ߣߣƵ

the logo

The International Baccalaureate versus A levels

University admissions officers compare A levels to the International Baccalaureate on how they prepare students for higher education

  • Student life
Seeta Bhardwa's avatar

Seeta Bhardwa

Editor, THE Student
July 11 2017
Exam study

Share

The International Baccalaureate diploma programme is better at encouraging a “global outlook” in students, while A levels give students more “in-depth” expertise, according to the findings of the University Admissions Officers Report 2017.

UK university admissions officers were invited to rate both qualifications on how they develop a range of different qualities in students. The results found that there was a considerable difference in the two study programmes.

The biggest difference was in “encouraging global outlook” where 97 per cent of the admissions officers rated the IB as developing this “well or very well”. Only 7 per cent said the same about A levels.

The IB was also top for “encouraging independent inquiry” with 94 per cent of the admissions officers saying that it did this “well or very well”, while only 49 per cent of officers gave the A levels a similar rating.

However, A levels were considered to offer better “in-depth subject expertise” with 94 per cent stating that they developed this “well or very well”, compared to 56 per cent for the IB.

A levels is a qualification offered in England, Northern Ireland and Wales, as an alternative qualification in Scotland and as an international school qualification worldwide. Students usually study three or four subjects in-depth over the course of two years.

The International Baccalaureate is made up of four different study programmes, one of which is the diploma programme. Students must pick one subject from six subject groups including languages, sciences and the arts and then study three of these to a higher level. The International Baccalaureate is studied all over the world.

This table shows the percentage of advisers who believed the two education programmes developed the listed skills “well or very well”.

How well do you think A levels and the International Baccalaureate diploma develop the following qualities in students at present?
A-levelsIB
Encouraging independent inquiry49 per cent94per cent
Developing in-depth subject expertise94per cent56per cent
Developing workplace skills2per cent67per cent
Developing ability to cope with pressure62per cent66per cent
Nurturing an open mind24per cent93per cent
Developing self-management skills47per cent91per cent
Encouraging a global outlook7per cent97per cent
Nurturing communication skills37per cent44per cent
Encouraging creativity15per cent37per cent
Developing intercultural skills8per cent70per cent
Instilling a positive approach to risk taking4per cent24per cent
Propensity to complete their degree78per cent83per cent
Interest to study to MA or PhD level44per cent54per cent

Explore the UK university rankings here


You may also like

How to survive A-level results day

How to survive A-level results day

Hannah Morrish, education community manager at The Student Room, shares her advice for students preparing for A-level results day

Hannah Morrish

August 6 2021
sticky sign up

Register free and enjoy extra benefits