Is IB Harder Than A Levels?

Year 11 is nearly over, and you’re looking ahead to the next stage. You might be asking yourself, is IB harder than A Levels?

Some schools allow you to choose which option you take, in which case you’ll be deliberating. Others only offer one option. 

Either way, you've probably heard rumours along the lines of "The IB is so much harder!" "A Levels are way more stressful!" But what's actually true?

I’m going to cut through the noise and give you the facts so that you can make an informed decision for yourself. 

Key Takeaways

• Workload: The IB usually involves more work than A Levels because you study six subjects plus three core components, compared with three A Level subjects.

• Difficulty: “Harder” depends on your strengths — IB requires you to be competent across a broad range, while A Levels demand greater depth and strong final exam performance.

• Assessment: A Levels rely mainly on final exams; IB uses continuous assessment plus final exams, which can suit different learning styles.

• Recognition: Both are equally respected by UK universities; the IB can have a slight advantage for international applications.

IB vs A Levels: What's the Difference?

First things first – let's make sure you know exactly what you're comparing.

A Levels are the traditional UK qualification. You pick three or four subjects and study them in depth for two years. Think of it as becoming a specialist in your favourite areas.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) is different. You study six subjects plus complete three core components: Extended Essay (opens in a new tab), Theory of Knowledge (opens in a new tab), and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) (opens in a new tab).

A Levels are offered in most UK schools and colleges. The IB is less common – you'll mainly find it in independent schools or international schools.

Here's the key difference: A Levels let you narrow your focus, while the IB allows you to keep more breadth.

Does IB Have a Bigger Workload Than A Levels?

The short answer is, yes, the IB typically involves more work.

For IB, you're juggling six subjects instead of three or four, plus those three core components I mentioned. That's a lot to handle.

The IB also has many internal assessments – essentially, coursework that counts towards your final grade. You'll be writing essays, conducting experiments, and creating projects through the two years.

A Levels give you more breathing room. You can focus your energy on three or four subjects and usually have fewer assignments during the year.

This might sound like quite an imbalance, but some students much prefer the IB's steady workload. Rather than cramming everything into final exams, you're assessed continuously. You don’t need to worry about the exams approaching quite so much. 

Which One Is Academically Harder?

This is where it gets personal: whether A Levels or IB is "harder" depends on what kind of learner you are.

The IB can feel harder because:

• You can't drop subjects you're not so good at

• Everyone must study Maths and a language (even if you're terrible at them!)

Imagine you're brilliant at Science but struggle with languages. With A Levels, you could focus on Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Problem solved!

With the IB, you'd still have to study a language and probably some humanities too. That can feel overwhelming.

A Levels can feel harder because:

• You go much deeper into each subject

• The final exams carry more weight, so there's less room for error

According to UCAS (opens in a new tab), both qualifications are considered equally rigorous by UK universities.

How Are A Levels and IB Assessed?

Another matter of personal preference here: the way you're tested can make a huge difference to how "hard" something feels.

A Levels rely heavily on final exams. You might have some coursework, but most of your grade comes from those summer exams. So, if you're great under pressure and love exams, this could suit you perfectly.

The IB spreads assessment throughout the two years. You'll have:

• Internal assessments (like coursework)

• Extended Essay (a 4,000-word research project)

• Oral presentations

• Final exams

Some students love this variety. Others find it stressful to have assessments constantly hanging over them.

If you're someone who struggles with exam nerves but excels at coursework, the IB might feel easier. If you prefer to focus on learning first and testing later, A Levels might be your thing.

What About University and Career Prospects?

The good news is that both qualifications are excellent preparation for university applications.

UK universities accept both equally. They understand the different grading systems and have clear entry requirements for each. 

There may be some differences to be aware of. Using data from the UK Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) (opens in a new tab), the IB Research Department has found that IB students are more likely to enrol at a top 20 UK university (opens in a new tab) and are more likely to pursue further study after undergraduate level, even after matching for academic ability.

International universities sometimes have a preference for the IB because it's more internationally recognised. If you're thinking about studying abroad, the IB might give you a small advantage.

For career prospects, both are respected. What matters more is what you study and how well you do, not which system you choose.

Pros and Cons of IB vs A Levels

Let's break this down simply:

IB Pros:

• You become intellectually well-rounded (great for personal development)

• Internationally recognised (helpful if you want to study abroad)

• Develops time management and research skills

• Less pressure on final exams

IB Cons:

• Heavy workload can be overwhelming

• No choice to drop weak subjects

• Fewer schools offer it

• Can feel like you're spreading yourself too thin during the year

A Level Pros:

• You can focus on your strengths

• More time to explore subjects in depth

• Widely available

• More flexible schedule

A Level Cons:

• Less well-rounded education

• Heavy reliance on final exams

• Harder to change direction if you're unsure about career plans

• Limited international recognition

Which Is Right for You?

Still not sure? Ask yourself these questions:

Do you love variety or prefer to specialise? If you get bored easily and love learning about everything, the IB might suit you. If you have clear passions and want to dive deep, consider A Levels.

How do you handle workload? The IB requires excellent time management. If you've already been struggling to keep up with your GCSEs, think carefully.

What are your university plans? Want to study abroad? The IB might help. Staying in the UK? Both are equally good.

How do you prefer to be assessed? Love writing essays and doing projects? The IB's varied assessment might appeal. Prefer to learn first and test later? A Levels might suit you better.

Remember, neither path is really "better." But they are different. The best choice is the one that matches your strengths, interests, and goals. 

I have tutored students doing both types of course who, even after initial struggles, really got into the swing of their course and went on to succeed. Even if your course doesn’t seem to suit you at first, just give yourself some settling in time and you’ll most likely get the hang of it. . 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the IB more stressful than A Levels?

It can be, mainly due to the heavier workload and constant assessment. However, some students find A Levels more stressful because so much depends on final exams. It really depends on how you handle pressure.

Do universities prefer IB or A Levels?

UK universities have no explicit preference, but more IB students go to top 20 UK universities. Some international universities are more familiar with the IB, which might give an edge in overseas applications.

Can I switch from IB to A Levels if I struggle?

This is tricky and depends on your school. Some allow transfers, but you might lose time or credits. It's better to choose carefully from the start rather than plan to switch.

Is it harder to get top grades in the IB?

The grading systems are different, so it's hard to compare directly. Both require hard work and dedication to achieve top marks. What matters is finding the system that plays to your strengths.

The Bottom Line

So, is the IB harder than A Levels? In terms of workload and time management, yes – the IB typically demands more.

But "harder" isn't the same as "worse." Some students thrive under the IB's structure. Others bloom when they can focus on their A Level subjects.

The key is knowing yourself. Are you someone who loves variety and can handle a busy schedule? The IB might be perfect. Do you prefer to specialise and go deep? A Levels could be right for you.

Either way, you'll get an excellent education that opens doors to university and beyond. I have had students who have thrived in both, even if they didn’t choose one for themselves. 

So, embrace whichever route you take fully!

References

• Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) (opens in a new tab)

• IBO (opens in a new tab) 

• UK Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) (opens in a new tab)

• IBO Higher Education Performance Executive Summary 2021 (opens in a new tab)

• IBO Higher Education Performance Research Summary 2021 (opens in a new tab)