The International Baccalaureate has a sixth form qualification called the Diploma Programme. It has been available for about 30 years in the UK where there are about 70 private schools and 2 private sixth form colleges offering it. To qualify for the IB DP you need to study 6 different subjects, one from each of 6 groupings.
This means you must take English, Maths, a Science and a Modern Language. In addition to the 6 subjects, you need to study 3 additional modules called the Theory of Knowledge, Creativity – Action – Service and The Extended Essay. The IB DP does require more effort than studying for 3 A Levels and you need a greater breadth of knowledge because of compulsory subject choices. UCAS has recognized this by allocating a more generous tariff than A Levels for University admissions.
You can find out all the details on the IB DP on our companion website – http://www.baccalaureate.eu.com/ There you can download a comprehensive eGuide on the IB. If you are interested in finding a college, it is better to complete the enquiry form on that site. Because there are currently only 2 sixth form colleges offering the IB we may suggest admission to a private school instead of a college.
The Pre-U is a new examination syllabus first introduced in September 2008 and the first results will not be available until 2010. At the time of writing there are less than 30 independent schools offering the Pre-U and only one private sixth form college. However, given that the schools include many of the best academic schools in the UK such as Eton and Charterhouse, we are confident that demand will increase dramatically in the next few years.
Initially the Pre-U will be available in 26 individually chosen principal subjects, although the first schools are only offering a limited number e.g 14. The principal subjects will be 2 year courses but there will also be some modern language courses for one year.
The Cambridge Pre-U Diploma will consist of 5 elements – 3 of the individual courses plus an Independent Research Report and Global Perspectives element – a similar methodology to the International Baccalaureate DP – creating a breadth of study – but offering more choice of subjects without the compulsion to take subjects which the student does not want
For the time being, candidates may substitute a maximum of 2 A level course passes for 2 Pre-U subjects. At outset in 2008, most schools are only offering the individual subject courses and are not bothering with the Diploma, although this may change after UCAS allocated it far more tariff points than A Levels in November 2008..
There is much more information on the Pre-U on our companion website http://www.pre-u.info/ If you are interested, it is better that you fill in the enquiry form on that site. Like the IB website, there is also a comprehensive downloadable eGuide on the Pre-U.
Alternatively, just phone us on 0845 226 28 20