A-level or International Baccalaureate (IB)?

The UK educational system allows two options for the curriculum in high school (the last two years of study): A-Level or International Baccalaureate (IB). For those unfamiliar with the specifics of English education, it is quite difficult to make a choice and determine the difference between these programs. Which program to choose?

To help parents understand this issue, we will conduct a comparative review of the two programs.

Main similarities

1. Both A-level and IB certificates allow you to enter a British university (if you have enough points).
2. Subjects of both programs are taught in British schools at the same high level and provide high-quality preparation for further education.
3. Both programs involve sports and allow you to try your hand at creativity.

This is where the similarities end. Now the student should correctly assess the differences and compare the advantages of each program with their needs in order to make the right decision.

Differences between programs

The difference between the programs begins with the history of their origin.

• A-Level – This is a national high school program developed in the UK. Each student chooses 3-4 subjects to study and takes exams as part of the final assessment for the secondary school course.
• IB - the "International Baccalaureate" - was developed in Switzerland as a universal school program with a common curriculum, which allows educational institutions in one country to consider education received in another country as equivalent to the national one. Thus, with an IB diploma, a student can enter a university in any European country without exams (except Spain, where entrance exams are mandatory at universities), the USA and Canada.

Each of the programs is designed for two years of study with a final exam, but A-Level students take additional exams at the end of the first year, receiving an "intermediate" AS-Level certificate.

Another key difference between the programs is the SET OF SUBJECTS STUDIED.

A-Level Program

From a wide range of subjects (20-30 disciplines) offered by the school, the student chooses 3-4 subjects, focusing on the future specialty and university requirements. Studying under the A-level program provides from 20 to 25 academic hours per week, of which 16 hours are devoted to academic subjects and 5-8 hours to English. Creative activities and sports are outside the compulsory program. Students can also complete a research work “Extended Project” with the result presented in the form of an “extended essay”.

International Baccalaureate Program

The student chooses 6 subjects (one subject from 6 groups); three of them are studied at the “advanced” level (Higher level), each of 240 academic hours, and three at the “standard” (Standard level), each of 150 hours.

Subject groups:

1. First language (usually native) and selective study of works of world literature.
2. Foreign languages ​​and literature in these languages.
3. Man and society (Social science) - history, geography, psychology, economics, philosophy, business and management, information technology and other subjects.
4. Natural sciences (Science) - a general course in biology, physics and chemistry.
5. Mathematics.
6. Additional elective subject - design, music, theatre, one of the subjects from group 3 or a subject from groups 4, 5 at an advanced level.

In practice, it looks like this: students are required to study mathematics, a general course of natural sciences, their native and foreign languages, and they choose two more subjects at their discretion.

In addition, IB students are required to write a final “extended essay” (Extended Essay) of at least 4,000 words and receive credits for two courses:

• Theory of Knowledge (TOK).
• Creativity, action and service (CAS) – a course of 50 hours of sports, 50 hours of creative work and 50 hours of social work.

Differences in the perception of the A-level and IB programs

The A-level program assumes that the student has already DECIDED HIS FUTURE SPECIALTY IN ADVANCE and consciously chooses the subjects he needs. IB, on the contrary, gives the student who has not yet decided on his plans the opportunity to make a choice a little later.

Another important point: British universities perceive the grades and points received for A-level or IB exams differently. For some time, it was believed that A-level provides deeper knowledge of specific subjects, and IB providesprovides a broader outlook (and less in-depth knowledge of specific subjects). However, leading UK universities are happy to accept students with IB diplomas; research into graduate performance has shown that the maximum possible IB exam grade (45) is more difficult to obtain than the maximum possible A-level grade (5 A* grades).

The general system of grade equivalence is as follows:

• 45 IB grades are equivalent to 5 A* grades at A-Level.
• 40 IB grades are equivalent to 4 A* grades at A-Level.
• 35 IB grades (with a minimum passing grade of 26) are equivalent to 2 A* grades and 1 A grade at A-Level.

There is still debate in the UK about the interpretation of exam grades. Only 65 students worldwide receive the highest score in IB exams each year, while many more students from English boarding schools successfully pass the A-Level. British education experts agree that it is easier for applicants to get the highest scores with the A-Level program, and it is easier to prove their knowledge to the university admissions committee with IB diploma.

British schools recognize and conduct both programs of preparation for higher education. Some private schools offer preparation only for the A-Level program, some - only IB program, and some offer both A-level and IB to choose from.

Recommendations for parents of high school students on choosing a program

• Evaluate what subjects your child is interested in and in which subjects he has the highest grades.
• Think with your child what exactly he would like to do at university, what country to go to, what field to make a career in.
• It is important to evaluate not only the strengths and weaknesses of the child in terms of study, but also HOW he is used to studying. For example, IB program involves a comprehensive approach to education and more research work and projects compared to A-level, but leaves much less free time for any additional activities.
• Certain personal qualities of the student, such as self-organization and time management skills, play a large role in the decision to choose a program.

Paul Goodman, representative of Ellesmere College: “If a child is an excellent student in all subjects, but is not yet sure what to do after finishing school, – IB is ideal. If he has an inclination towards the humanities or technical sciences and some gaps in knowledge in another area, it is better to choose A-Level. The main thing is – "It is important to take into account what the child would like to study at university and what he would like to do after university."

TOP TIP: When choosing a suitable high school program for your child, focus on his professional interests, abilities and character strengths - this will set the necessary direction and help make the right choice.