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