Frequently asked questions

The IB is a globally recognised qualification and offers more choice, flexibility and breadth of study than A Levels. Each subject at higher level offers the equivalent depth of an A Level, and by studying the DP Core you have opportunities that provide key skills to help you stand out from a crowd of applicants.

Research has also shown that students who complete the IB over A Levels are:

• more likely to go to a top 20 ranked university
• more likely to go on to postgraduate study
• more likely to obtain a First-Class degree
• and will earn more as a graduate

The DP is one of the world’s most highly regarded and academically rigorous educational programmes. It offers a stable, credible and internationally-recognised path to academic success in an increasingly competitive and changeable world.

The DP offers a broad curriculum made up of six subject groups and students can study three at higher level and three at standard level. Due to this, students are able to tailor the programme to suit their personal skills and interests and will develop both depth and breadth of knowledge during the course.

A Levels are extremely linear and are a specific set of three subjects that are taught explicitly so that students can pass an exam at the end of their two years. In comparison, the DP centres around a set of core competencies, skills and values which are important to the development of every student. The DP requires students to study a broader range of subjects and consider the links between them, within an international context.

DP is a globally recognised qualification and puts students in a greater position for further study. Where the A Level benchmark has been adjusted and continues to undergo change, the IB has remained a tried and tested system.

The CP was developed specially for students who want to focus on career-related learning and combines practical training and coaching in a career-related subject in addition to two, or three, DP subjects. Due to this, students are able to tailor the programme to suit their personal skills and interests and will develop both depth and breadth of knowledge during the course.

Higher education institutions across the globe recognise the strength and rigour of an IB education, which enables students to develop lifelong, transferable skills such as critical thinking, independent inquiry and self-discipline. These skills are highly valued by admission teams.

As a result, the IB is recognised as one of the highest standards in university preparatory education and research has shown that higher rates of DP students go on to university, and higher education study, than non-IB students and IB students are regarded as some of the highest performers in their subject areas. Studying the DP can help you to stand out from the crowd of similar looking applicants; DP students have a 57% greater likelihood of attending a top 20 UK university than students who study traditional A Levels, according to research commissioned by the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

As an IB World School, Impington International College is subject to a strict authorisation process, ensuring that we are providing a high-quality education and our teaching methods and curriculums draw from the best educational practices around the world.

An IB education:

• focuses on learners
• develops effective approaches to teaching and learning
• works within global contexts
• explores significant content and provides students with a broad and balanced education

Success in the IB will depend on your dedication to do your best; willingness to be organised in order to complete the work, while leading a full, balanced life; and a strong commitment to learning in and beyond the classroom. Due to the nature of the programme, you will benefit from more contact time with your teachers, which many students find useful. We run additional study groups for students, and provide extra support around deadlines and submission dates.

However, if at any time you are struggling, your tutor will be available and you can talk to them about any concerns you have. We also have a dedicated Sixth Form Student Manager, who can be contacted if you would like to discuss anything.

The simple answer is, no. The IB works well for learners with a range of abilities and learning styles. DP students have the opportunity to study three of their strongest subjects at higher level, alongside the remaining three at standard level. This allows our students to discover their academic passions without having to restrict their future opportunities by reducing their breadth of study. For students who have a specific career in mind, the CP allows them to create a tailored programme of practical and academic knowledge to ensure they can enter their specific industry of interest with confidence.

Success throughout the IB is dependent on a student’s dedication to do his or her best; willingness to be organised in order to complete the work, while leading and full, balanced life; and a strong commitment to learning in and beyond the classroom. These are better indicators of a student’s ability to succeed with the IB rather than prior academic success.

The DP is a rigorous but rewarding course of study for motivated pupils. A pupil’s dedication to study, to be organised in order to complete the required work, and strong commitment to learning in and beyond the classroom, while managing to lead a balanced life, is a success indicator for prospective DP pupils.

The CP is a programme that is ideal for students who wish to focus on career-related learning throughout Sixth Form. If you are particularly interested in a specific career, the CP will give you the opportunity to gain hands-on professional experience, while also achieving academic excellence and the knowledge and skills to attend university or go straight into work.

Absolutely – for students who have a clear idea of what they want to study, the DP can be tailored to meet the requirements, while not having to give up subjects that they love. It also provides advantage for those who have resolved to pursue a particular path and for any number of reasons have a change of heart; due to the broad nature of the programme, students can choose a different pathway/subject to read at university during their Sixth Form studies.

Our scholarships have been designed to complement both the DP and CP so they are accessible to all students. For more information on our scholarship opportunities, please get in touch.