When considering international schools abroad or boarding schools in countries like the UK and Malaysia, many parents encounter the same initial question.
“What are A-Levels? And how are they different from the IB (International Baccalaureate)?”
The curricula adopted by international schools worldwide can be broadly divided into two main systems: the British curriculum (A-Level / IGCSE) and the International Baccalaureate (IB). The British curriculum can be a particularly powerful pathway, especially if your child has strengths in STEM subjects or is the type who wishes to study a specific field in depth.
On the other hand, concerns like “Isn’t the IB more versatile?” or “Are A-Levels too difficult?” are common.
This article will provide a clear explanation of the British curriculum structure (IGCSE and A-Level), compare its advantages against the IB, discuss university admission outcomes, and offer a comprehensive look at the realistic challenges that students from non-English speaking backgrounds often face and how to overcome them.
An Overview of the British Curriculum: From IGCSE to A-Level
The most significant feature of the British education system is its principle of “increasing specialization and narrowing down subjects with age (deep and narrow)”. The latter part of secondary education is composed of the following two stages:
- IGCSE (Years 10-11 / Ages 14-16): Broad foundational knowledge
- A-Level (Years 12-13 / Ages 16-18): Specialized, university-level courses
1. IGCSE (Years 10-11): The Foundation for Choice and Focus
The IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) is the international version of the GCSE, the qualification marking the end of compulsory education in the UK.
- Number of Subjects: Students typically take 5 to 10 subjects.
- Structure: In addition to compulsory subjects (English, Mathematics, Science), students choose freely from a range of elective subjects such as History, Geography, Economics, Arts, and Foreign Languages.
- Assessment: Students take standardized exams at the end of the two-year course. Grades are awarded on the traditional “A* (A-star) to G” scale or the newer “9 to 1” scale (with 9 being the highest).
Identifying one's strongest subjects at this stage is the key to success in the subsequent A-Level program and, ultimately, university admissions.
2. A-Level (Years 12-13): The Global “Gold Standard”
A-Level (Advanced Level) is a university entrance qualification. Students who have completed their IGCSEs study for an additional two years.
- Number of Subjects: Students typically narrow their focus to just 3 or 4 subjects (e.g., only Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry).
- Characteristics: Because subjects are narrowed down so much, the depth of study for each subject is profound, delving into content equivalent to the first-year university level in Japan.
- Structure:
- AS Level (Year 1): Represents half the content of a full A-Level.
- A2 Level (Year 2): Builds upon the AS Level content.
- Together, these two components form the full A-Level qualification.
The essence of A-Level is to “drop the subjects you dislike and thoroughly develop your strengths,” which is why it is highly regarded by top universities worldwide as the “gold standard.”
A-Level vs. IB (International Baccalaureate): A Detailed Comparison | Which is Better?
We often receive inquiries from parents who are undecided between an IB school and an A-Level school when choosing an international school in Malaysia. The short answer is that the right choice depends on your child’s learning style and target universities. Please refer to the comparison table below.
Feature | A-Level (British) | IB Diploma (International Baccalaureate) |
|---|---|---|
Learning Style | Deep and Narrow (Specialization) | Broad and Holistic |
Number of Subjects | 3-4 subjects (Can focus only on strengths) | 6 subjects (A balance of arts and sciences is required) |
Core Requirements | None (No need to take weaker subjects) | Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Extended Essay (EE), and CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) are mandatory |
Assessment Method | Tends to be based on final exams (Linear) | Final exams + Internal Assessments (IA) |
Best Suited For | ・Students with clear strengths, such as in STEM | ・All-rounders |
Impact on University Admissions | Strong for universities that value specialization (e.g., UK, Singapore) | Strong for universities that value a well-rounded profile (e.g., US, liberal arts colleges) |
A-Levels are Ideal for STEM Paths (Medicine, Engineering)
If your child is considering a future as an engineer or wants to study medicine, A-Levels are often more advantageous. This is because while the IB requires subjects in languages and humanities, A-Levels allow a student to focus exclusively on subjects like “Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry” to aim for top scores (A*).
How A-Levels are Valued by Top Universities Worldwide
A-Levels are recognized as a university entrance qualification not only in the UK but also worldwide, including in the United States (including the Ivy League), Singapore, Australia, and for Japanese medical schools.
The Russell Group’s “Informed Choices”
The Russell Group, a consortium of leading UK universities, recommends certain high school subjects that are essential for success in university studies. These are known as Facilitating Subjects.
- Mathematics / Further Mathematics
- English Literature
- Physics / Biology / Chemistry
- Geography / History
- Languages
Achieving high grades (A* or A) in these key subjects at A-Level can be a passport to universities like Oxford and Cambridge (Oxbridge).
The “A-Level Wall”: Real Challenges for Non-Native English Speakers
After reading this far, you might think, “A-Levels sound easy since you only have to do what you’re good at.” However, the reality is that many international students from non-English speaking backgrounds struggle to keep up with their classes.
The biggest reasons for this are the barriers of Academic English and analytical writing skills.
1. The English in STEM Subjects is Deceptively Difficult
The belief that “I’m good at calculations, so math will be fine” is a misconception. STEM subjects in IGCSE and A-Level are not just about computation.
- Biology: Requires memorizing a vast amount of specialized terminology (Terms). You must be able to logically explain processes like photosynthesis in English.
- Physics: Features many written questions that require you to define phenomena and analyze experimental results.
2. Humanities Subjects are Determined by Essays
If you choose subjects like Economics or History, you are not assessed on rote memorization but on essay writing based on Critical Thinking. You will be required to logically argue points like “Why did inflation occur?” or “Was the response effective?” in essays of several hundred words. This is a skill not typically acquired in general English conversation schools (focused on daily conversation).
3. The Pace is Incredibly Fast
In top-tier or academically rigorous schools, it’s not uncommon to complete the two-year curriculum in 18 months, dedicating the remaining time to exam preparation. For non-native English speaking students, understanding these fast-paced lessons without prior study is an immense challenge.
The Key to Success: Pre-studying Subjects “in English”
To achieve high grades (A*/A) in A-Levels or IGCSE and get into your desired university, waiting until “your English improves before studying the subjects” is too late.
It is essential to take the following steps before moving abroad or while attending a local school:
- Pre-learning Terminology: Input the specialized terms used in math and science classes in English beforehand.
- Conceptual Understanding: Ensure a solid grasp of concepts that might be difficult to understand when explained in English, using Japanese support if necessary.
- Analytical Writing Practice: Practice answering open-ended questions logically in English.
Why ELT Excels in the British Curriculum
ELT is not just an English conversation school. Based on our experience providing academic tutoring to expatriate families in London, we have instructors with extensive experience teaching the IGCSE and A-Level curricula.
- Specialized STEM Tutoring: We provide instruction in English for Science and Math, areas where non-native speakers often face challenges.
- British Curriculum Alignment: Our preparation and review sessions align with the Cambridge and Edexcel syllabuses.
- Bilingual Support: When needed, our Japanese consultants can assist with creating a study plan.
Before your child loses confidence thinking, “I can’t understand my science class at all…,” we invite you to try ELT’s “subject-based learning”. We will help you and your child maximize the benefits of the British curriculum and provide the support you need.
