Choosing a qualification at 16 is one of the more consequential decisions in a child's schooling, and it is often made while a family is also deciding where to live. The three broad options are the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, A-Levels and the national diploma of the country where the child studies. None is better in the abstract. The right choice depends on how your child learns, where they are likely to go to university and how long you expect to stay in one place.
The IB Diploma in brief
The IB Diploma Programme is a two-year course, mainly for students aged 16 to 19, offered in more than 140 countries. The structure is the same everywhere.
- Students take six subjects, normally one from each of six groups: studies in language and literature, language acquisition, individuals and societies, experimental sciences, mathematics, and the arts. The arts subject can be replaced by a second subject from the other groups.
- Three or four subjects are taken at Higher Level, the rest at Standard Level.
- Each subject is scored from 1 to 7. Up to three bonus points are awarded for the Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge, so the maximum is 45.
- The diploma requires at least 24 points, along with completion of the core: the Extended Essay (up to 4,000 words), Theory of Knowledge and the Creativity, Activity, Service programme.
Assessment combines external examinations with internal assessment, which accounts for between 20 and 50 per cent of each subject mark. The pass rate reported for the May 2025 session was 81.9 per cent. The IB's own publications are the primary source for these figures, and the description here draws on a secondary summary of them.
Because the programme is standardised, a student can move between IB schools in different countries and continue the same course, which is a strong argument for globally mobile families.
A-Levels in brief
A-Levels are the standard sixth-form qualification in England, taken in Years 12 and 13 after GCSEs. Students typically study a small number of subjects in depth rather than a broad range. The government classes both A-Levels and the IB Diploma as Level 3 qualifications.
The attraction of A-Levels is focus. A student who knows they want to study medicine, engineering or law can concentrate on relevant subjects early. The cost of that focus is narrowness: a student who chooses three or fewer subjects at 16 may close off options that the IB keeps open.
Many international schools outside the UK also offer A-Levels, usually alongside IGCSEs earlier on. Whether these are the best choice depends on the school's experience with the exam boards and on its results.
National diplomas
Each country's own school-leaving diploma has its own character. A few examples show how different they are.
| Country | Typical qualification | Where it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | Allgemeine Hochschulreife (Abitur) | Entry to German universities |
| France | Baccalauréat, at the end of the three-year lycée | Required for higher studies in France |
| Italy | Final exam of upper secondary school (five-year courses) | Access to tertiary education |
| Spain | Bachillerato, 2 years, ages 16 to 18 | Route to university in Spain |
| Switzerland | Gymnasiale Maturität (Matura) | Access to Swiss universities |
The Eurydice country descriptions confirm that each of these diplomas gives access to higher education in its own country. They are rigorous and, within their home systems, the natural choice. Their weaknesses for internationally mobile families are practical. They are taught in the national language, they depend on knowing the local system, and they can be harder to carry from one country to another.
A national diploma makes the most sense if your child has been educated in that system, speaks the language fluently and expects to study in that country. A family that has moved and expects to move again is usually better served by an international qualification.
How to choose
Start from the university destination
Where does your child want to study? Universities in the UK are familiar with A-Levels and the IB. Universities in continental Europe generally recognise the IB, and may recognise A-Levels subject to their own requirements. Entry to a country's universities with a foreign qualification can carry extra conditions, such as language tests or subject requirements, so check the admissions pages of the specific universities. This guide cannot state those rules for every institution.
Consider the child
- Breadth or depth? The IB suits students who enjoy a wide range and are happy to keep mathematics, a second language and writing going until 18. A-Levels suit students who have already found their strengths.
- Workload. The IB's core requirements add to an already full timetable. Some students thrive on that structure, while others find it relentless.
- Independence. The Extended Essay rewards self-directed research, while A-Levels reward mastery of a defined syllabus.
Consider mobility
If you may move countries during the two years of upper secondary school, the IB's uniform structure helps. Changing between A-Level boards or between national systems mid-course is harder. If a move is likely, ask schools how they handle pupils who join in the middle of a programme.
Consider the school, not only the programme
A strong school teaching A-Levels can serve a child better than a weak school teaching the IB, and the reverse is equally true. Ask for results in context. Look at how many pupils start the diploma and how many complete it, the range of subjects offered at Higher Level or A-Level, and the quality of university counselling.
Questions to ask a school
- How many students join the programme, and how many complete it?
- Which subjects are offered, and how often do timetable clashes limit choice?
- How does the school support students who arrive part way through?
- Where have recent graduates gone to university?
- How does the school advise on foreign applications, such as UK or US admission processes?
A note on cost
Qualification choice affects cost indirectly. International programmes are usually offered by private schools, and exam entry fees, coursework materials and tutoring can add to the annual bill. The separate guide to the real cost of private school covers how to ask for a full breakdown.
Sources
- Wikipedia: IB Diploma Programme (secondary summary of IBO documents; the IBO site was not accessible when this guide was prepared)
- GOV.UK: What the different qualification levels mean
- GOV.UK: National curriculum
- Eurydice: Germany, overview
- Eurydice: France, overview
- Eurydice: Italy, overview
- Eurydice: Spain, overview
- Eurydice: Switzerland, overview