IB Programme: The Best Preparation for Top Universities

The academic advantage of the IB Programme

Unlike the A-Level system, which often encourages early specialisation, the IB curriculum requires students to study a wide range of subjects across six groups: Language and Literature, Language Acquisition, Individuals and Societies, Sciences, Mathematics, and The Arts. This approach ensures that students maintain breadth in their learning while still exploring subjects in depth.

Students choose three IB subjects at Higher Level (HL) and three at Standard Level (SL), developing analytical skills, independent research techniques, and the ability to connect ideas across disciplines.

The core IB components — Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Extended Essay (EE), and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) — develop skills that universities value highly:

• TOK: Encourages critical thinking and an understanding of how knowledge is constructed.
• EE: Teaches academic research and writing, mirroring university-level expectations.
• CAS: Promotes well-rounded development through community engagement, physical activity, and creative projects.

These IB components contribute to a mature learning style. By the time IB students start university, they are often already familiar with the type of thinking, analysis, and writing required.

Explore the IB Curriculum & Subjects

University recognition of the IB Diploma Programme

Leading universities in the UK, US, Australia, Canada, and Europe actively seek IBDP students. UCAS, the UK’s university admissions service, awards high tariff points to the IB Diploma, recognising its value.

• The maximum IB score is 45 points. Most UK universities require 36–38 points for competitive courses.
• Oxbridge colleges routinely accept students with 40+ IB points.
• In the US, institutions like Harvard, MIT, and Stanford value the IB programme’s rigour. IB courses may even count for credit, reducing the number of university courses a student must take.

In Singapore, local universities such as the National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), and the Singapore Management University (SMU) recognise the IB Diploma Programme for direct entry into their degrees.

Why study the IB Diploma in Singapore?

Singapore is home to several top-ranked international schools, including British and international curriculums. The IB Diploma in Singapore has grown in popularity among both expatriate and local families, particularly those seeking a seamless transition to universities abroad.

Students in Singapore IB schools benefit from:

• High teaching standards and global faculty.
• Access to world-class facilities.
• An international cohort and diverse perspectives.
• A rigorous and structured learning environment.

Compared with local GCE A-Levels, the IB Programme allows for earlier university application deadlines overseas and gives students more time to prepare.

For those completing IGCSE or GCE O Levels, the IB Diploma offers a natural academic progression. Many local and international students in Singapore find the IB curriculum and structure better aligned with international university expectations, particularly those in the UK, US, and Europe.

A leading choice for the IB Programme

At Westbourne College (Singapore), we offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme for both Singaporeans and international students in a uniquely supportive setting. Our leading IB school in Singapore provides a distinct alternative to traditional schools, especially for families seeking academic excellence in a professional, personalised environment.

Here’s how Westbourne stands out among IB schools in Singapore:

• Small class sizes: We teach in seminar-style groups where every student is known by name and supported individually. This improves class participation and helps students gain confidence in their presentation and interpersonal skills.
• Focused curriculum: Our STEM and Business specialism prepares students for high demand industries and careers of the future.
• Students treated as young professionals: Westbourne students are treated as young professionals and are not required to wear school uniforms. Instead, they dress in smart professional attire each day, reflecting our school’s emphasis on preparing students for real-world environments.
• Global connections: As part of the Westbourne International network, students benefit from global learning and exchange opportunities with campuses in the UK, Australia, and soon India.
• World-class teaching: Leveraging our network of elite IB schools around the world, our IB students are taught by teachers in our Singapore campus as well as subject experts from our sister schools through our global classrooms powered by holographic technology.
• Outstanding academic results: Westbourne International students consistently perform in the top 1-2% globally, and progress into world-class universities, including Oxbridge and top US institutions.
• Accelerated IB Diploma Pathway: We offer a an accelerated IB Diploma pathway for eligible GCE O Level and N-Level students, allowing them to start university up one year earlier than those on the Singapore A-Level track, or two years earlier as compared to the polytechnic route.

Discover the Westbourne Accelerated IB Diploma Pathway

Hear from a Westbourne parent

If you are considering the IB Diploma in Singapore, Westbourne offers a focused, small-class, academically ambitious path in a professional campus environment. We are an international school in Singapore that blends a century of British educational tradition with a forward-thinking approach in our IB Programme, preparing students not just for university but for careers of the future as well.

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