To IB or Not To IB, That is the Question: Our 2024 Guide to A Levels Vs IB
Many students and their parents face a crucial decision when it comes to choosing between the International Baccalaureate (IB) and traditional options like A Levels or Pre-U exams. With an increasing number of top schools in the UK, such as North London Collegiate School, Kings College Wimbledon, Godolphin & Latymer, and Fettes, now offering the programme, which the BBC calls ‘challenging and well-rounded’, it's essential to understand its merits and dispel any misconceptions. In this guide, U2 IB Tutor, Emma (Studied the IB at Godolphin & Latymer School/ Oxford English graduate), aims to shed light on the IB system and debunks common myths surrounding it.
Considering International Baccalaureate (IB) vs. A Levels or Pre-U Exams: Debunking Myths and Exploring the Benefits
Choosing the right academic path for your post-16 education is a significant decision that can shape your future opportunities and career prospects. To help you make an informed choice, let's explore the key factors to consider when deciding between A-Levels and IB:
Curriculum Structure & Personal Learning Style
A-Levels: A-Levels provide subject-based qualifications, allowing you to select a smaller number of subjects (usually three to four) to study in-depth. Each subject is assessed through examinations at the end of the course, providing specialisation and depth of knowledge. A-Levels offer greater flexibility in terms of subject selection. You have the freedom to choose subjects that align with your interests, strengths, and future career aspirations. This can be advantageous if you already have a clear idea of the subjects you want to specialise in.
In general, A-Levels allow for a more focused and specialised approach to education. With a narrower subject focus, A-Levels provide an opportunity for students to delve deeper into their chosen subjects. They can develop a comprehensive understanding of the topics, theories, and concepts, building a strong foundation for further study or future careers in specific fields. Choosing A-Levels can be particularly advantageous if a student already has a clear idea of their preferred subjects or career path.
IB: As of 2018, the IB runs in 190 schools across the UK, with many students – particularly those applying to university abroad - drawn to the idea of a subject range more suited to the Liberal Arts format. The IB diploma offers a broader curriculum with a focus on interdisciplinary learning. It consists of six subject groups, including languages, sciences, humanities, mathematics, arts, and an additional subject of your choice. Three of your six subject choices are ‘higher’ subjects, and are studied to a similar standard as A Level, and three of those are ‘lower’ subjects. The ‘lower’ subjects, however, generally differ from A Level in the amount of depth they go into, but are of a similar conceptual difficulty. Certain subjects, such as Maths, do offer numerous tiers to allow for students who are not equally strong across the board: Higher level is conceptually slightly more difficult than A Level, Standard is roughly the same, and Studies is somewhere between GCSE and A Level. All students must take subjects in their first language, maths, a science, a second language, and a humanity. This is one of the reasons that the IB has a reputation as being a particularly challenging course, but it is also one of the reasons it is so rewarding: whereas students doing A Levels often do very similar subjects, having to move from a science to arts from one lesson to the next encourages invigorated thinking and alleviates tedium. This breadth of study can be beneficial if you prefer a more diverse academic experience or if you are undecided about your future career path.
Along with these six subjects, each student has to write an extended essay (similar to the EPQ), theory of knowledge (or TOK, which centres on debate and philosophical analysis of how we receive knowledge), and ‘creativity, action, service’ (or CAS, which is a set number of hours of either community service, theatrical endeavours, or musical activities). You can see the IBO website for in-depth and detailed subject information.
Assessment Methods
A-Levels: A-Levels are primarily assessed through final examinations at the end of the two-year course. This exam-focused approach allows for focused preparation and specialisation in individual subjects.
IB: The IB diploma employs a combination of coursework, examinations, and internal assessments (mini coursework assignments). This varied assessment approach takes into account different learning styles and evaluates your skills beyond traditional exams. It emphasises critical thinking, research abilities, and independent study.
There are some issues with the IB system when it comes to assessment. For example, the examiners who mark your work come from across the world. Whilst this is fantastic for promoting a kind of global educational cohesion, it does also mean that occasionally examiners do not speak English as a first language, even when they mark essay subjects. The marks that come back can therefore be a little more haphazard than in UK-based curriculums, which can create a problem with expected grades particularly in schools when teachers are not as familiar with the grading boundaries as they are with A Levels.
University Recognition
A-Levels: A-Levels have a long-standing reputation in the UK and are widely recognised by universities and colleges. Universities often have specific entry requirements, requesting certain grades in specific A-Level subjects for admission into specific degree programs. A-Levels are seen as a natural progression to university-level studies in the UK. The subject-based nature of A-Levels aligns well with the more specialised and focused approach of undergraduate degrees. Students who choose A-Levels may feel better prepared for the academic demands of higher education.
IB: The IB diploma is recognised and accepted by universities worldwide. Many universities value the IB's holistic and rigorous approach to education. However, entry requirements may vary between institutions, so it's crucial to research the specific IB diploma scores and subject prerequisites of your desired universities.
If applying to Oxbridge, the IB can be invaluable preparation in honing critical and logical thinking skills, which are key to success in Oxbridge admissions tests and interviews. The IB prepared me for Oxford in a way that I believe A Level does not – an opinion that my tutors reaffirmed in my first year. We were consistently encouraged, forced even, to think outside the box: a compulsory extended essay meant I already had sound specialised knowledge of an area when it came to writing my personal statement; our curriculum regularly took us beyond UK-based texts and scholarship; TOK meant we had to consider philosophical questions behind academia aged as young as 16; CAS made us engage empathetically with our community and undertake extra-curriculars that were good for our mental states, even when we felt like all we should be doing was cracking on with work.
Further information on what makes the IB different from other A-Level courses can be found here.
Time Management
There is no denying that the IB is a big undertaking. At Godolphin & Latymer, I studied IB whilst the majority of my contemporaries did A Levels, and the amount of free time they had in comparison was often infuriating. Handling high intensity university applications, such as for the USA or Oxbridge, can feel like a mammoth task on top of an already very full workload. Yet for those taking a gap year, IB provides the self-discipline and independent learning that are the backbone of successful applications after school.
Ultimately, there is no definitive "better" choice between A-Levels and IB. The decision should align with your academic strengths, career goals, and learning preferences. Research and consult with teachers, career counsellors, and current students to gain more insights and perspectives. Remember to keep in mind your long-term goals, university aspirations, and the subjects that genuinely interest you. Both A-Levels and IB can provide a solid foundation for higher education, so choose the path that resonates most with your ambitions and personal growth.
Looking For IB or A-Level Tutors?
U2 offers schools and examinations guidance for students looking to Sixth Form Entry or in need of IB or A-Level support. If undertaking the IB, our extracurricular division will be able to advise on students' CAS arrangements and mentors are well-placed to guide the student through the TOK process.
Our specialist A-Level and IB tutors are skilled at finding strategies to manage the material required to cover, and to help students score highly across each component. Each tutor is capable of adapting their teaching style to suit each individual student’s needs and adept at helping students develop the skills required to create high quality essays under exam conditions, as well as research and write coursework/ Extended Essays.
The IB or A-Level Tuition Process:
Most clients book a complimentary consultation to discuss their particular requirements. We have a large team of Oxbridge-educated A-Level and IB tutors, including a number of tutors who have achieved all A*s or perfect (45) or near-perfect scores. For both Standard and Higher Level subjects, we will pair students with an IB tutor who has not only excelled in their own IB in the subject (Scored 7), but also gone on to take the subject (or a closely related subject) to degree level at Oxford or Cambridge university. A-Level tutor selection involves a similar process - we will select tutors who have achieved A* in the specific subject, and gone on to university level study in the field, on top of their teaching experience.
We suggest a specialist IB or A-Level tutor/s and send their full CV/s for review: Our tutors are deeply familiar with the IB and A-Level processes, and are well-placed to guide students through examination preparation, IA assessments, Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essays etc. We may suggest a range of IB/ A-Level tutors to choose from with slightly differing rates depending on qualifications and level of experience.
We typically suggest beginning with a 1.5 hour informal assessment/ preliminary session, where the tutor will informally assess the student’s current subject level and identify areas for development. Following this, we issue a report with feedback, and structure a plan to best prepare.
Regular IB/ A-Level sessions: If you are happy to proceed following the initial session, we will have registered you on our online system, following which, sessions can be arranged as and when you need, with reports sent after every session. Our IB/ A-Level tutors will guide the student through each element of the process required, will plan for sessions meticulously, and ensure the student is on track to achieve their desired grade.
To learn more about how we can support, book a consultation or view our IB and A-Level pages to learn more.