Families moving across Europe meet two similar-sounding names: the European Baccalaureate and the International Baccalaureate. They are different qualifications, run by different organisations, for different kinds of school. Confusing them is common, and it can lead to a poor choice.
This guide explains each system, what an "accredited" or "authorised" school is, and how to decide between them.
The European Schools
The European Schools are educational institutions set up in the member states of the European Union. They offer multilingual, multicultural education at nursery, primary and secondary levels, follow a common curriculum and award the European Baccalaureate. They were originally created for the children of EU staff, and the system still gives priority in enrolment to those children.
The Office of the Secretary-General of the European Schools lists 14 European Schools, in Belgium (five), Germany (three), Luxembourg (two) and one each in Italy, Spain and the Netherlands, with an entry for Culham in the United Kingdom whose status is shown in brackets. Culham is a case in point: the accredited status of Europa School UK expired on 31 August 2021, because accreditation is limited to schools in EU member states.
The structure follows a primary cycle (P1 to P5, ages 6 to 11) and a secondary cycle (S1 to S7, ages 11 to 18). Pupils are grouped in language sections. They study most subjects in their mother tongue and learn a foreign language through the direct method, in which the target language is used throughout. From the third year of secondary school, history, geography and some other subjects are taught in the pupil's second language.
Accredited European Schools
Since 2005, national schools can receive the title of Accredited European School. The Board of Governors must approve them, and they can then offer the European Schools curriculum and the European Baccalaureate. The Secretary-General's site lists 24 such locations, in countries including Austria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland and Slovenia.
The difference matters. A European School is part of the intergovernmental system and is primarily for the children of EU staff. An accredited school is a national school, public or private, that is authorised to deliver the European curriculum, and it sets its own admissions rules. If you are drawn to the European model, check carefully which of the two you are being offered, and check the admissions rules for your own category of family.
The European Baccalaureate
The European Baccalaureate (EB) is a bilingual secondary-school leaving diploma awarded under the authority of the European Schools. It is taken at the end of the seventh year of secondary education and was first awarded in 1959. The name "European Baccalaureate" belongs solely to the European Schools.
Key features:
- Breadth. Students take at least 10 courses and may take up to 14. Compulsory subjects include the mother tongue, a first foreign language, mathematics, philosophy, a science, history, geography, religion or ethics, and sport, with elective and complementary subjects added.
- Two languages. Students must be highly proficient in two languages and study literature in both.
- Marking. Results are given as a percentage out of 100. The final mark combines 20% coursework from year 7, 30% January written examinations, 15% June oral examinations where applicable and 35% June written examinations.
- Recognition. The EB is an entry qualification for higher education in EU member states and some other countries, and holders can seek admission on the same terms as nationals of the country concerned.
- Pass rate. The pass rate is usually above 98%, partly because weaker students are filtered out earlier through grade-repetition rules.
In 2020 the UK government issued guidance for comparing the EB with A-levels. If a UK university is a possibility, check the current comparison tables and the specific university's published requirements.
The International Baccalaureate
The International Baccalaureate (IB) is run by the International Baccalaureate Organization, a separate body with no link to the European Schools. It offers four programmes:
| Programme | Ages | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Years Programme (PYP) | 3 to 12 | Inquiry-based learning across subjects |
| Middle Years Programme (MYP) | 12 to 16 | Connected subject groups, interdisciplinary learning |
| Diploma Programme (DP) | 16 to 19 | Six subject groups plus a core |
| Career-related Programme (CP) | 16 to 19 | Academic study with career-related learning |
The Diploma Programme has six subject groups: studies in language and literature, language acquisition, individuals and societies, sciences, mathematics, and the arts. Three core components complete it: the Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge, and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS).
Schools must be authorised by the IB to teach its programmes, and only those schools may describe themselves as IB World Schools. A school may be authorised for one programme and not for another, so it is important to ask which. A school that is "inspired by" the IB, or teaches a "similar" curriculum, is not an IB World School.
Comparing the two systems
| European Baccalaureate | IB Diploma | |
|---|---|---|
| Run by | European Schools (Secretary-General) | International Baccalaureate Organization |
| Where offered | 14 European Schools and accredited schools in EU states | Authorised IB World Schools worldwide |
| Admission | Priority rules at European Schools; national rules at accredited schools | School-by-school |
| Format | At least 10 courses, two languages, philosophy | Six subjects plus Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge, CAS |
| Marking | Percentage out of 100 | Subject grades and core points |
| Age range of programme | Nursery to age 18 in one system | Four programmes from age 3 to 19 |
| Best suited to | Families committed to Europe, comfortable with multilingual study | Mobile families seeking portability and wide choice of locations |
Both are broad, demanding and well regarded. The IB is more widely available outside Europe and designed for continuity between countries. The European system is deeply multilingual and more tightly bound to Europe, but it exists in far fewer locations.
Which suits which family?
- Settling long-term in an EU country, with children comfortable in several languages: the European Schools or an accredited school can be an excellent fit, if a place is available and admissions rules permit.
- Likely to move again, possibly outside Europe: the IB's global network and defined programme structure make transfers simpler.
- A child who prefers depth in fewer subjects: neither is ideal; consider A-levels or a national route. Both the EB and the IB are broad by design.
- Strong interest in a UK or North American university: check conversion and entry requirements early. Both qualifications are recognised, but the process differs.
How to check a school's status
For a European School or an accredited school, consult the official site of the Office of the Secretary-General of the European Schools, which lists the schools in each category. For an IB school, use the International Baccalaureate Organization's directory of authorised schools; the IB's own site is the only authoritative source. Ask the school which programmes it is authorised for and when authorisation was last reviewed.
Ask also about results, but in context: pass rates are high at the European Baccalaureate, partly because of earlier filtering, and IB results should be compared with the school's selectivity.
Questions to put to any school
- Which programmes or qualifications do you hold authorisation or accreditation for?
- What proportion of pupils take the full qualification?
- What language sections or language options are available?
- How do pupils who join mid-course catch up?
- Where do leavers go, by country?
Sources
- Office of the Secretary-General of the European Schools: https://www.eursc.eu/en
- Wikipedia, European Baccalaureate (structure, marking, recognition, pass rate, 2020 UK guidance): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Baccalaureate
- Wikipedia, European Schools (enrolment priority, accreditation, Culham): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Schools
- Wikipedia, European School system (cycles, language sections, accreditation since 2005): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_School_system
- Wikipedia, International Baccalaureate (programmes, ages, Diploma structure, authorisation): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Baccalaureate