IB vs A level choice looking forward to uni

[Patchworkpony]

Hi, I’m putting this on here rather than secondary education as I’m interested to hear views from those who have already been through 6th form / uni applications.

Eldest DC did IB last year, strong academically and at a top uni. Younger DC in middle of GCSEs and 6th form only offers IB so needs to move if A levels chosen instead. So I have experience of IB but not A levels and worry that the relentless workload and stress of IB is making me view A levels with rose tinted glasses! I know A levels are a huge step up from GCSEs, but am I wrong to think that there is slightly more scope for school/life balance and a more relaxed 6th form experience?

My younger DC would prefer to focus on a smalller number of subjects and wants to drop English and maths so is definitely considering the options. Much as I love the IB curriculum, I am also aware of the huge disparity in IB vs A level offers between universities with some of the top ones not really acknowledging the workload and actually making higher IB offers. The IB is pitched as being more challenging, equivalent UCAS points (which unis don’t use) are much higher, but I don’t think that this translates into much advantage in reality?

Any views appreciated, especially if any parents have actually experienced both approaches with their DC?

DS did IB, while DD did A levels. Both pretty academic kids and, in fairness could probs have done either, but had to make a decision and that was it!
In reality, DD prob the more well rounded from an Acadia point of view - would’ve found the English and foreign language requirement of IB way easier than DS who had to slog those elements a bit!
DS was offered 38 points by his uni of choice, DD A* A A. He said he’d rather have his offer than hers cos it was more flexible. His comment - definitely not mine!

As with everything in life - pros and cons with both!

Both of them worked really hard, but still had time for a 6th form social life.
One went on to Exeter uni, one to Nottingham - so both decent unis (if that floats your boat!)

Thanks @blametheparents , so you saw no real difference in workload?

@blametheparents I don't know how long ago this happened with your kids but Exeter ranks #14 while Nottingham ranks #30. They are not equal institutions I don't think, at all.

In the grand scheme of things , they are both Russell Group unis and I think most people would think they were pretty similar.
Those ratings vary so much in what they measure, and are not a great tool, imo.

As it happens, DS graduated two years ago, and DD is finishing her 2nd year - so both pretty current examples.

In honesty, I would say that DS prob did have more workload (IB), but he didn’t find it unmanageable. But then, every young person is different. He still seemed to manage to play sport 3 or 4 days per week, and had a pub job from the January of year 13 (albeit very limited hours until exams had finished).
His main group of friends was from school, and I guess they were all in the same boat, so perhaps he just didn’t know any different!

Cardiff is Russell Group and so is LSE but I'd never compare them or see these universities remotely as equals, for any subject. I think similarly of Exeter versus Nottingham, but as a less extreme example.

For those in the know it is really about subject rankings. The university ranking is largely a subject ranking aggregate, so Exeter is likely to have more higher ranked subject areas.

But Notts rates higher in a number of areas. It is sometimes the UK #1 in Vet Medicine, a highly competitive field, and there are plenty of other less dramatic examples.

100%

Also, there is no way that all employers know this level of detail either.

Few employers would discriminate between Exeter and Nottingham. They are pretty similar in many ways. Lse is obviously different in that they are a specialist university in many ways. As is Imperial. However for most students and employers it’s what you can do that matters, not the small variations in league tables. Dc in my small village have gone to Exeter and Nottingham. All have jobs. Ditto dc friends from school.

My DD sat the IB last year and it was a lot of work and planning . She got a 32 which she was very disappointed with. She didn’t apply to university last year and is taking a gap year. She has been accepted into Bristol to do geography. I think what made the difference was she got a 7 in her geography and environmental science. Both subjects very relevant to her course. Her extended essay was also geography based.
I suspect that once you have got your IB results, university’s may look at the individual scores in relevant subjects rather than overall score.
DD hated GCSE maths but really enjoyed IB maths, which if she wasn’t doing IB would have definitely been dropped.

If an employer is just looking for a graduate, there are a a lot of UK universities that tick boxes. But, as @poetryandwine says, subject rankings are very much a thing in disciplines where subject knowledge/professional preparation (with eg accredited degrees) is important for the job.

@Ceramiq They are mostly science degrees that are accredited, eg engineering, chemistry etc. Most employers would not remotely care if a history grad had been to Exeter or Nottingham. Even in fields like Engineering university doesn’t matter that much! Competences matter more and many in the top 50 would deliver on that.