Studying the International Baccalaureate (IB) in the UK

The International Baccalaureate

The IB program known as the International Baccalaureate (IB) is becoming increasingly popular.
It is a modern program, “of the future” and has great prestige among the best universities in the world.
All British, American and Spanish higher education institutions recognize it as a pathway to university.
A high score in the program’s courses can lead to university credits, scholarships and other advantages related to university access.

‘The IB has been recognized in the way it challenges students.
Students develop critical thinking in a global context. The capabilities they acquire in research along with the skills they develop during the program are second to none.
All of this is worked through a ‘disruptive’ methodology in which a variety of subjects are offered to choose from across six thematic areas, as well as three core components that we will explain in this article.

1. History

It was founded in 1968 in Switzerland.
Today there are more than 4,000 schools worldwide that offer IB as part of their curricula.
Between 2016 and 2020, the number of IB programs offered in schools has increased by 33%.
It is possible to study in English, French and Spanish.

What is the International Baccalaureate?

The IB is not only an educational program.
It aims to enhance the knowledge and development of its students during the program and consists of two years of training.
Students study the content of the program from an international perspective.
During the course, students are required to study 6 subjects: 3 ‘higher level’ and 3 ‘intermediate level’ subjects . The difference between taking an upper-level or middle-level course lies in the number of hours devoted to each: 150 hours of instruction in the middle-level courses and 240 hours of instruction for the upper-level courses.
To ensure a comprehensive education, students should choose subjects from the following subject areas ( however, each school may offer a wide variety of different subjects in each subject area and not all schools may offer the same subjects.
This is very important to keep in mind when analyzing different IBs from different schools).
The subject areas of the IB program are as follows:

Studies in language and literature: you normally choose your native language, although you can choose between 80 different languages.
Language acquisition: an additional language
Individuals and societies: geography, history, economics, business, philosophy and sociology.
Science: physics, chemistry, biology, design technology, social and environmental systems
Mathematics: 4 mathematics courses are available according to the student’s needs, interests and abilities.
Arts: music, film, visual arts, dance, foreign language and theater.

In addition to these six subject areas, there are three core components that aim to broaden students’ educational experience and challenge them to apply their knowledge and skills:

Theory of knowledge (TOK): students are offered the opportunity to reflect on the nature of knowledge and how we know what we claim to know.
The monograph: this is an independent, student-directed research project, which ends with a 4,000-word essay on a topic of interest to the student.
Creativity, Action, Service (CAS): 7 learning objectives must be met throughout the program.
For example, students participate in a variety of activities such as sports, volunteering, helping the community or any artistic discipline that involves creative thinking.
This is intended to get the student to reflect on their experience and show evidence of having achieved the 7 learning outcomes (e.g. blog, video, photos, report, etc.).

3. International Baccalaureate Grading System

The program is evaluated by points.
There is a maximum of 45 points.
Each subject is awarded between 1 and 7 points and 3 points are awarded for the 3 core components: CAS, the monograph and TOK.
Of the 150,000 IB students who take the course each year, only 146 received 45 points.
The average score is 30.07.
To pass, students must receive a minimum score of 24 points, or an average of 4(C) points in all 6 subjects.
The overall passing rate is 80%.

4. BI Program: The Benefits

The benefits for the student are numerous, the most important of which are the following:

Possibility of direct admission to prestigious universities worldwide
International vision
Stimulation of critical thinking
Encouragement of the student’s research skills
Helps the student to grow physically, intellectually, emotionally and ethically.
Autonomy: they direct their own learning
Development of the student’s maturity: the student has to think independently, become more culturally aware and organize his or her time efficiently.

5. Studying the International Baccalaureate in the UK and going to university Studying the International Baccalaureate at an elite boarding school in the UK is undoubtedly a very interesting option on the academic and personal level for the student and is a truly unique experience for a multitude of reasons.
Not only is the quality of the teaching incredible, but also the student benefits from smaller class sizes, which allows them to take a very active role in the class and in their learning.
The multitasking required for the program comes naturally to a boarding school student as they have a constant flow of activities, classes and extra-curriculars and adapt to what is required very quickly.
The IB program also dovetails with other parts of your boarding school life.
For example, the CAS section of the diploma can include extra-curricular activities, sports or the Duke of Edinburgh program offered by the school to name a few.

A score of 38 points in the IB Diploma is equivalent to five As in the A-level system.
An IB score of 31 points is equivalent to three As and a B at A-level sufficient to obtain a place at most universities around the world.
The UK Universities Admissions Service (UCAS) currently places a higher value on IB qualifications than on A-levels.

6. Studying IB in Spain

Access requirement: students who have obtained the International Baccalaureate Diploma do not need to take the university entrance exams (Selectividad or EvAU), as their Diploma score is validated by a conversion table: 24 points equals a 5 and from 42 to 45 points equals 10 points.
University entrance exams: the maximum grade for access to Spanish universities is 14 points, and the maximum grade for international baccalaureate homologation is 10 points.
Specific phase of the university entrance exam: in order to obtain the remaining 4 points, each faculty of each university may choose the subjects that will allow students to obtain the 4 additional points.
In this way the student will be able to reach a maximum of 14 points.

Another way to get the 4 points, would be to take two exams at the UNED of the subjects you want to take as specific.
These are the so-called tests of specific competences, the exam is in the month of May, so the registration for these subjects must be done well in advance.
IB students should also inform themselves about the different specificities of each university, since some of them, in recognition of the high value of the IB degree, have established an exclusive admissions pathway for these students.
To give official Spanish format to the international baccalaureate grade, it is necessary to apply for it through the UNED. Upon payment of the fees and delivery of the IB diploma with the grade obtained.