One of the most important decisions for any family is determining the qualifications their child will graduate with. These final two years of schooling are critical, as the results achieved during this time serve as a ‘boarding pass’ to university and future opportunities. In the international education landscape, families face a wide array of curriculum options. However, two prominent choices stand out: the time-honored British A-level curriculum and the innovative, increasingly popular International Baccalaureate (IB) program.

There are several similarities between the two curriculums: both are globally recognized as gold standard academic qualifications, both will give you access to UK Universities and also Universities in the US, where you may even be awarded credits for some of your subjects; both are rigorously academic and require active academic minds, and thanks to recent A-level reforms, both are now spread over a two year period with final externally moderated exams at the end of Year 13.  However, the similarities end there.

Taking the A-level route allows you to choose three to four subjects from the very broad range on offer.  Most courses take a synoptic view and teachers are free to select certain topics from a list published by the exam boards. As a student, you can pick any combination of subjects mixing Sciences and Humanities with the Arts or choose to take a more specialist route, such as straight Sciences, a good choice if you are planning a career in Medicine, for example.  A-levels give students an opportunity to study their subjects in great depth over the two years and develop a sound knowledge of their subject. Many schools also offer an opportunity to do an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) which encourages a student to do an in-depth piece of independent research outside of the curriculum, very valuable preparation for University.  A-levels are a tried and tested curriculum and the latest changes to a linear programme, with one final examination at the end, make them more demanding and academically rigorous.  It is also a curriculum that Universities are well versed in evaluating and many degree programmes build on the knowledge gained in the A-level courses.  The exams are awarded grades that range from A* to E, with the highly prized A* recognizing top academic achievement. 

The IB, founded in 1968, is a much more broadly based curriculum with a focus on keeping a wider number of subjects in play.  It requires students to take six subjects, three at Higher Level and three at Standard Level. The subject choice is much more prescriptive than A-levels: each student is required to take Maths, their native language, a modern foreign language, a humanity and a science subject and they then have the option of picking from an Art, Music or Drama based subject or taking a second option from one of the other categories.  There is also a general core which includes an extended essay, a Theory of Knowledge course and a Creativity, Action, Service element which gives students a chance to undertake volunteering and encourages them to develop skills for civic engagement.  The IB philosophy is to encourage pupils to see connections and think across subject boundaries. An IB learner is encouraged to think for themselves, to develop an enquiring mind, to be open minded and to be reflective learners.  For Universities, the IB student has already acquired many of the skills they need to make the most of a degree; the ability to work independently and to understand how to research and critically evaluate material.  The IBDP is also examined at the end of Year 13 and is graded with a point system, the maximum that can be achieved is 45, with 7 points being allocated to each subject and 3 points for the core elements. 

So for an undecided student, the IB keeps many options open and he or she can maintain flexibility for future degree and career options. It fits particularly well with the American University system as it matches many of the core elements required in a Liberal Arts Degree. But it is worth bearing in mind that reservations about the IB have been expressed by some university science departments, as a candidate is only allowed to study two sciences at the Higher Level. While it is a great option for a student who demonstrates breadth and would find choosing only three or four subjects for A-levels very limiting, for some 16-year-olds finally being able to drop subjects that they have struggled with for years can come as a blessed relief and allow them to concentrate on the subjects they are good at or really enjoy. Whilst dropping the wrong subjects can limit your choices later on, picking the right ones can be a surer route into some degree courses.  As Dr Sam Lucy, Admissions Tutor at Newnham College Cambridge reflects, ‘There isn’t much out there that can beat the combination of Maths and Further Maths A-levels for both breadth and depth.’ 

For the student who is clear about the path they want to follow at university, and is happy to pick the three most relevant subjects, then A-levels represent a straight forward route through 6^th form. Academically rigorous and focused, they are excellent building blocks for a subject-based degree at University.  However, for the student who is less sure about their future then the IB Diploma can allow them to keep their options open, positioning a student well for university in either the UK or the US. Students need to consider their own strengths, interests and abilities before deciding which one offers the most likely path to success.

To discover which curriculum is the best fit for your child, reach out to Carfax Consultants today for expert guidance and personalised advice.