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The International Baccalaureate (IB) and Advanced Level (A-level) programs are very popular programs taken by thousands of high school students worldwide. If you are wondering which program is the best option for you, this post is here to guide you on whether universities prefer IB or A-levels so that you can make an informed decision.
Do Universities Prefer IB Or A-levels?
In general, universities do not explicitly have a preference for one program over the other. That being said, IB is usually considered a much more rigorous program as students have to take 6 subjects in addition to completing the DP core which includes Theory of Knowledge (TOK), a 4000-word Extended Essay (EE) and the completion of extracurriculars through Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS). In addition to externally assessed final examinations at the end of the IB program, candidates must also complete and submit internal assessments, including presentations, lab reports, commentaries, coding, etc., depending on the subject. For a detailed explanation of how IB works, please see this post here.
The A-level program is much less demanding, requiring students to complete a minimum of 3 subjects, although some universities may require a minimum of 4. There is also no "A-level core" like the DP Core components. Students are not required to submit any additional essays, lab reports, presentations, volunteering hours, etc. and final grades are based fully on externally-moderated exams at the end of the program.
If you are applying to universities in the UK or other Commonwealth countries that follow a British education system, it might be beneficial to take A-levels. However, you will not be disadvantaged if you take the IB, as it is a well-known rigorous program. If you are unsure which country you want to pursue higher education in, taking the IB might be a better option, as it is usually accepted globally and is especially highly regarded in North American universities.
If you are ready to put in the extra work required for IB, it may be a good choice to show that you are prepared to tackle rigorous courses at university. This can be especially important if you are applying to highly competitive schools that prefer IB, AP or Honours students. However, if you do not plan on going to highly competitive universities or if you do not want to do the additional essays, reports and presentations that are part of the IB program, A-levels may be a good fit for you.
We hope this guide has helped you choose between IB and A-levels. Good luck with your college applications! For more help with IB content, you can browse through our library of IA, EE and TOK exemplars available at Clastify, as well as other guides available on our blog.
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