A new piece of research has found that the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) outperforms many other ‘native’ examination systems when it comes to gaining a place at higher education institutions across the globe.

Thousands of students will collect their IB results today and discover if they have made the grade for entry into the university of their choice. And, according to new research commissioned by ACS International schools (ACS), the IB is likely to have taken them half-way there. The survey asked UK, US and European university admissions officers to rate the IB and the alternative examinations systems and results highlight the IB Diploma as more highly regarded in almost all categories.

The sixth annual ACS survey of university admissions officers, asked admissions personnel to rate the strength of nine different attributes for both the IB Diploma and the ‘native’ examination system in their country.  In the US and Europe the IB Diploma was ranked more highly in all nine categories, while in the UK it outperformed A-levels in every category with the exception of “developing detailed subject knowledge”.

This news comes hot on the heels of another piece of research, published by the IB Organisation, also demonstrating that IB students are more likely to gain a place at a top university and go on to highly paid careers than their contemporaries taking alternative examinations.

Jeremy Lewis, Head of ACS Egham International School, which has offered the IB for over 30 years, commented on the news, “This positive endorsement of the qualification will be very reassuring to all IB Diploma graduates this week as they embark on their higher education journey, wherever that may be.”

The ACS research goes on to reveal that the IB Diploma consistently scored highly for its ability to “develop independent inquiry skills in students”, a skill which is, according to the research, universally ranked as the number one determinant of academic success at university.

Mr Lewis added, “It is noteworthy that university admissions highlight independent inquiry as the most important skill for academic success at university - this is a key skill nurtured by the IB Diploma.”

Beyond independent inquiry skills, UK admissions officers rated the IB highly for developing an open mind and the ability to cope under pressure.  American admissions officers also ranked the IB highly against the high school diploma for encouraging ability to cope under pressure, together with good self-management skills.  In Europe, admissions officers valued the IB Diploma for developing business skills such as team working and presentation skills.

“Countries around the world are reviewing their education systems to make sure young people get the education they need for life and work in an unpredictable global environment,” Mr Lewis commented. “It is timely to review and compare attitudes towards the pre-university qualifications across these three regions.  More young people are looking to expand their educational and work horizons and they and their parents need to have confidence in the qualifications they’re gaining and their currency / standing across the world.”

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