Where will the graduates of 2012 be going next?
Liz Reece, Higher Education and Careers advisor, reflects on our students' futures and looks at
why the International Baccalaureate Diploma prepares our students so well for their new directions.
Liz explains: "It's been a summer of content with almost all of our 2012 leavers getting into universities
and colleges that they most wanted (for more information on destinations please see these links). Due to the
international outlook at St. Clare's, students are introduced to university options all around the world and
sometimes find it difficult to choose where they would most like to go and where will best prepare them for
the future. But with the guidance and support of our qualified careers advisers at both sites and our
experienced US counsellor, students are able to make realistic and well informed decisions and are prepared
for their next step."
How do we prepare the students?
At St. Clare's we devote a great deal of time and resources to preparing students for the next step of their
career. The IB is the ideal programme to enable their future success. Why? Because entering the world of
work requires people to be flexible, skilled and educated communicators who can manage their time and be
independent learners.
Why is the IB such a good career preparation?
Research in UK universities shows that IB students perform better once they get to university than similar
A level students. "In institutions with IB students having an average grade of 37 or more, for example, we
find that the IB students are 5.4 percentage points more likely to achieve an upper second class degree or
better" -
source information. Also,
- IB students are more likely to be at “top” universities;
- They have a higher probability than A level students of obtaining a good degree;
- They are more likely to complete their degree than non-IB students;
- And have a higher probability of going on to post-graduate study;
- IB graduates are more likely to be employed; specifically more likely to be employed in higher
paying graduate level jobs - this article explains it more
The IB ‘learner profile' develops ‘employability skills' as well as demonstrating knowledge".
Liz Reece, Higher Education and Careers advisor
September
