chapter, we have no doubt that she will continue to thrive and inspire. We are incredibly proud of all that Molli has achieved and are grateful to have been a part of her journey.

Molli is just one of our incredible learners in this year’s graduating class.  To see more highlights from our IBDP Class of 2026, including cohort statistics and success stories, click here.