IB vs A-Level: which curriculum is right for your child?
An honest comparison of the two most-asked-about curricula, including university placement, workload, and what each rewards.
The IB Diploma rewards breadth. Students take six subjects across three core areas, plus an extended essay, theory of knowledge, and 150 hours of CAS. It's a strong fit for students who like writing, are curious across disciplines, and don't yet have a fixed academic identity.
A-Levels reward depth. Three or four subjects studied to near-undergraduate level. Many UK universities are calibrated to A-Level expectations, so for students with a clear specialisation — say, maths and physics into engineering — A-Levels can feel more efficient.
Neither is 'better.' The right choice depends on your child's working style, the universities they're targeting, and the academic culture of the school in question.
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