IB Diploma vs A Level: how they differ
The IB Diploma is one two-year program of six subjects plus a core; A Levels are two-year qualifications taken subject by subject. Universities publish entry requirements for each, so check the courses you are interested in. The core trade-off is breadth against concentration.
IB Diploma vs A Level at a glance
| IB Diploma | A Level | |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Six subjects (at least three, and no more than four, at Higher Level) plus Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay and CAS | Individual subject qualifications, chosen subject by subject |
| Length | Two-year program | Two years per subject |
| Grading | Each subject 1–7; Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay add up to 3 points; maximum 45 | A Level A*–E; AS Level A–E (a–e at Cambridge) |
| To pass | At least 24 points, CAS completed and every other pass condition met | Each subject is a separate qualification with its own grade |
| Assessment | Assessed by written examinations and internally assessed coursework. | Written examinations, with practical work assessed differently by each board. |
| Set by | International Baccalaureate (IBO) | Cambridge International, Pearson Edexcel, AQA and OCR; papers differ by board |
How to decide
Start from the courses you might apply to and their published requirements for each qualification. Then weigh the shape: the IB keeps six subjects and a core going for two years, with the Diploma awarded on points and pass conditions; A Levels let you concentrate on fewer subjects, each graded on its own, with papers that differ by board.
What differs, and who each may suit
The IB Diploma may suit you if you:
- Want to keep six subjects going, three or four at Higher Level
- Are ready for the core — Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay and CAS — as well as your subjects
- Have not settled on one field yet
- Can take the subjects your target courses require at the level they ask for
A Levels may suit you if you:
- Want to concentrate on fewer subjects
- Already know which subjects your target course requires
- Want each subject graded as a separate qualification
- Are studying with a board whose specification suits you
Frequently asked questions
- Is the IB harder than A Levels?
- They are different shapes. The IB is broader, with six subjects plus Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay and CAS; A Levels go further into fewer subjects. Which feels harder depends on whether you prefer breadth or concentration.
- Do universities accept both?
- Universities publish entry requirements per qualification. Check the course pages of the universities you are interested in for both IB and A Level requirements.
- Which is better for medicine or engineering?
- Neither in itself. What matters is taking the subjects the course requires, at the level it asks for, and meeting its grades.