Bac for Good?
New research suggests that UK admissions tutors are looking on the International Baccalaureate (IB) increasingly favourably.
A study carried out on behalf of the qualification's central body indicated that 57 per cent of British further and higher education institutions believe the IB to be preferable to A-levels.
Richard Little of Oxford University's Admissions Centre stated however that the likelihood of receiving an offer having taken the IB is "equal to A-levels". The number of places offered to IB students increases year on year, with 99 offers made in 2002, compared with 79 in 2000.
Supporters highlight IB's system of assignments as especially helpful in preparing students for the time management skills so crucial to university life. They also argue that the IB has not been subject to the accusations of grade inflation directed at A-levels in recent years.
Keble fresher, Alex Shandro, told The OxStu, "I really enjoyed the International Baccalureate. It provides a much more rounded education than A levels".
22nd Jan 2004