IB/ Uni- please help!!

Liv.O

12

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(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 1

cactus11235813

21

Original post

by Liv.O

Will an IB student be at a disadvantage when applying to top universities astrophysics?? As I will be competing against A-level students who have literally just done maths/ FM/ physics. I am a year 11 student struggling to decide what to do next year as I have been offered a place at an amazing IB school and don't want to waste this opportunity but I don't want to pick the wrong sixth form course if A-levels would be a better option. - for clarity- the IB school is quite amazing so I feel like I should go for it- i'm just not sure if i will do well enough and then maybe sabotage any hopes for a top uni if i do badly. Thanks for helping y'all!!

Honestly, it won't make a difference - universities have separate A level and IB requirements anyway, so it won't disadvantage you. It depends on how you feel about the IB programme and having to study all the additional subjects!

(I didn't do IB, so can't say much from personal experience).

Reply 2

Liv.O

OP

12

Original post

by cactus11235813

Honestly, it won't make a difference - universities have separate A level and IB requirements anyway, so it won't disadvantage you. It depends on how you feel about the IB programme and having to study all the additional subjects!
(I didn't do IB, so can't say much from personal experience).

I was wondering about entrance exams as i wouldn't have been taught the subjects in as much depth so i may not do as well as A-level students

Reply 3

cactus11235813

21

Original post

by Liv.O

I was wondering about entrance exams as i wouldn't have been taught the subjects in as much depth so i may not do as well as A-level students

It's been a long time since I did my uni entrance exam (Cambridge), but from what I can recall, it was mostly AS or GCSE content, and the maths was standard AS or A level. They've changed it massively since then, but I think it's still along those lines. Further maths is taught very differently at different schools (some do A level maths in one year, and further maths the next, but others do both alongside each other), and I think the IB Higher maths is in between maths and further maths anyway. I think the Oxford one might be different, but I honestly can't remember.

Mosr places don't have entrance exams anyway (unless that's changed massively since I applied), and at interview, they ask you what you've covered in school beforehand, and typically try to test understanding more than niche knowledge anyway.

You shouldn't be disadvantaged by doing IB instead - universities are used to dealing with different qualifications! I think the IB offers are slightly harder (42 or 43 points, at some places), but not by much.

Reply 4

McGinger

20

Original post

by Liv.O

Will an IB student be at a disadvantage when applying to top universities astrophysics?? As I will be competing against A-level students who have literally just done maths/ FM/ physics. I am a year 11 student struggling to decide what to do next year as I have been offered a place at an amazing IB school and don't want to waste this opportunity but I don't want to pick the wrong sixth form course if A-levels would be a better option. - for clarity- the IB school is quite amazing so I feel like I should go for it- i'm just not sure if i will do well enough and then maybe sabotage any hopes for a top uni if i do badly. Thanks for helping y'all!!

Every Uni will list the exact IB requirements on each course page - and no, they don't prefer A level applicants. Check you are taking the right HL subjects, and likely to get near the overall points total.

In many ways, IB students are better prepared for Uni than A level students - they have a far wider general knowledge, and are better able to see the connections between subjects than many A level students.

Bristol - Physics | Study at Bristol | University of Bristol - '38 points overall with 18 at Higher Level, including 7, 6 (in any order) at Higher Level in Mathematics (either Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretations) and Physics'
York - Physics with Astrophysics (BSc) - Undergraduate, University of York - '35 points overall, including 6 in Mathematics (either Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretations) and Physics at Higher Level'
Portsmouth - BSc (Hons)/MPhys (Hons) Physics, Astrophysics & Cosmology | University of Portsmouth - '29 points from the IB Diploma. 655/754 at Higher Level, including 5 points from a Higher Level in a relevant subject (Physics, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Statistics, Electronics).'
Etc etc.

Reply 5

iL1L

Volunteer Team

20

I doubt it's a disadvantage... the IB is harder and unis know that.

Reply 6

Liv.O

OP

12

Original post

by iL1L

I doubt it's a disadvantage... the IB is harder and unis know that.

My main worry is that I won't do as well in entrance exams because my knowledge of the subject won't be as deep as A-level students

Reply 7

McGinger

20

Original post

by Liv.O

My main worry is that I won't do as well in entrance exams because my knowledge of the subject won't be as deep as A-level students

What do you mean by 'entrance exams'?

Reply 8

Liv.O

OP

12

Original post

by McGinger

What do you mean by 'entrance exams'?

For universities (specifically astrophysics) and preferably cambridge- My thoughts are that A-level students will know the maths/ physics in more depth and have a better knowledge of it so will do better.

Reply 9

McGinger

20

Astrophysics isnt offered as a stand-alone subject at Cambridge - its part of Natural Sciences - Natural Sciences, BA (Hons) and MSci | Undergraduate Study

"All applicants for Natural Sciences for 2025 entry are required to take the Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT) at an authorised assessment centre. " Taking A levels doesnt actually give you any advantage in these sort of aptitude tests - if they did, not IB students would ever get into any top Unis - and of course they do - you may be overthinking this.

And the majority of leading Uns dont use additional entrance tests anyway - ESAT is only required for Imperial and Cambridge, PAT is only required by Oxford. You have 5 UCAS choices and you can't apply to both Oxford and Cambridge. So, 'entrance exams' are not going to be used by the majority of your UCAS choices. As above, time to stop worrying about this, and focus on your IB instead.

Reply 10

Liv.O

OP

12

Original post

by McGinger

Astrophysics isnt offered as a stand-alone subject at Cambridge - its part of Natural Sciences - Natural Sciences, BA (Hons) and MSci | Undergraduate Study
"All applicants for Natural Sciences for 2025 entry are required to take the Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT) at an authorised assessment centre. " Taking A levels doesnt actually give you any advantage in these sort of aptitude tests - if they did, not IB students would ever get into any top Unis - and of course they do - you may be overthinking this.
And the majority of leading Uns dont use additional entrance tests anyway - ESAT is only required for Imperial and Cambridge, PAT is only required by Oxford. You have 5 UCAS choices and you can't apply to both Oxford and Cambridge. So, 'entrance exams' are not going to be used by the majority of your UCAS choices. As above, time to stop worrying about this, and focus on your IB instead.

Thank you so much!!x

Reply 11

Muttley79

20

Original post

by Liv.O

Will an IB student be at a disadvantage when applying to top universities astrophysics?? As I will be competing against A-level students who have literally just done maths/ FM/ physics. I am a year 11 student struggling to decide what to do next year as I have been offered a place at an amazing IB school and don't want to waste this opportunity but I don't want to pick the wrong sixth form course if A-levels would be a better option. - for clarity- the IB school is quite amazing so I feel like I should go for it- i'm just not sure if i will do well enough and then maybe sabotage any hopes for a top uni if i do badly. Thanks for helping y'all!!

Personally I think A levels are better for STEM degrees.

Reply 12

http.stillluvava

6

Original post

by Liv.O

Will an IB student be at a disadvantage when applying to top universities astrophysics?? As I will be competing against A-level students who have literally just done maths/ FM/ physics. I am a year 11 student struggling to decide what to do next year as I have been offered a place at an amazing IB school and don't want to waste this opportunity but I don't want to pick the wrong sixth form course if A-levels would be a better option. - for clarity- the IB school is quite amazing so I feel like I should go for it- i'm just not sure if i will do well enough and then maybe sabotage any hopes for a top uni if i do badly. Thanks for helping y'all!!

Just belive in your self

Reply 13

Liv.O

OP

12

Original post

by http.stillluvava

Just belive in your self

aw this made me smile, thanks :smile:

IB/ Uni- please help!!

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