Confusion about UCAS points for IB/a-levels

Hey everyone

I took the IB, and after receiving my results started doing some research on how my grades compare. If I'm not mistaking I have 457 UCAS points (33 in the IB).
My offer to study medicine was 36 points, and a level applicants usually received the offer AAB. Now looking at UCAS points wouldn't AAB give 340 points? This can surely not be the case as I missed my offer and still have way more than that. So can anyone tell me how UCAS points for a levels are calculate?

Help is very much appreciated :smile:

Reply 1

adam1992

Universities dont seem to take UCAS points into account unless you do A- levels, I did the IB as well and saw that there was a massive gap between the points tariffs.
Even if you go to the University with this information it is very unlikely to make a difference but it is always worth a shot. Best of Luck.

Reply 2

Semyon

Your calculations are right, but UCAS points don't seem relevant when it comes to the IB. They don't realise how hard we have to work. :frown:

Anyway, good luck!

Reply 3

ViralRiver

Original post by Semyon

Your calculations are right, but UCAS points don't seem relevant when it comes to the IB. They don't realise how hard we have to work. :frown:

Anyway, good luck!

It seems you're making a comparison of the work load in IB and A Levels, but at the same time implying you've not actually ever taken A Levels.

Reply 4

Suigeneris

The offer for medicine is AAA.

Reply 5

Semyon

It seems you're making a comparison of the work load in IB and A Levels, but at the same time implying you've not actually ever taken A Levels.

True, but no-one's going to take both to make sure. :biggrin:

All my friends, who do both IB and A-levels, would acknowledge that the IB people work harder.

But yeah, you're right, I probably shouldn't say things like that. Universities' attitude to the IB makes me annoyed though.

Reply 6

Scribblet

Some unis do a straight conversation. For me Bradford wanted people to get AAA (360 UCAS points) so they gave me an offer of 28. Others said that if it were AAA for A levels they wanted 34 at IB.
I get the impression that most ignore UCAS tariffs. It's a pain but I can see why, just because of the number of subjects we do it is easier for us to have a higher UCAS score.

Reply 7

ithinkimcool

most A level students do have an extra As level or two. so that could be another 120 ucas points added to their AAB at A levels making 460 ucas points, which would make more than you. But i do feel some unis don't weight IB equally to a levels, even though IB have a greater work load.

Reply 8

Toni42

Agree with ihinkimcool I have completed five ASs, four A levels, 3 national diplomas (and still half way through 3 others), CSLA, ECDL and an extended project. If I meet my predictions I have something like 800 ucas points well in excess of my AAA offer. As far as IB goes if its a greater workload than what I have done or my friends (many of whom have been doing degree courses as well as alevels) then hat goes off to you

Reply 9

Dividends

Trying to compare IB with A levels is like trying to compare a pineapple with some pears.

They are just different things altogether

Though for what it's worth I'll argue that IB is a little under appreciated by universities :hmpf: