IB Diploma Programme (DP) students have a 57 percent greater likelihood of attending one of the top 20 UK universities than students who study traditional A Levels. IB students also have greater post education prospects compared to students of matched prior attainment and on average earn more than their A Level counterparts, according to findings from a new report.
The report, conducted by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), compares students entering UK higher education from the IB Diploma Programme with students arriving via the more traditional A Level route.
It also examines key areas of progression from further education to university, including university enrolment and achievement, higher education institution destinations, postgraduate destinations and the salary of leavers once in employment.
University destinations
The data shows that between 2012 and 2013 46 percent of DP students achieved places to study at a top 20 UK university compared to 33 percent of A Level students – based on data collated from sources such as The Complete University Guide League Table, The Guardian University Guide 2015 and The Times University Guide 2015.
Adrian Kearney, Regional Director Africa, Europe and Middle East at the IB said: “The Diploma Programme develops students who top universities want to recruit: students with expert subject knowledge; with the skills required for academic success – research, essay writing, referencing; and above all, with the spirit of intellectual inquiry and critical thinking, and the ability to challenge, argue and ask questions.”
University achievement
The report shows that DP students have a significantly greater likelihood of earning a first class honours degree compared to their A Level peers (23 percent versus 19 percent respectively). Diploma students are also notably more likely to achieve at least a second class degree than A Level students.
Postgraduate destinations
Of the students who successfully complete a full-time undergraduate degree at a UK university, DP students are significantly more likely to be engaged in further study, while A Level students are more likely to join the workforce at this point.
At 18 percent, DP graduates are more likely to be employed in professional, scientific and technical activities, compared to 13 percent of A Level students. A Level alumni surveyed were more likely to be employed in wholesale and retail trade (16 percent) compared to 10 percent of IB students.
Salary of leavers
The research* also asked graduates to provide an estimate of their total yearly earnings (before tax) to the nearest thousand. The highest average salary for a DP leaver who has studied mathematical sciences at university was UK£30,000, compared to UK£22,000 for A Level students who had graduated from the same course.
Kearney continued: “The report has shown that DP students compare favourably with A Level students at top higher education institutions in the UK, both in terms of achievement and postgraduate destinations, showing that the programme best prepares students for university, but equally as important, for life beyond study too with DP students on average having a higher earning potential.”
*The Destination of Leavers from Higher Education Survey
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