2013-03-22 06:55:56 -

King’s College London, one of the UK’s leading universities, has this week announced : cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww .. that it has formally reviewed its position on the IB Diploma Programme in order to ensure that IB students with the ability to excel at King’s are made an appropriate and fair offer.

In recent years, despite the grades of IB applicants remaining constant, the admissions requirements have crept up from 32 points in 2003 to 39 points in 2013. King’s has now adjusted its IB offers, placing a little more emphasis on the Higher Level subjects, whilst reducing slightly the total point score required to a maximum of 35 points.

King’s decision to review its offers to IB students has been widely welcomed

by the IB community. John Claughton, Headmaster at King Edward’s Birmingham, which last year saw its first cohort of IB students graduate from the Diploma Programme with flying colours, praised the move.

“At King Edward’s School we made the decision to move to a solely IB curriculum because we believed that it would provide a really challenging education which would be the best preparation for university study. In the last couple of years, the IB has completely exceeded our expectations, and has more than vindicated our decision. The Diploma Programme equips students with a unique set of skills and attributes which makes them attractive to admissions tutors, giving them a capacity for inquiry, research and problem-solving that is the ideal preparation for the demands of degree level study. We are delighted that King’s College London has acknowledged the core strengths of IB students and the real benefits they bring to leading universities here in the UK.”


Adrian Kearney, Regional Director, Europe, Middle East and Africa, International Baccalaureate, adds: “All the data shows that the IB Diploma Programme gives students excellent prospects when applying for university places, and in fact gives students a better chance of achieving entry to a top HEI than equivalent qualifications. What’s more, there is evidence to show that IB students perform better when they are at university – HESA data shows that a higher percentage of IB students achieve a first class honours award compared to students holding A-levels or equivalent qualifications (19% versus 14.5%). That’s why we welcome the move by King’s College London to readjust their IB offers in recognition of the exceptional IB candidates which apply for a place at this top university.”

The IB has a dedicated University Liaison Officer who works closely with Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the UK to ensure that universities understand and appreciate the many benefits of the IB, and make fair and equitable offers to IB students.



Professor Sir Rick Trainor, Principal of King’s said: “King’s welcomes the great sense of energy, determination and diversity that IB students bring to the College, and how well they adapt to an academically rigorous study environment and university life. We believe this is in part thanks to the broad nature of the IB, which complements King’s range of single honours and multidisciplinary degree programmes.

We have recently expanded our range of interdisciplinary programmes with a global perspective – for example International Relations, Global Health & Social Medicine and International Development - which suit students with a wide range of interests.”


David Barrs, Headteacher, Anglo European School adds: “The IB Diploma Programme provides students with excellent prospects when applying for university places, and builds the foundation for academic achievement and excellence at university. The Extended Essay familiarises students with the independent research and writing skills expected at degree level, while the Theory of Knowledge module challenges students to apply their knowledge and understanding in unique and creative ways.”


* Higher Education Statistics Authority 2011


King’s College Press release: www.kcl.ac.uk/newsevents/news/newsrecords/2013/03-March/Kings-re .. : cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww ..

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About the IB


Founded in 1968 the International Baccalaureate (IB) is a not-for profit foundation, which offers four high quality and challenging educational programmes for a worldwide community of schools. For more than 40 years, IB programmes have gained a reputation for their rigour and high academic standards, for preparing students for life in a globalised 21st century, and for helping to develop citizens who will create a better, more peaceful world. Currently there are over 1 million IB students attending nearly 3500 schools in more than 143 countries. To learn more, please visit www.ibo.org : cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww .. .

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International BaccalaureateTim Nettleton tim.nettleton@ibo.org : mailto:tim.nettleton@ibo.org +41

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