Ms Katie Cooke, Assistant Head (IB) and Head of History, shares her opinion on why you would choose the IBDP and what makes it the stand out qualification.
Having taught at both International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) and A Level schools over the last two decades, and having completed Scottish “Highers”, I have come to the conclusion that the IBDP programme is the best option for preparing sixth formers, not only for life at university, but for whatever they decide to do in their future careers.
This holistic programme has been offered at Scarborough College since 2006 and requires studying six subjects, three at a lower “standard” level and three at “higher” level. Recognised globally, this allows a breadth and variety of subjects that prepares students for the modern world and the fact that many people now change their careers several times within their working life.
The IBDP has been designed for 16-19 year olds and emphasises critical thinking, research skills and holistic development. It comprises a “core” component, a key element of which is the extended essay. This allows students to undertake an independent research project, based on a personal interest, and is an aspect highly valued by university admissions teams. Within the core there is also Theory of Knowledge (TOK), a subject that involves reflecting on the nature of knowledge and critical thinking, and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) which encourages students to get involved with activities outside the classroom such as community service, sports and creative projects. All these facets ensure a well-rounded education, appreciated by both universities and employers.
Assessment in the IBDP involves a mix of coursework and external exams, graded on a scale of 1 to 7 per subject, with 45 points as the maximum. With subjects having varying percentages of coursework contributing to the final grade, Scarborough College offers a diverse range of over twenty-five subjects (link here to the options blocks for the current Year 11).
This is probably the most commonly asked question about the IBDP, and it’s an important consideration for both students and parents when making the decision between the two. One of the reasons it is so frequently asked is because there is no straightforward answer.
Although more subjects are studied at IB the level of study at HL is certainly no harder than A Levels and a student aiming for high grades at A level will work just as hard as a similar student trying to get high grades at IB. From my experience, it is the ability to be organised and work at a steady pace over the duration of the course that is crucial to success.
They love it! University admissions teams consider it excellent preparation for higher education. Research backs this up too, showing that IB Diploma holders have a higher chance of securing admission to top UK or US universities compared to peers with similar academic credentials. Students who have completed the IB often mention how well they were equipped in terms of research, referencing, and independent study – possibly explaining the significantly lower dropout rates.
These are just a few of the advantages that I believe the IBDP programme gives our sixth formers. If you are considering the IBDP and have any questions about the programme, please do get in touch. To find out more about the IB subjects visit our IB Diploma Programme Subject page.
