A comparison of A Level and IB DP
A Levels
IB DP
Number of
Subjects
Compulsory
elements
A typical programme would be 3 A
levels and 1 AS level
None
Subject
Combinations
Any combination that can be
timetabled, but some are unadvisable
due to coursework commitments.
Subject combinations must be
considered carefully to ensure that you
are prepared for life after Sixth Form.
3 subjects at Higher Level (HL)
3 subjects at Standard Level (SL)
Students must choose a subject in the following
groups: English, Mathematics, Modern Foreign
Languages (MFL), Science (inc. Design Technology),
and Humanities.
TOK Essay 1200 to 1600 words
Extended Essay 4000 words
CAS, over the first 18 months of the course
A subject from each of the 6 groups, so in addition to
those above, students can choose to study art or a
further language, humanities or science.
Maths and Modern Foreign Languages have 2
standard level options, with 1 of these expecting little
or no prior knowledge of the subject.
Teaching time per
week in year 12
Four subjects at 5 periods per subject,
plus potentially 1 tutorial period per
subject.
1 Personal Development period
2 Personal Enrichment periods
Total periods = 23 to 27
4 periods per HL subject plus an extra tutorial every
half term.
3 periods per SL subject
2 Theory of Knowledge periods
1 Personal Development period
CAS & Extended Essay – you will need to meet with
the relevant teachers, but this will not be every week.
Total periods = 24 – 25 periods
Teaching time per
week in year 13
3 subjects at 5 periods per subject, plus
potentially 1 tutorial period per
subject.
1 Personal Development period
1 Personal Enrichment period
Total periods = 17 to 20
Finishing at the beginning of June
Independent Study
Public
Examinations
16 hours per week
Exams in June of both years.
From 2015-16, AS examinations will
not count towards A2, and to get an A
Level, all exams must be taken in June
of year 13.
Proportion depends on subject choice.
4 periods per HL subject plus an extra tutorial every
half term.
3 periods per SL subject
1 Theory of Knowledge period until Spring Half Term.
1 Personal Development period
CAS & Extended Essay – you will need to meet with
the relevant teachers, but this will not be every week.
Total periods = 23 – 24 periods
Finishing at the end of April
15 hours per week
Exams in May of the second year.
Coursework
All subjects have coursework, which varies from 20%
to 100%.
Grades
Individual subjects graded.
Grades A*, A, B, C, D, E, U.
A* is not available for AS qualifications.
Diploma is based on everything done, marked out of
45, with 24 being the pass mark.
Grades for SL & HL: 7 to 1 points per subjects
TOK & Extended Essay give up to 3 points.
th
6 of July
Resits are possible the following November or May.
Coursework does not need to be retaken.
Results Dates
Retakes
A Thursday half way through August.
Resits are possible in June of the
following year.
University
Recognition
Recognised by all UK Universities.
Recognised by all UK Universities and nearly all
Universities world-wide.
Where can I find
out more?
Our prospectus is available on our
website, and contains details of all our
A Level subjects.
Our prospectus is available on our website, and
contains details of all courses offered on the IB DP.
Alternatively, look on
http://www.ibo.org/informationfor/index.cfm