Recent figures released have shown that International Baccalaureate programmes have boomed in popularity in the United Kingdom, with a 600% rise in schools offering the diploma over the last decade.

The International Baccalaureate Organization in Geneva have forecast that the current figure of 210 schools offering the IB will rocket up to 400 over the next three years, based upon current trends and the number of enquiries they have received from education institutions. One major growth area for the IB in the UK is in academies, 9 of which have been approved to offer the diploma.

As a growing rival to the A-Level qualifications undertaken by the majority of UK students, the IB features several key differences; whilst A level students generally study 3 subjects the IB encourages students to follow 6 subjects as well as carrying out 180 hours of “creativity, action and service” which can include volunteering, sports and other activities.

Education experts have highlighted the strengths of both A-Levels and the IB, suggesting that the former is more appropriate for students who wish to specialise in certain subjects whilst the latter offers a wider range of study areas.

To find out more about the IB diploma visit the International Baccalaureate Organization at http://www.ibo.org/