IB Diploma or A Levels?

Are you looking into sixth form study options? Discover the difference between IB and A Levels to take the next step in your academic journey.

A Levels

• 3 subjects for A level and one AS subject.
• AS subjects are a stand alone qualification.
• The AS subject is completed after the 1st year, whilst the A Levels subjects are studied for 2 years. A Level exams will be taken at the end of the 2 year course.
• Students can pick a combination of subject choices, but the academic choices are usually closely related. 
• A Levels allow you to focus your studies on a few key subjects.
• Each subject is graded with letters: A* being the highest and E being the lowest.
• The highest grades achieved for A Level is A*A*A*.

Why choose the IB Diploma?

The IB offers a broader structure to learning

There are 6 subject groupings. You must select 1 academic subject from each group:

• Group 1: Language and literature
• Group 2: Language acquisition
• Group 3: Individuals and Societies
• Group 4: Sciences
• Group 5: Mathematics
• Group 6: Arts or Electives – You can choose to study Music, Theatre or Visual Arts OR another language, another subject from Individuals and Societies or another science

Enhance your experience of writing academic essays ready for university

The Extended Essay encourages independent learning. You will write a 4000-word extended essay based on an original piece of research. This is a core aspect of the IB Diploma.

Develop critical thinking skills

Theory of knowledge is a another core component of the course which questions the basis of knowledge.

Flexible academic study options

The IB curriculum structure means that it is possible to take Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics – if you want to study medicine – plus literature, a language and a social science subject. It is also possible to take unusual subject combinations – Italian, English, Chemistry, Mathematics, Psychology and Art, which would be difficult to replicate in an A Level school.

Gain an international qualification

The IB Diploma is recognised globally by universities and employers, therefore being an advantage if you are hoping to study overseas.

Learn beyond the classroom

Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) involves taking part in over 150 hours of non-academic activity with a reflective writing component. Schools or colleges which offer A Levels include sporting, cultural and volunteering activities within their sixth-form curriculum, but these elements are not integrated in the same way as the IB Diploma.

Minimal grade inflation

The percentage of students achieving an IB Diploma each year has remained constant over the last decade which indicates that, unlike the A Level, there has been little grade inflation.

How is the IB assessed?

Examinations at the end of the second year are complemented by a programme of internal assessments. Each subject, whether higher or standard can contribute up to 7 points to a final points total. The Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge together contribute 3 points so the maximum score possible is 45, while the pass mark is 24 points. Examinations at the end of the second year are complemented by a programme of internal assessment.

According to the UCAS tariff, 45 points is the equivalent of 5 grade A* at A Level; 40 points is the equivalent of 4 grade A* at A Level and 35 points is equivalent to 2 grade A* at A Level and 1 grade A.