The IB Diploma is recognised by all UK and US universities, and in surveys Admissions Tutors regularly support the claim that the IB provides an excellent – and better – preparation for university and the world of work. Leading universities like the fact that the IB results allow them to discriminate at the top end and that, unlike other qualifications, there has been no grade inflation over the last twenty years.

In 2011 the Higher Education Statistics Agency* conducted research on the relative success rates of IB Students and concluded:

• 19% of IB entrants achieved a first-class honours degree, compared to 14.5% with A-Level or equivalent.
• IB students are almost twice as likely to study medicine and dentistry: 5.1% compared to 2.9% of A-Level

* Research published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) in 2011.
View the full HESA report.

Further research conducted by by Dr Gerda Frank-Gemmill and based on 823 IB students who left Sevenoaks School between 2000 and 2007 and graduated from a UK university, showed that:

• They were significantly more likely to attend top universities when compared with the overall undergraduate population (96% went to Russell/1994 Group vs. 36% of all students and 35% vs. 4 % for the top 5 universities in the Times ranking).
• They were significantly more likely to obtain a ‘good honours degree’ (1st or 2.1) than other undergraduates (88% vs. 51% of all students and 72% of all Russell/1994 Group graduates).
• At Oxford and Cambridge their degree results were markedly better when compared with those of the overall student population. At Cambridge, 94% of Sevenoaks students obtained a First or Upper Second compared to 85% of all students, while at Oxford the figures were 98% and 91%, respectively.

The study firmly supports the view that the IB is an excellent preparation for university.

IB Results at Sevenoaks

Sevenoaks students’ results are among the highest in the world. The maximum diploma score is 45, comprising a maximum 7 points in each of the six subjects, plus a maximum of three combined points for the Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge. The average world-wide score is consistently around 30. Our students’ average diploma score at Sevenoaks, however, is close to 40. Those scoring over 40 points join a genuine international elite, and universities around the world know that these students will provide something special. Several of our students secure a distinguished 45 points each year, a result achieved by only 125 students in the world last year (0.24% percent of the total number of IB Candidates).