UK Education Guide
IB Diploma and A-levels compared
How the two main sixth-form qualifications are built: subjects, length, core elements and grading, side by side. Structure only, with no ranking of one over the other.
← All guidesLast checked: Oct 2026
Most students in the UK take one of two routes in the final two years of school, usually from about age 16 to 18 or 19: A-levels or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. This page sets out how each is organised, so you can ask better questions of a school.
What each one is
A-levels
A-levels are single-subject qualifications. A student usually chooses three subjects and studies them for two years, normally finishing at around age 18. They are set by exam boards such as AQA, Pearson Edexcel and OCR, within rules from the regulator Ofqual.
IB Diploma Programme
The IB Diploma Programme is a single two-year programme for students aged 16 to 19, run by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO). Students take six subjects, three at Higher Level (HL) and three at Standard Level (SL), plus three core elements.
Structure side by side
| Structure side by side | A-levels | IB Diploma |
|---|---|---|
| Length | Two years | Two years |
| Typical age | About 16 to 18 | Ages 16 to 19 |
| Number of subjects | Typically three | Six: three Higher Level and three Standard Level, from six subject groups |
| Core elements | None required | Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay, and CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) |
| Grading | A* to E, per subject | One overall result, maximum 45 points |
| Set by | Exam boards (AQA, Pearson Edexcel, OCR), regulated by Ofqual | International Baccalaureate Organization |
A summary of the published structure. Individual schools may organise timetables and options differently.
How each is graded
A-levels
A-levels are graded per subject, from A* (highest) down to E. Each subject receives its own grade, and a student's results are the set of grades across their subjects. UCAS, the university application service, has a tariff that converts qualifications into points; check UCAS directly for current values.
IB Diploma Programme
The IB Diploma is awarded as one overall result with a maximum of 45 points. The overall result is built from the six subjects and the core elements together, rather than from each subject standing alone.
Who offers each in the UK
A-levels are the usual route in state sixth forms and sixth-form colleges, and are also widely offered by independent schools.
The IB Diploma is offered by some independent schools and some international schools, and by some state schools and colleges. It is not available everywhere, so check with each school.
What a family in Hong Kong or Chiang Mai should ask a school
- Which of the two qualifications do you offer in the sixth form, and are both available to a new student joining at age 16?
- Which subjects and combinations are available, and what are the entry requirements for the chosen route, given my child's current curriculum?
- How does the school support the core elements of the IB (Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay, CAS), or the subject choices for A-levels?
- Can the school tell us how its sixth-form students apply to the universities we are considering, and who advises on that?
- For an overseas student, what are the start dates, boarding arrangements and any assessment before a place is offered?
Related pages
Sources
- International Baccalaureate: Diploma Programme (ibo.org)
- GOV.UK: Ofqual, the qualifications regulator
- AQA: A-levels
- Pearson Edexcel: A-levels
- OCR: A-levels
- UCAS: tariff points
Last checked: Oct 2026
This guide is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Rules, fees and dates change: always check the official source (GOV.UK, the exam board or the school), or ask us.
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