A LEVELS OR IB | MIKE KIRBY, HEAD OF PR AT CIFE AND PRINCIPAL ASHBOURNE COLLEGE LONDON
Ashbourne A Level College, London - logo
Ashbourne A Level College London
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
+44(0)207 937 3858
+44(0)207 937 3858

Primary menu

Skip to primary content
Skip to secondary content
Menu
  • Home
  • A levels
    • Close
    • A levels
      • A levels introduction
      • A level subjects
      • Intensive A level courses at Ashbourne
      • A level Retakes (resits)
      • A level Easter Revision Courses
      • A level Exam Results
      • Admissions
    • Specialised Programmes
      • Medical School Programme (AMSP)
      • Engineering Programme (AEP)
      • Oxbridge Programme (AOP)
      • Art Programme (AAP)
      • Extended project (EPQ)
      • Critical Theory
    • Drama & Theatre Studies
      • Drama & Theatre introduction
      • Drama & Theatre A level
      • Ashbourne Revue
      • Drama Scholarships
    • Music
      • Music introduction
      • A level Music
      • Music scholarships
      • Ashbourne music students
    • Close
  • GCSEs
    • Close
    • GCSEs
      • GCSE at Ashbourne
      • GCSE Subjects
      • GCSE Easter Revision Courses
      • GCSE Exam Results
      • Admissions
    • Close
  • Easter Revision
    • Close
    • Easter Revision
      • Easter Revision introduction
      • Course dates, times and fees
      • Course timetable
      • A level Easter revision courses
      • GCSE Easter revision courses
      • Easter Revision testimonials
      • Revision hints and tips
      • Enrol for Easter Revision
    • Close
  • International Students
    • Close
    • International Students
      • International Students introduction
      • A level courses at Ashbourne
      • GCSE courses at Ashbourne
      • Best high school in London
      • International Events
      • Apply now
    • Close
  • About us
    • Close
    • About Us
      • Why choose Ashbourne?
      • A level Exam results
      • GCSE Exam Results
      • Best college in London
      • University Destinations
      • London A level results league tables
      • Personal tutors
      • Ofsted accreditation
      • Facilities
      • Testimonials & Feedback
    • Information
      • Videos
      • Virtual Tours
      • History
      • Location
      • Staff
      • The Proprietor
      • Vacancies
    • College Resources
      • College Resources
      • College Advice Articles »
      • College Amenities »
      • College Policies »
      • Ashbourne Portal
      • Safeguarding Resources
      • Ashbourne Staff Documents
    • Activities and Events
      • Activities and Events
      • Activities, Clubs & Special Events
      • Trips
      • European Trips
      • Christmas Revue
      • Open Evening
    • Blogs/Social
      • Ashbourne College Blog
      • History of Art Blog
      • PSHEE Blog
      • Personal Tutoring Blog
      • Facebook
      • Twitter
      • YouTube
      • Instagram
    • Close
  • Admissions
    • Close
    • Admissions
      • Admissions introduction
      • Prospectus
      • Fees
      • Term dates
    • Admissions
      • UK student admissions
      • International student admissions
    • Miscellaneous
      • Accommodation
      • A level course length options
      • A level scholarships
    • Close
  • Contact Us
    • Close
    • Contact Us
      • Contact Us
      • College location map
      • Registered company details
      • Our location
    • Close

Post navigation

← Previous Next →

A Levels or IB?

Home » College Articles » A Levels or IB?
View all College Advice Articles...

The IB is the ideal of pre-university education for many educators. Who couldpossibly argue with its mission; the breadth and depth of its subject offerings; its introduction to research, philosophy and community service?

A Levels per se advertise few of these virtues and are less ambitious and prescriptive in their outlook. Allowing students to select four subjects (reducing typically to three in the second year) from a choice of over 30,A Levels offer students the freedom not just to choose the subjects thatappeal but crucially to avoid the subjects that repel. As the great majority of teenagers are quite fussy, there is rarely much agonizing about restricting their choices to only four subjects. The IB insists on six subjects (twocompulsory) plus compulsory theory of knowledge, an extended essay and community service – all very laudable but redolent of the vows of a religious order. A Levels to a fault permit unrestricted choice (notwithstanding the subjects required by medicine and a few other university degrees). A Levels are often criticised for their burden of examinations but to me they seem a paragon of creativity in comparison to the IB. Both courses are intellectually demanding, but A Levels give students a bit more time in which to pursuemusic, sport, riding or whatever else takes their fancy. The important issue here is that these extracurricular activities are not examined. Why should they be? If a student has an exceptional breadth of interests, a well-resourced programme of extracurricular activities (among other possibilities)will nicely accommodate them.

A Levels are a unique world-beating product that are undersold, under-promoted and undervalued. They are especially attractive to international students because they represent an escape from the prison of educational systems that insist on twelve or more subjects prior to university. They allow students to focus on subjects that might inspire passion and, although often a political football and most certainly far from perfect, they respond to changing circumstances and are an interesting artefact of our culture. Let us praise a national treasure.

 

This entry was posted by Ashbourne College. Bookmark the permalink.

Ashbourne Social Channels

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram

Ashbourne A level College London

  • One of the best A level colleges in London
  • Strong exam results - 2019 47% A*A
  • 54% of graduates at Russell Group Universities
  • Exceptional facilities
  • Individual attention
  • Great location

DOWNLOAD PROSPECTUS APPLY NOW

video-ashbourne-college-london
Watch our introductory video

Subscribe by RSS

  You can also subscribe to our latest news updates using our RSS feed.

College Resources

  • Ashbourne College Blog
  • Advice articles, resources, policies...
  • Ashbourne Portal

All College Resources...

  • A Level College London
  • GCSE Courses in London
  • Easter Revision courses in London
  • Independent High School London
  • About Ashbourne Sixth Form College
  • Admissions to Ashbourne College
  • Subject Blogs
  • A Level Subjects
  • GCSE Subjects
  • Drama at Ashbourne College
  • Music at Ashbourne College
  • Arts & Design at Ashbourne College
  • College Resources
  • Cookie Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Trademarks and Copyright
  • Website Disclaimer
  • Website Privacy Notice

Ashbourne Sixth Form College
17 Old Court Place
Kensington
London W8 4PL
United Kingdom
+44(0)207 937 3858
admissions@ashbournecollege.co.uk
Location map

The cookie notice has been accepted. Click here to review our Cookie Policy
A level College in London | 私立一所大学,伦敦 | Swasta A kolej tahap, London | Частный колледж уровня, Лондон | Cao đẳng A-level tư nhân ở London
Copyright © 2019 Ashbourne A Level College London. All Rights Reserved.
Web design and development by OlleyDesign & WebSanity
This website uses cookies to gather anonymous website usage information. Accept Find out more...
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Necessary Always Enabled