A Brief Overview of the Main Pros & Cons of the IB Program
The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a well-known and highly recognised qualification around the world. It’s arguably more well-known in mainland Europe than it is in the United Kingdom.
This could significantly improve your university and professional prospects, but do the benefits of IB program benefits apply to everyone? To assist you in making a decision, we have outlined the pros and cons.
Pros
1. Subject Variation
You will study a variety of courses with an IB Program, including languages, sciences, mathematics, and the arts. This will help you acquire a broader range of skills than if you were studying science A-levels such as physics, biology, and chemistry, or art A-levels such as history, music, and sociology.
If you wish to study Business, Economics, Politics, or other related degrees, this wide brush approach will be welcomed with open arms by colleges because it demonstrates your capacity to learn across a variety of areas.
Many people interested in going to university are unsure of what they want to learn and study. An IB can be a wonderful answer in this scenario because the large range of disciplines covered can provide additional possibilities to pick from.
2. Broaden your horizons
The IB program is widely accepted and more easily understood than A-levels. Whether you’re in the public school system or attending an independent school or college, it’s important to analyse the subjects offered by your school’s IB course and compare them to the A-level subjects available. Because not all schools in the UK offer the complete range of IB subjects, your options may be limited.
3. Gain well-rounded skills
In contrast to A-levels, the IB’s required units will help you improve your verbal and written communication skills. You’ll participate in debates, conduct research and analysis, and write lengthy and detailed essays.
All of these abilities are important components of university education and are very appealing to employers while looking for work. A significant benefit to have at the outset of your university career.
Cons
1. Workload
If the subjects are as diverse as they should be, you must also examine the amount of effort and study time required. Based on a brief comparison, the maximum number of points you may earn with an IB program is 45.
This is equivalent to 6 A-Levels at A grade, according to UCAS, and you’re probably aware from your friends and siblings how much work, effort, and devotion it takes to achieve 3 to 4 A-levels at A grade, never mind 6. But don’t worry, you may always seek to IB online tutoring or 1-on-1 tutoring for help, whichever suits you best. It is advisable to choose the best platform for online tutoring.
2. Reduced flexibility
Even with so many subject options, the IB course offers less flexibility due to the required breadth of study.
The IB course is a strict curriculum with a six-subject allocation distributed among six categories, or five if the arts category is skipped, which is about as flexible as it gets. You can “double-dip” in another category if you don’t take an arts course, but you can’t triple-dip.
Furthermore, the number of disciplines offered is determined by your school’s offerings, so there may not be many options in the end.
An IB Program is not for everyone, but for those who accept the challenge, the benefits at university and in terms of future job possibilities can be enormous.
