The British secondary education system includes two years of compulsory pre-university preparation. At the same time, secondary school education can be provided under the A-Level or International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes. Prospective applicants and their parents choose which system to use to prepare for university admission. In both cases, after completing two years of study, graduates are issued documents that allow them to continue their studies at English-speaking universities in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and other countries.
However, there are significant differences in the educational process between IB and A-Level, and foreign universities also have different requirements for exam results for these programmes. Therefore, before applying, it is important to know how these pre-university preparation systems differ.
A-Level programme
The programme is considered the British standard of secondary education. This education system was developed in the United Kingdom. Most applicants applying to universities in this country submit their A-Level certificates and exam results.
Before starting their studies, students must choose at least three subjects from the entire list for in-depth study. The student's personal abilities and future career aspirations are taken into account. For example, students with a talent for the exact sciences choose mathematics, physics and chemistry. Children with a humanities mindset prefer to study languages, etc. There are dozens of subjects to choose from, including economics, psychology, politics, law, sociology, and computer science.
The workload is 20–25 hours per week. Of these, 5–8 hours are allocated to studying English. At the end of the first year, students take the AS exam, after which they receive a certificate. At the end of the second year, students also take an exam (A2). Thus, knowledge is tested in two stages. If necessary, for example, in the event of a move, it is possible to obtain an AS certificate and continue studying at another English-speaking school.
Knowledge is assessed during testing using the following grades: A, B, C, D, E. Grade A is considered the highest grade. English-language universities take exam results into account and set specific admission criteria for applicants.
IB Programme
The IB is an international pre-university bachelor's programme developed in Switzerland. This education system was created to standardise educational processes in different countries. The programme is internationally recognised, and IB diplomas are accepted by leading universities around the world. When studying under the International Baccalaureate system, students must choose six subjects from various fields of science and knowledge. Three subjects are studied at the basic level (150 hours each), and three at the advanced level (240 hours each). The following subject groups are available for selection:
- Native language.
- Foreign language.
- Social sciences (sociology, politics, economics, business, etc.).
- Physics, chemistry, biology (natural sciences).
- Mathematical sciences.
- Additional subject. This could be theatre arts, design, painting, etc.
In addition, students are required to take a course in ‘Theory of Knowledge’ and write an essay on a chosen topic of at least 4,000 words. They also take CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) courses, which include 50 hours of sports training and 50 hours of creative and social work.
At the end of the two-year programme, students take exams and submit their essays for review. Knowledge of each subject is assessed on a 7-point scale. Three additional points may also be awarded for a successfully defended thesis (essay) and for completing projects on ‘Theory of Knowledge.’ To obtain an IB diploma, students must have an overall score of at least 24. The maximum achievable score is 45 points.
A-Level and IB programmes: differences and features
The A-Level system provides in-depth study of a small number of subjects. This programme is chosen by students who have a clear idea of their future career or who have a high aptitude for certain subjects. They study precisely those subjects that are required for admission to a university with a specific educational profile. British universities recognise the results of exams taken under this programme as entrance exams. Universities set a passing score for admission, and students can assess their chances of being admitted to their chosen university immediately after receiving their grades.
The main difference between A-Levels and IB is the number of subjects studied. The extended International Baccalaureate programme allows students to consider a larger number of higher education institutions for admission. The International Baccalaureate diploma is recognised in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and European countries.
At the same time, the IB programme involves a heavy workload, and many students are unable to achieve high results in all subjects. For example, the International Baccalaureate has basic modules that are not included in A-Levels: Theory of Knowledge and CAS courses, and compulsory essay writing. Therefore, when choosing this type of education, young people need to consider their abilities and capabilities. Other differences relate to exams. When studying under the International Baccalaureate programme, the final assessment of knowledge is conducted once, at the end of a two-year course. The A-Levels assessment system involves two tests.
Foreign universities actively enrol graduates with IB diplomas, but often set high admission requirements. In addition, extra attention is paid to the number of points in the main specialisation subjects. Thus, both programmes are suitable for further admission to foreign universities. When choosing an education system, it is important to consider the student's personal abilities and future career plans. For those who plan to continue their studies in the United Kingdom, the classic British programme may be the best choice.
Cambridge International School offers a two-year A-Level programme and provides high-quality pre-university education in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Tashkent. Our graduates successfully pass their exams and enrol in top-ranked English-language universities.
