The IB diploma provides a better preparation for:

1. University

• 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.*

2. Life

• With its explicit Learner Profile and core set of values, IB students tend to be more tolerant and
  open-minded, more compassionate and principled.
• The diploma encourages risk-taking and reflection, so that students are more confident and creative, possessing the integrity and the skills to succeed in a global economy.

3. Living

• Having studied both literature and at least one foreign language, IB students are articulate on paper and in person, making them great communicators.
• The emphasis on Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) makes students appreciate the need for a healthy balance of physical and mental activity.

4. Learning

• Intellectually curious, IB students are almost twice as likely as their A-Level and equivalent peers to pursue further full-time study.*
• The 4,000 word Extended Essay composed as part of the diploma and the study of Theory of Knowledge promote independent and critical thinking.

5. Leadership

• IB students are more likely to be employed in graduate level jobs, and enjoy higher salaries than their peers.*
• Literate and numerate, linguistically and scientifically able, IB students are tremendously versatile. Ask any employer, and they will tell you that these are complementary rather than contradictory talents in today’s world.

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

Further Research

by Dr Gerda Frank-Gemmill. Based on 823 IB students who left Sevenoaks School between 2000 and 2007 and graduated from a UK university.

The study 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.