IB Diploma Vs A-Level in Singapore
Compare IB Diploma and A-Levels for Sixth Form in Singapore. Make an informed decision to shape your academic journey and future aspirations.
Posted: 29th March 2023
It’s one of the most important decisions you will face as a student in Singapore – what to study after your GCE O-Level or GCE N-Level examinations.
Choosing between the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma and the Singapore A-Level, along with selecting the right subject combination, is a crucial decision in securing admission to your desired university and degree programme. It is not just about selecting what to study—it is about building a foundation over the next two years that aligns with your aspirations and broadens your future options. What matters most is that the choice you make equips you with the tools to become a knowledgeable, well-rounded young professional. Your studies should support you to gain the skills to navigate university life and the global world.
As a young student deciding your future study options, or as a parent guiding their teenager through the Singapore educational system, it is essential to understand the two most popular qualifications: the IB vs A-Levels. Both offer distinct advantages in preparing students for top university entry and future career success.
For students with a clear direction or those still exploring their options, the IB Diploma provides a well-rounded approach, covering six subjects while developing critical thinking, international-mindedness, and research skills. In contrast, the A-Level programme allows for a more in-depth focus on a smaller number of subjects.
Here, we explore some key questions surrounding each qualification, supporting you to make an informed decision.
Singapore A-Level: Focused but limited
Founded over 70 years ago, the GCE A-Level was the UK’s traditional pathway and was introduced to Singapore in 1975 as the standard examination for pre-university students. In 2002, however, the Singapore-Cambridge GCE A-Level became independent from the UK’s version, as Singapore’s Ministry of Education sought to take greater control over its management.
The Singapore A-Level has an Arts or Science stream, and is primarily offered to students from junior colleges (JCs) or centralised institutes. It requires students to take the General Paper (GP), Project Work (PW) and Mother Tongue Language (MTL) at the H1 Level. Additionally, students are generally required to study 3H2 subjects and 1H1 subject, with at least one of the subjects coming from a contrasting discipline. In some cases, students may take 4H2 subjects, and this is subject to the requirements of a specific JC.
While it is a focused curriculum, recent critiques suggest that the A-Level may not adequately prepare students for the evolving demands of university and the workforce. As Sir Michael Barber, former advisor to the UK government on education, noted, “A Levels are well-established but narrow in scope. For a world that increasingly values adaptability, specialisation alone may fall short” (The Times, 2019).
Moreover, some top universities, such as King’s College London, have adapted admissions criteria to better align with broader qualifications like the IB. These institutions value applicants who can showcase a diversity of skills and perspectives—traits naturally fostered by the IB’s structure.
IB Diploma: A global education for a global future
The IB Diploma, studied in over 150 countries and founded more than 50 years ago, has gained widespread recognition as a comprehensive and globally minded alternative to A-Levels. Through its broader six-subject approach and unique “core” components, the IB shapes students who are adaptable, critical thinkers prepared for university and beyond.
The IB’s Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Extended Essay (EE), and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) programme instil skills that employers and universities value. As Marilyn McGrath Lewis, Director of Admissions at Harvard University, said, “The IB is well known to us for excellent preparation. Success in an IB programme correlates well with success at Harvard.” (Harvard Admissions, 2018).
Stanford University echoes this sentiment, stating that “IB students are among our most well-prepared applicants. The IB programme’s emphasis on global awareness and critical thinking aligns well with our values and expectations” (Stanford Admissions, 2020).
What’s the IB all about?
- Broad Learning: In the IB Diploma, you study six subjects across disciplines, from sciences and maths to languages and the arts. This well-rounded education helps you gain expertise and perspective in a range of fields, ensuring you’re prepared for diverse university options.
- The Core Components: At the heart of the IB is its “core,” which isn’t just extra work but an essential part of your growth. This includes:
- Theory of Knowledge (TOK): A philosophy-based course that teaches you how to think critically and connect knowledge across subjects.
- Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS): Encourages you to engage in community service, creative pursuits, and physical activity, nurturing personal growth beyond academics.
- Extended Essay (EE): A 4,000-word independent research project that builds your university-level research, writing, and analytical skills.
- Global Perspective: With the IBDP, you’re encouraged to think beyond your immediate surroundings. The curriculum connects you to diverse cultures and global ideas, teaching you how to collaborate and communicate with people from all backgrounds.
- Critical Thinking: The IB emphasises critical thinking and inquiry over rote memorisation. Through coursework, projects, and TOK, you’ll learn to question assumptions, evaluate perspectives, and think independently—skills highly valued in both university and the workplace.
- University and Career Readiness: The IB Diploma is recognised and respected by top universities worldwide. Research shows that IB graduates are more likely to excel in university and achieve higher honours. Many universities appreciate the IB’s challenging structure, seeing it as excellent preparation for the demands of higher education.
- More extensive coverage with breadth and depth: While you get a broad education, you also study three subjects at Higher Level (HL) for in-depth knowledge, blending both specialisation and variety. This flexibility is ideal for students who want to keep their options open while delving deeper into specific areas.
- Lifelong Skills and Holistic Assessment: The IB nurtures transferable skills—time management, research, resilience, and teamwork—that extend far beyond school. Graduates often highlight that the IB not only prepared them academically but also for life, making them adaptable and self-motivated. Unlike the Singapore A-Level, where the final mark is heavily dependent on exam performance, the IB Diploma assessment is a holistic process, incorporating internal assessments and coursework components. This balanced approach helps reduce stress, as it allows students to demonstrate their learning across various formats, rather than relying solely on high-stakes exams.
Do I have to study Maths as part of the IB?
In short – yes!
Maths is a core skill in life and the IB supports students to embrace this. As an IB student, you can choose to take Maths as a standard level subject, which means you do not lose the skills needed to hold your head high in future business dealings.
Students choose from two maths courses, depending on ability:
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- Maths, analysis and approaches
- Maths, applications and interpretations
Either one can at HL or SL. More talented mathematicians tend to tackle HL Applications and Interpretations. Those who do not enjoy the subject quite so much taking SL Analysis and Approaches.
Do I have to study a second language at IB?
IB Schools are known as IB World Schools for good reason – the growth and development of globally minded students is at the core of the philosophy. The study of a second language at IB fully supports students who have never learnt a foreign language, as many languages are offered ab initio.
What are the ‘extra’ subjects I have to study at IB?
The ‘inner core’ of the IB Diploma is far from three extra subjects. Simply put, they are life skills which support students in many ways, university entry being just one of them. The three parts, which are compulsory, include:
The IB Diploma is visually displayed as a circle, with a core which provides the foundation for all subject choices and future studies.
Theory of Knowledge (TOK)
Learn how to think, not what to think. TOK explores critical thinking, arming students with the skills to dig deeper into topics and have the curiosity to learn more.
It is another aspect that admissions officers see as beneficial. Critical thinking is required in academia, as well as in the workplace. The IB creates lifelong learners who are able to understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.
Creativity, Activity Service (CAS)
An integral part of the IB Diploma is shaping knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a more peaceful and compassionate world.
CAS requires students to spend a set number of hours developing creative skills, being involved in an activity or sport, or providing a service for their community.
The Extended Essay (EE)
This is an in-depth independent research project relating to a subject of interest. The EE is an excellent opportunity for students to develop independent research skills, with the support of their IB Coordinators. It is hugely beneficial in showcasing their academic abilities to University Admissions Officers.
The EE is framed around the type of assignments students might encounter at university. The 4000-word essay proves to admission teams that the pupil is well equipped to handle the challenges of higher education. It also provides strong talking points in university admission or career-based interviews.
Do you have to be really clever to study the IBDP?
Is the IB only for super bright, ultra hard-working students? To claim so would be hugely unfair to any hard-working Singapore A-Level student.
Certainly, to tackle the IB you have to be ambitious, motivated and independent.
The granularity of the IB Point scale does enable the most talented students to be clearly identified by admissions officers, as it goes far beyond the typical Singapore A-Level A grade maximum. However, the course is designed for all students and is about breadth and depth of education and understanding, not simply grades.
The IB is best suited to students who although they may not always know which subject they want to study at university. They have a clear vision of being well prepared for the future and keen to play their part on the global stage.
How do IB Diploma grades work?
The Singapore A-Level follow an alphabetical grading, which from a university admissions perspective looks mainly at A – C.
The IB Diploma is numerical, with a maximum of 45 Points being achieved by a mere 0.1% of the population of students who sit the Diploma worldwide.
IB grading:
- Each subject is graded on a 1 – 7 point scale, with 7 being the top mark
- 3 additional points are earned for the Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge.
- 24 Points is the pass rate, the worldwide average is 29 – 30 Points
Is there any time advantage that the IB Diploma offers?
IBDP results are announced at the start of July each year, enabling students to start university education in late July for most Australian universities or to start in August for Singapore universities. On the contrary, the Singapore A-Level results are usually announced mid-late February of the following year, resulting in a gap before university studies.
At Westbourne College (Singapore), we offer an accelerated IB Diploma pathway that enables O-Level and N-Level students to progress into university one year earlier than Singapore A-Level students, and two-years earlier as compared to Polytechnic Diploma graduates.
Does the IB Diploma really help university entry?
University admissions officers tend to love the IB Diploma! The reasons are twofold. Firstly, the IB Diploma with its 45 Point grade scale, versus the A – E, Singapore A-Level scale, enables students to truly showcase their academic ability.
The IBDP also allows admissions officers to assess subject interest and student ability to stay the course at university. IB Diploma students learn tenacity throughout their studies, and with proven lower drop-out rates in the first year of university compared to A-Level students you can see why admissions officers favour the IB Diploma.
Research has shown that approximately 1/5th of IB university entrants (19%) achieve a 1st Class Honours Award compared to 14.5% from other entry courses. Almost twice as many IB Diploma entrants (5.1%) take Medicine and Dentistry compared to A-Level entrants (2.9%).
The table below is taken from the University Admissions Officer Report:
For those looking to study at College in the US, there is a widespread practice to grant IB students credit and/or advanced standing and fast tracking in certain subjects. This further demonstrates the positive perception of the IB among higher education officials. Even Stanford offers course credits on IB HL subjects.
Many highly selective institutions like Stanford regard the IB Diploma to “form highly capable, strongly prepared candidates who are ready to take on a challenge”.
In the UK, an analysis by the Higher Education Statistics Agency found that IB students were more likely to go to a top 20 ranked university than their A-Level peers. They were also more likely to get a first-class degree and be among the top of their class, as well as take postgraduate study.
In recent years, British universities, amongst their ranks, King’s College London, Bath, Birmingham, Leeds and Royal Holloway, have made deliberate, explicit, and substantial changes to their entry requirements to attract IB students.
There is more leeway in what is required from students even at the very top universities. Oxford asks for between 38 to 40 points and Cambridge usually requires between 40 to 42. Because with the IB there are more ways to make up the points students tend to be less anxious about achieving those results.
It is important to note that the IB Diploma focuses on both academic and non-academic knowledge. These are skills important for success in the transition from secondary to university education.
Other common benefits that IB Diploma alumni have cited are motivation, work habits, time management, ability to form their own opinions, research, writing and analytical skills and the ability to draw interdisciplinary connections.
Surveys and studies across a wide range of contexts repeatedly demonstrate how well prepared IB students feel in undertaking university studies. In addition to pride in participating in the programme, students report feeling well equipped to succeed in university coursework.
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