International School Exams - Blog

How do UK international school qualifications compare to the IB?

Written by ISE Team | Apr 3, 2024 9:05:37 AM

While both UK international school qualifications and the International Baccalaureate (IB) are globally recognised qualifications, pursuing UK international school qualifications like International GCSEs and International AS and A Levels offers unique benefits: 

UK international school qualifications are recognised by top-ranked universities worldwide. 

For students, UK international school qualifications are a springboard to the very best universities in the world and rewarding international career opportunities. A Levels are highly regarded by the most competitive and prestigious universities worldwide.  

 

UK international school qualifications are taught in more than 12,000 schools in over 160 countries.  

International GCSEs and International AS and A Levels are the most popular international school qualifications in the world, delivered by over 12,000 schools. In contrast, there are just over 5,700 IB World Schools globally.   

 

UK international school qualifications are backed by prestigious and credible UK-based awarding bodies.  

UK international school qualifications are the only international school qualifications that boast the support, governance, and credibility of the UK education system and UK-based awarding bodies. These bodies are linked to prestigious educational institutions including Cambridge, Oxford, and Pearson. 
 
There are a host of other reasons why UK international school qualifications are more popular than any other international school qualification today: 

  • Affordable and accessible to a wide range of students 
  • Culturally sensitive curriculum that’s adaptable to local contexts  
  • Focus on flexibility and choice with a wide range of subjects   
  • Student-centred learning environment  
  • Teaches critical thinking, problem-solving, and deep subject knowledge  
  • Highly standardised and regulated, ensuring consistency and fairness