International Baccalaureate. (or A-Levels)

In about three weeks I have to put forward my choice for whether I do A-Levels. But at my school, we can do International Baccalaureate.

Wikipedia:

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) is an educational programme examined in one of three languages (English, French or Spanish) and is a leading university entrance course. It is taught in 2,075 schools, often in international schools, in 125 countries all around the world (as of 2007). More than half of the schools offering the Diploma Programme are state funded schools. The programme, administered by the International Baccalaureate Organization, is a recognized pre-university educational programme. Students take six subjects, and must also complete 3 extra requirements: the Theory of Knowledge course (ToK), a 4000-word Extended Essay (EE), and at least 150 hours in CAS (Creativity, Action, Service) areas.

Marks are awarded from 1 to 7 in each subject with 7 being the highest, and up to three additional points may be awarded depending on the results of the EE and ToK essays. The maximum possible point total in the Diploma Programme is 45. In order to receive an International Baccalaureate Diploma, candidates must receive a minimum of 24 points. There are a number of failing conditions which will prevent a student from being awarded a Diploma regardless of the points they received (such as non-completion of CAS, plagiarism, no EE etc). The IBO also requires that the candidate do well fairly well on each individual exam, although these requirements are slightly more lenient if the student has at least 28 total points.

Candidates who successfully pass examinations in two language A1, or one language A1 and one language A2 courses and meet all the other criteria for successful completion of the Diploma Programme are eligible to receive a Bilingual Diploma.

Students who complete individual IB courses and their final exams, but opt out of the full programme (or fail to complete it) do not receive the IB Diploma, but instead receive IB Certificates for each subject. IB Certificates are proof of having taken the exam and of the student's score on it.

You have to study three subjects in Higher, and three in Standard. Higher is the equivalent of an A-level, and Standard is in between a GCSE and an AS level.

But I'm so seriously confused about what to do. I can either do A -Level and study Welsh, German, Psychology and English Lit/Lang, or do IB and study English Literature, German and Psychology in higher, and physics, maths and politics in standard. To get into Cardiff university I need at least AAB in my A levels to get into English Language, and BBB to get into German. I'm really really confused. Help pleeease :)

I don't really understand the ~technological jizz of it all, but I'm in the IB Programme at my school. To be quite honest I hate it alot of the time, but I think that the end result will be worth it.

Thanks :)

My college offers both so I know a bit about them.
If you've got a really broad range of talents then I'd say go for the IB; I'm only really good at languages subjects, so A Levels were the only choice for me because I couldn't stand doing maths and sciences subjects for two more years. But if you've got more specialised interests, A Levels would make sense. Keep in mind also that the IB is an internationally recognised qualification; A Levels aren't as widely recognised.

If you really want to go to Cardiff, then I wouldn't worry about it, they will view both equally. I've got an offer (AAB) to do English Lit and Spanish at Cardiff (though I don't think I'll end up there) so if I can do it then I bet you can. You seem pretty confident on what you want to do at uni and where you want to go, which is great, but if I were in your position I'd only do the IB if I had a special reason for wanting to do your combination.

Yeah I pretty much know what I want to do, but I think I'll apply to more universities, seeing as Cardiff uni is really quite popular, and only accepts really high grades. Well, from what the bloke at the open evening was saying anyway. I've been thinking non-stop about the differences between A-Level and IB, and I've decided on normal A-Levels. Although I have to carry on with Welsh Bac then :)

Ta for the info guys :) And for any others that post advice on here, thanks :) Just so I don't sound like a pleb thanking everyone constantly :)
x

It really depends on the University. I have A-Levels next year and my School doesn't offer IBs. I read about them and they are internationally recognised, so that's useful. However some Universities only look at A-Levels because Standard IBs aren't as difficult as A-Levels. You need to research your desired course at your desired University and see what they want. Sorry I can't really be of much help but my School hasn't given us any information about IBs.
Good luck next year!

Midnight-Sky-Blue:

It really depends on the University. I have A-Levels next year and my School doesn't offer IBs. I read about them and they are internationally recognised, so that's useful. However some Universities only look at A-Levels because Standard IBs aren't as difficult as A-Levels. You need to research your desired course at your desired University and see what they want. Sorry I can't really be of much help but my School hasn't given us any information about IBs.
Good luck next year!

Which universities? Ones outside of the UK?
Because all of the universities in the UK (and in Europe, I assume) will consider the IB. The IB is equal to A Levels.

If you have a careers advisor or someone like that in school then they could be able to help you. It might be wise to also look in to the university and the univeristy course you want and see what would be better for you.

Bloodraine:

Midnight-Sky-Blue:

It really depends on the University. I have A-Levels next year and my School doesn't offer IBs. I read about them and they are internationally recognised, so that's useful. However some Universities only look at A-Levels because Standard IBs aren't as difficult as A-Levels. You need to research your desired course at your desired University and see what they want. Sorry I can't really be of much help but my School hasn't given us any information about IBs.
Good luck next year!

Which universities? Ones outside of the UK?
Because all of the universities in the UK (and in Europe, I assume) will consider the IB. The IB is equal to A Levels.

I know that Universities in the UK may consider IBs but it's just that they generally may prefer A-Levels because they are seemingly more difficult. I really am refering to the 'Russell group' though. It's like Pre-Us. Universities would probably take a student who did a Pre-U in comparison to an A-Level in the same subject. You really must research this though because it differs per course per University because IB and A-Levels will provide different skills.

I know what you're going through, I am in the same position right now.
I'm looking at it this way.
I know what I want to do and I am quite focused on certain subjects and therefore feel A levels would be better for me and getting into the course at Uni I want. I'd rather focus on certain subjects needed for the course than have the broadness of the IB.
However if your still not quite sure on what you want to do, it's probably best to take the IB offering a broader education.
Hope I helped.

Midnight-Sky-Blue:

I know that Universities in the UK may consider IBs but it's just that they generally may prefer A-Levels because they are seemingly more difficult. I really am refering to the 'Russell group' though. It's like Pre-Us. Universities would probably take a student who did a Pre-U in comparison to an A-Level in the same subject. You really must research this though because it differs per course per University because IB and A-Levels will provide different skills.

But the Russell Group really doesn't prefer A Levels to IB. I honestly don't know of any university that discourages IB applicants; certainly none of the ones I've applied to do.
You just need to look at the number of 'elite' independent schools where lots of pupils now take the IB and then progress to top universities.

Pre-U is completely different; it's like the AEA, they're better than A Levels because they show a more advanced learning. IB and A Levels are equal, they're not additional qualifications like Pre-U or AEA.

The IB Programme is ruining my life. Have you heard that there're elementary and middle years programs, too? Are they trying to destroy the children of the world before they ever get a chance to live?

Nobody in our area offers A-levels, so they're kind of confusing to me, but all of the univerities in our area are also required to give kids with IB diplomas at least 24 credit hours, so it all works out fine, anyway.

I don't know, I really hate the IB Programme because I have no life, but I do believe it may pay off in the end when I get into a good college and have to hardly pay any tuition.

If I get in, I should be doing the IB at Colchester Sixth Form. :cute:
It's a really good course but it seems like a lot of hard work.
And a "typical" time table for an IB student sees the day end at something like half 5.

I do A Levels, but know a bit about the other

I was told to go for A Levels becuase I'm not exactly the most motivated, hard working person and I wouldn't have been able to cope other whys :XD

If you're um, more dedicated andm otivated than me I'd say go for it.

Everybody's Fool:

I don't know, I really hate the IB Programme because I have no life, but I do believe it may pay off in the end when I get into a good college and have to hardly pay any tuition.

Same here. I was seriously considering dropping out until my teacher told me that because we're in IB, we get the highest Bright Futures Scholarship (it's a scholarship thing in FL for like FL schools and stuff) which is a fullride to any school in state.
So I decided to stay lol.

At my school we can do it, but I think that when I join 6th Form, we have to do it? Can they make you do it? I'll be joining sixth form Next September...

They can't make you do it, inasmuch as most schools offer IB and A Levels and you can pick between them. If your school only offers IB, then yeah, you haven't got a choice about that, but you could always go to a different place to do A Levels.

I don't think you can do Politics for IB?

I'm really confused aboutw aht to do as well... On one hand, the IB does seem like an interesting and worthwhile course - but on the other hand, people keep saying that it's 'ruining their life' and that there's a lot of work... :S

I'm doing my A-levels at the moment, and they're not as exciting as I was hoping

Buffy-willow:

I don't think you can do Politics for IB?

I'm really confused aboutw aht to do as well... On one hand, the IB does seem like an interesting and worthwhile course - but on the other hand, people keep saying that it's 'ruining their life' and that there's a lot of work... :S

As far as I'm aware, you can.
Maybe it depends on the college..