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International A Levels

International Baccalaureate vs A Levels

In short

The IB Diploma is six subjects graded 1 to 7, scored out of 45. A Levels are Level 3 qualifications graded A* to E, with an A* worth 56 UCAS Tariff points. Pearson's International A Levels use the same A* to E scale but carry no Tariff points, and UCAS says most admissions teams treat them like A levels.

IB vs A Levels side by side

The table compares the qualifications on grades, structure and UCAS Tariff points.

A LevelInternational A LevelInternational Baccalaureate Diploma
GradesA* to EA* to E (International AS: A to E)1 to 7 in each of six subjects, plus up to 3 points for Theory of Knowledge and the extended essay; 45 points at most, and at least 24 to pass
StructureLinear, all papers in one summer seriesModular, unit exams in January, May/June and OctoberSix subjects plus the core: Theory of Knowledge, the extended essay and CAS; written exams at the end of the programme for most courses
UCAS Tariff points56 for an A*, down to 16 for an ENone; most admissions teams treat them like A levelsGiven per subject: 56 for a Higher Level 7 and 28 for a Standard Level 7; Theory of Knowledge and the extended essay up to 12 each

Who awards International A Levels

Pearson Edexcel sets, marks and awards International A Levels. UCAS describes the qualification as Level 3, comparable to Level 3 of the frameworks in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

How A Levels and International A Levels are graded

The full International A Level is graded A* to E, the same scale as a UK A Level. The IAS is graded A to E. UCAS says International A Levels are not awarded UCAS Tariff points, but most admissions teams use International A Levels and GCE A levels interchangeably.

How they differ from UK A Levels

A UK A Level is linear, with all papers sat in one summer series, while an International A Level is modular with three series a year. Our guide International A Levels vs A Levels compares structure, resits, practicals and UCAS points in full.

International A Levels at Lift College

Lift College teaches four Pearson Edexcel subjects online with a named UK tutor, from age 14. You sit the unit exams at Tutors & Exams centres in England in the January, May/June and October series. See all subjects on International A Levels online.

SubjectPearson codeUnits
International A Level MathematicsYMA016: Pure 1 to 4, Mechanics 1, Statistics 1
International A Level BiologyYBI116, including two practical skills papers
International A Level ChemistryYCH116, including two practical skills papers
International A Level PhysicsYPH116, including two practical skills papers

Questions

What is international A level?
International A Levels are Pearson Edexcel Level 3 qualifications, graded A* to E, built for international learners. They are modular, with unit exams across the January, May/June and October series, and UK NARIC found them comparable to the UK A level standard.
Are international A levels harder than A levels?
Pearson says the same standards apply to all its qualifications, and UK NARIC confirmed in November 2017 that International A Levels meet the UK A level standard. The main difference is structure: International A Levels are modular, while UK A Levels are linear, with all papers sat in one summer series.
Is international baccalaureate equivalent to A levels?
UCAS gives IB subjects Tariff points by grade and level. A Higher Level grade 7 earns 56, the same as an A* at A Level, and a Standard Level grade 7 earns 28. Theory of Knowledge and the extended essay each earn up to 12 more.

Related pages

Sources

International A Levels: all courses and guides