IB vs A Levels? It’s a tough choice

Choosing between A Levels or the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) programme for sixth form can be a difficult decision. Both offer a rigorous and challenging curriculum that can prepare students for university and future life. However, there are some key differences to weigh up:

- Breadth vs depth?

A Levels are renowned around the world for their academic rigour and depth. Specialising in just three or four subjects means that students have plenty of curriculum time to really drill down into a subject before university. Those with a particular academic bent — scientific or linguistic, for example — can pursue specialist pre-university studies without the distraction of subjects they don’t enjoy.

On the other hand, the IB programme emphasises a breadth of experience. Students study six subjects across a range of compulsory subject areas, including maths, a foreign language, sciences and humanities. The IB includes a core component that focuses on creativity, activity, service and the development of critical thinking and research skills.

You can probably infer my bias here. I am an advocate for the IB over A Levels because I believe it offers the majority of 16-18 year olds a much broader general education before specialising at university. This compulsory breadth, though, is off putting to a lot of teenagers who relish the opportunity to dump subjects they do not enjoy after their GCSEs.

🌶️ My personal hot take is that a lot of degree-educated professionals in the UK are too siloed and narrow intellectually. As a result we have bred a managerial class who sometimes seem, in the words of philosopher Nicholas Nassim Taleb, ‘IYIs: intellectual yet idiot’. I agree with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak that all 16-18 year olds in formal education should continue studying maths, and if I was Education Secretary I would probably add a foreign language as well.

- Private vs state?

There are a few state schools that do offer the IB: Ashcroft Technology College in Putney and Hockerill European School in Hertfordshire, for example. But these are few and far between. Often if a student wants to study the IB in England, then they will probably have to go private.

- Security of the known vs challenge of the new

Again, the fact that the IB is offered by relatively few schools in the UK means that if a student wants to pursue this pathway, they will probably have to switch schools. There is a lot to be said for familiarity with teachers and learning environments. Researchers have found statistically significant increases in test scores from students having the same teacher for two years. However, some students can benefit hugely from the challenge of a new environment, new relationships and a fresh start.