The IB diploma and A-levels are the two most common programmes for the final two years of secondary school at British and Swiss boarding schools. They differ in the number of subjects, the grading approach and the way students are expected to learn. The choice affects how your child will spend those two years and how their university application will look.
- A-levels means 3-4 subjects that the student chooses freely, with a focus on depth in those areas. It suits students who already know what they want to study.
- The IB diploma requires 6 subjects from different subject groups, plus additional core components (research, an essay, activities). It builds a broader profile and more university options.
- A-levels are graded mainly through exams at the end of the course, with grades from A* to E.
- IB grades run from 1 to 7 per subject, with a maximum of 45 points overall and a pass mark of 24 points.
- Both qualifications are recognised by universities in the UK, the US and Europe, but the IB has wider global recognition.
What A-levels are
A-levels (Advanced Levels) is a British programme that runs for two years. Students choose three or four subjects and go deep into them. At the end, exams determine the final grades, from A* (the highest) to E (a pass).
The advantage of the A-levels system is freedom of choice. A child can take only the subjects that interest them, with no obligation to cover other areas. If they want to study medicine, they take chemistry, biology and maths. If they want economics, they take maths, economics and perhaps history.
This suits students who already have clear interests and know which direction they want to head in.
What the IB diploma is
The IB diploma (International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme) is an international programme that also runs for two years, but has a different structure.
Students must choose six subjects from six different groups: first language, foreign language, social sciences, natural sciences, mathematics and the arts (or an additional subject from another group instead of the arts). Three subjects are taken at Higher Level, three at Standard Level.
Alongside the subjects, the IB has a mandatory core made up of three components. Theory of Knowledge (TOK) is a course on critical thinking. The Extended Essay is a 4,000-word research paper on a topic of the student's choice. Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) requires participation in extracurricular activities.
The maximum score is 45 points (up to 7 from each subject, plus up to 3 bonus points from the core). The pass mark is 24 points.
Number of subjects and flexibility
The key difference is breadth versus depth.
A-levels gives complete freedom. A child can take three subjects from the same area (for example, maths, physics and computer science) and doesn't need to touch anything else. This is an advantage if they have clear weaknesses in areas they'd rather avoid.
The IB requires balance. A child must have a subject from every group, which means they can't fully avoid, say, the natural sciences even if they're humanities-oriented. The only flexibility is swapping the arts for an additional subject from another group.
For children with pronounced weaknesses in certain areas, this can be a sign to be cautious with the IB.
We look at how a child functions in subjects that aren't their favourites. If, in earlier years, they completely neglect subjects that don't interest them and have sharply uneven grades, A-levels is often the better choice because it lets them focus. On the other hand, a child with solid grades across the board, even in a subject they don't particularly enjoy, usually copes well with the IB structure. We also pay attention to how they manage time when juggling several tasks at once, since that is the strongest predictor of success in the IB programme.
Workload
The IB carries a heavier overall workload because of the six subjects plus the core. The Extended Essay and CAS require extra time outside lessons. Grading is a combination of exams, internal assessments and essays across both years.
A-levels has fewer subjects and fewer ongoing obligations. Most of the grade depends on exams at the end of the course. For a child who performs well under exam pressure, this can be the easier path.
The average IB score globally is around 30-32 points, which roughly corresponds to three A grades at A-level.
Which is harder: IB or A-levels
In short: the IB is harder in scope, A-levels is harder in depth.
The IB requires more overall work because you have six subjects plus three additional components. You have to manage several obligations at once: lessons, internal assessments, the Extended Essay, CAS activities. Students who have gone through the IB often say the programme taught them to juggle responsibilities, which served them well at university.
A-levels is harder in terms of depth of material. With only three or four subjects, you're expected to know the material thoroughly. The final exams are demanding and there's no "average" to cushion you. If you fail one subject, that's a third of your qualification.
For a child who copes well with pressure and can focus deeply on fewer things, A-levels can be the easier path. For a child who enjoys variety and organises their time well, the IB can feel more natural.
There is no objectively harder programme. There is a programme that suits your child's way of learning more or less well.
University recognition
Universities in the United Kingdom recognise both qualifications. Many British universities traditionally favour A-levels because they know the system better, but all of them accept the IB without issue. A typical requirement is 36-38 points on the IB or AAA at A-level for competitive courses.
For American universities, the IB has a certain edge because it demonstrates breadth and independent research (the Extended Essay). Many American universities award credit for Higher Level subjects graded 5 or above.
For universities in Europe (outside the UK), the IB is often better known and more easily recognised than A-levels.
If your child is targeting the UK exclusively, both programmes work equally well. If they're considering the US or continental Europe, the IB offers greater flexibility.
We once worked with a student who took A-levels with three subjects perfectly aligned for economics at LSE, and received an offer precisely because he had exceptionally high grades in the focus area that university looks for. On the other hand, we worked with a student who, with an IB diploma and an Extended Essay in psychology, secured a place on a US programme that valued exactly that breadth and research component which A-levels doesn't offer. The key lesson is that the programme itself doesn't decide the outcome, but the right choice strengthens a strong application, while the wrong choice can weaken an otherwise strong candidate.
When to choose A-levels
A-levels is the better choice if your child has clear academic interests and knows which direction they want to head in. If they already know at 16 that they want to study law, economics or medicine, A-levels lets them focus solely on the relevant subjects.
It's also the better choice for children with pronounced weaknesses in certain areas. If a child excels in the humanities but struggles with maths and the sciences, A-levels lets them avoid those subjects entirely.
When to choose the IB
The IB is the better choice for children who are still exploring their interests and don't want to specialise too early. The breadth of the programme keeps more university options open.
It also suits children who manage their time well and enjoy variety in their learning. The programme's core (TOK, the Extended Essay, CAS) develops skills that prove useful at university: critical thinking, writing, project management.
If your child is considering universities outside the UK, particularly in the US or Europe, the IB offers stronger global recognition.
What if the boarding school only offers one programme
Some schools offer only A-levels, others only the IB, others both. If you've fallen in love with a school that offers only one programme, think carefully about whether that programme suits your child.
Don't choose the school first and try to make the programme fit afterwards. It's better to work out which programme suits your child first, then look for schools that offer it.
We always remind parents that a child spends two years at that school every single day, and the quality of that experience depends on the programme just as much as on the school. If the programme is wrong, even the best school won't make up for it. We recommend drawing up a list of at least three to five schools that offer the right programme and comparing the full package before making a final decision.
Frequently asked questions
Which programme is easier?
Neither is objectively easier. A-levels requires high grades in fewer subjects, while the IB requires a pass across more areas plus the core. Most students say the IB is more demanding in terms of workload, but that doesn't mean the grades are harder to achieve.
Does the IB cost more at boarding school?
Fees don't differ significantly by programme. Some IB schools charge additional fees for materials related to the core, but these differences are minor.
Can a child change subjects during the programme?
On A-levels, yes, it's possible to change a subject even after the first year. On the IB it's harder, because the structure requires coverage of every group from the start.
Do Italian universities recognise these programmes?
Yes, following the required equivalence recognition process. But if your child is taking the IB or A-levels, they're most likely aiming for universities abroad, where these programmes are directly recognised.
How does it affect the transition from an Italian school?
Both programmes require an adjustment, since they differ from the Italian system. The IB can be a bigger leap because of its breadth and core components. A-levels is closer in that it focuses on individual subjects, but at a higher level.
Conclusion
The IB and A-levels are two different approaches to the same goal: preparing for university. A-levels offers depth in fewer subjects, the IB offers breadth and additional skill development. Neither is universally better. The right choice depends on how your child learns, what interests them and where they plan to study.
If you're not sure which programme suits your child, we can go through their profile and assess the options in a free 30-minute consultation.
