IB & International Applicants
UK universities assess IB and international applicants slightly differently from A-Level students, and small misunderstandings - about predicted grades, points conversion, or which qualification universities prefer - can cost places. These guides are written for IB Diploma candidates and international applicants navigating UCAS.
We cover how IB predicted grades are set and used, how IB scores convert to UCAS tariff points, whether UK universities prefer the IB or A-Levels, and the full picture for IB students applying to UK universities. For overseas applicants, we walk through the international application route end to end.
Pair these with the UCAS Application Process guides for deadlines and offers, and with your subject's Entry Requirements guide to confirm the specific IB Higher Level subjects and points each course expects.
Guides in this category
- IB Students Applying to UK Universities: The Full Guide - Everything IB students applying to UK universities need: entry requirements, UCAS tariff points, HL subject choices, offer types, and key deadlines.
- IB to UCAS Points: The Complete Conversion Guide - Convert IB grades to UCAS tariff points with our clear breakdown of HL, SL, and core scores - plus how UK universities actually use IB offers.
- Do UK Universities Prefer IB or A-Levels? - Do UK universities prefer IB or A-levels? The honest answer: neither. Universities set equivalent offers for both. Here's how the comparison actually works.
- International Students Applying to UK Universities: Full Guide - A complete guide for international students applying to UK universities - UCAS steps, deadlines, English tests, qualification recognition, fees and visas.