The International Baccalaureate versus A levels
University admissions officers compare A levels to the International Baccalaureate on how they prepare students for higher education
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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? |
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|
A-levels |
IB |
Encouraging independent inquiry |
49 per cent |
94per cent |
Developing in-depth subject expertise |
94per cent |
56per cent |
Developing workplace skills |
2per cent |
67per cent |
Developing ability to cope with pressure |
62per cent |
66per cent |
Nurturing an open mind |
24per cent |
93per cent |
Developing self-management skills |
47per cent |
91per cent |
Encouraging a global outlook |
7per cent |
97per cent |
Nurturing communication skills |
37per cent |
44per cent |
Encouraging creativity |
15per cent |
37per cent |
Developing intercultural skills |
8per cent |
70per cent |
Instilling a positive approach to risk taking |
4per cent |
24per cent |
Propensity to complete their degree |
78per cent |
83per cent |
Interest to study to MA or PhD level |
44per cent |
54per cent |