A Levels vs IB – Your Child's Future Deserves the Right Choice

At Britannica, we have always believed in providing our students with the most effective pathway to success. Year after year, our students excel in A Levels, a qualification widely regarded as the gold standard by British universities. Their achievements speak volumes about the depth and rigour of this curriculum, and we are proud to guide them toward the best possible future.

It is now being widely recognised that A Levels give students the opportunity to study subjects in far greater depth than those that study an IB programme. 
Without the constant pressure..

• In our changing times, many IB schools are considering changing their curriculum to move it closer to A Levels, due to the pressure students feel having to study IB and how they are struggling to cope with the ‘points’ pressure they are under.

The IB requires students, at a crucial stage in their educational journey, as they prepare for careers and university, to spend time studying subjects that they don’t really have any interest in, or any desire to study, in order to achieve a points score and a comparison with a massive number of global competitors, reducing their chances of reaching the very best universities.

• In contrast, A Levels empower students to dive deep into subjects they are passionate about, fostering mastery and confidence. This focused approach not only enhances academic performance, but also aligns perfectly with the expectations of top higher institutions and employers.

As a result, the UK curriculum body has, this week, decided to make some changes due to the lack of interest in IB. Currently, only 22 UK state schools offer the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP), showing their lack of relevance to modern learners and UK funding for it will end after 2026–27.

• The TREND is clear: The UK government says it will redirect funds toward A Level subjects tied to economic growth and academic progress.

The IB bubble has burst.

The future belongs to A Levels—and at Britannica International School, we are committed to ensuring our students stay ahead.