Which are the best IB curriculum schools in the UK?

There are currently around 130 International Baccalaureate (IB) schools in the UK, and the top IB curriculum schools tend to be found near the UK’s capital city of London, due to the international transport links and the number of companies headquartered there. IB schools like Southbank International, Sevenoaks and Dwight School London regularly appear on lists of the best IB schools in the UK, along with the three ACS International Schools based across Egham, Hillingdon and Cobham.

The IB (International Baccalaureate) Diploma is the world’s most recognised academic programme for students aged 16–18. It’s popular with international families as it’s a highly transferable and rigorous education that successfully prepares students for the next stage in their lives, wherever in the world they are. Each IB school has different strengths, facilities and courses on offer, so it’s wise to visit as many as possible to help narrow down your options.

If you’re an expat parent who’s moving to the UK, or you’re a local family exploring alternatives to A Levels, making a list of IB schools in the UK that offer the IBDP (International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme or the IBCP (International Baccalaureate Careers Programme) is a good place to start.

What are the benefits of an IB education?

The IB pathway is ideal for students who prefer a broad curriculum and are willing to work hard in a structured environment, even when faced with subjects that challenge them.

Students can transfer from other curriculums like GCSEs with no special preparation. It offers a broad curriculum made up of six subject groups, and students usually study three at standard level and three at higher level. The IB has been shown to significantly outperform A-Levels in developing qualities such as a global outlook, open-mindedness, self-management, coping under pressure, and analytical thinking.

“In both the UK and US there is near total agreement that the IBDP is the best qualification to prepare students to thrive at university.” – University Admissions Officers Report 2016

If you’re interested to learn more, you’ll find our article about the differences between the IB and A Levels a helpful place to start.

Why is the UK such a great destination for an IB education?

There’s a huge choice of international IB schools in the UK (boys, girls and mixed, along with day schools and boarding). It’s a popular destination for so many families because of the high quality of education that’s offered here, and there’s a large concentration of international students with diverse backgrounds, which means that students feel more at home in a multicultural community.

When the time comes to start applying to universities, an IB qualification stands you in good stead. The many high-profile higher education institutions in the UK, like the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, UCL and the London School of Economics, all recognise the IB as a top-quality, broad curriculum which promotes critical thinking and independent learning, and also prepares young people for the workplace.

Join a community of leading IB schools in the UK

ACS International Schools is a leading voice in IB education and an active member of a community of IB schools in the UK, with a network of strong partnerships and collaborations. We play an important role not just in educating the students of today, but also in designing the IB education of the future.

We recently partnered with IBSCA (IB Schools & Colleges Association) on a joint research project, the Future Skills Report. This report considered how we ensure the IB education meets the needs of a changing (and challenging) world, and that students are adequately prepared to face current challenges, but can also pre-empt, identify and plan to tackle issues that are yet to arise.

We’re also in the process of releasing a new-look, updated University Admissions Officers report, again in partnership with the IB and IBSCA.

Why choose ACS International Schools for the IB?

With a global mindset, a strong sense of community, a well-rounded and personalised approach, and state-of-the-art facilities, it’s easy to see why ACS is the largest international schools group in the UK in terms of student numbers. Whether you study at Cobham, Egham or Hillingdon, our mission is to ensure that students leave ACS ready for whatever comes next.

We’ve taught the IB for 50 years, and many of our teachers are in demand as IB examiners, also presenting at IB conferences and leading global IB webinars. We have a number of IB authors, including Keely Rogers, a history teacher at ACS Egham. (ACS Egham was also an international leader in the development of the MYP eAssessment, (the middle years assessment in the IB).

Get to know us

If you’re interested in exploring an IB education with ACS International Schools, we’d love to help you with your decision. All three schools are situated in convenient locations across London, close to the city centre, with excellent transport links. Each school is unique in terms of its offering, but all three schools deliver the IB curriculum, with excellent results year on year.

We’re always really happy to answer any questions you have. Get in touch with us, or visit our website where you can book a tour of Egham, Cobham or Hillingdon.