IB in secondary school - who is it for?

[Kalista018]

I’m trying to understand more about the IB curriculum offered at secondary school. Who is it generally suited for, and why do families choose it?

My son has the option of attending a state secondary school that offers the IB programme. Is the IB suitable for all students, or is it better suited to a particular type of learner?

Also, is the IB fully recognised and compatible with UK university entry requirements?

The IB offer a curriculum for all ages. The pYP is the primary years programme and is their primary level curriculum. Then there is the MYP which is their primary middle years programme. This comes in a couple of possible lengths and variations.

the IB diploma is at sixth form level - year 12 and year 13. They also offer the IBCP careers programme at sixth form level which is more vocational.

uk universities are generally aware of the IB and understand what it means at sixth form level.

the IB diploma requires a broader study than a levels - so you need to study maths, home language, a language and choose from some options.

it’s often considered good for all rounders who don‘r want to make a choice about where to specialise.

the IB is offered at many schools around the world and is often particularly attractive to families where changing countries regularly is part of their life, as students can find another IB school and the curriculum etc are broadly the same rather than changing between state schools when they change countries.

in general it’s offered by private schools but some state schools offer it, usually in locations with lots of international mobility (Dubai, Singapore, China, etc).

The IB is best suited to all-rounders who have good time management skills. Students choose three higher level subjects, three standard level subjects, and also have to complete the Theory of Knowledge requirements, write an extended essay, and fulfil the CAS (creativity, activity and service) hours. Within their subject choices, they have to fulfil certain requirements to cover all the bases - have to do Maths and English, for example, plus some form of science, plus a ‘Language Acquisition’ option.

IB students don’t get much free time in their sixth form timetable, as you can imagine, hence the need for good time management.

UK universities are fine with it, of course: it’s a globally recognised qualification.

Do ask about future plans, though. Some schools are pulling the IB due to funding.

When I say, ‘have to do English’, I mean they have to do a Language A subject which is usually the native language of the country you’re in. Some international students will do a bilingual diploma and take two Language A subjects - they are designed for native speakers of the language as opposed to Language B courses designed for non-native speakers.

@Kalista018
It’s great for students who are all-rounders and have good time management and organisational skills. Those who can grasp technical/ maths type concepts and also take good notes and organise study material.

We are on the continent so mine did a default version of this. It didn’t suit my child who is amazing at STEM, think A level A*s with no bother at all, because he had to combine this with subjects such as History/ Art History/ Philosophy which he was neither particularly good at or interested in.

My other all rounder child did amazing in it.

Previous posts have discussed the academic offer, but the IBP required significant commitments.

Students also have to complete a programme of activities focusing on service, sport and creativity. It’s a little like the DoE award. Students also have to complete an extended essay and a subject called Theory of Knowledge. Students can pick up extra points for these. it’s one of the reasons why the IBP is so time intensive.

I did it at a state school around 32 years ago. Universities were more or less aware of it then. It’s much more well known now. Disappointingly, there isn’t a state school in my area that offers it so neither of my children have had the opportunity to do it.

University professor here. I think it's a brilliant sixth form curriculum. The subject I teach doesn't require maths A-level but needs mathematical skills so it's great to have students who've continued to study maths and science. At the top end it distinguishes really bright students better - a 45 in the IB is a more impressive achievement than 4 A*s at A-level. And it doesn't really sacrifice depth despite being a broader syllabus - IB higher level maths, for example, covers a good chunk of the further maths syllabus.

So great for really able students! Maybe quite challenging for a less able student.

@Kalista018, I’ve posted on other threads, in Oct 2025 the DfE scrapped all funding for IB in state schools from Sept 26. This move was to make up a funding gap, nothing to do with the course or opportunities it gives - nobody knew it was coming. IB costs more to run than A levels because you need more teachers and teaching hours to run IB and the supplement of £2400 per pupil has been pulled. Some schools like Tonbridge Grammar have had to pull their whole 6th form curriculum and move from IB to A levels with less than 12 months notice.If you want IB in a state school you need to ask the school how they will make up the funding gap - they may have reserves to do this whilst they pressurise the DfE to reverse the move.

IB is great but it is very expensive for the school. Every teacher must attend IB training to teach it and it costs about £800 for a residential course plus travel and accommodation as well as loads of other things you have to do to get IBO accreditation. It will therefore only be available at a much higher outlay per pupil especially offered in a sixth form alongside A levels as it will push up staffing costs. It’s great for the right pupils but only for schools that can afford it - larger independent schools basically.

For universities, the IB Diploma is well respected.

IB MYP covers y7-11 in a few international schools in London. The English Curriculum is very knowledge-based, and subjects in silos, and lots of testing/exams. IB is more skills based and reflective with more coursework and fewer exams.

I think it is worth thinking forward - for someone who wants to do science at a UK uni, A-levels are probably better. It might be tough to take GCSEs after doing y7-9 in IB.