Welcome to the IB Diploma at Varndean College
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For those who haven’t heard of the International Baccalaureate Diploma before, the choices can be daunting.
Here at Varndean College we have been running the IB since 2007 and believe the Diploma programme offers a broad and rewarding alternative to A-level study which empowers learners to be active global citizens who pursue a range of destinations post-18.
The IB Diploma at Varndean provides a unique opportunity for the young people of Sussex to retain a broad curriculum offer post-16, widen their global understanding and obtain world beating results ensuring they are able to study at some of the best universities in the UK.
The aim of this page is to explain the key features of the IB Diploma and why here at Varndean College we are proud to offer the programme and currently stand as the only state funded sixth form college or school in Sussex to offer the Diploma.
The IB Diploma is an exciting and popular alternative to A Levels. You should consider it seriously if you:
are a well-organised student who enjoys a wide range of subjects and activities and who is keen not to narrow your education too early
want a course that will extend and challenge you personally and intellectually
want a course that will encourage you to think independently and to speak and write well in more than one language
want to keep all your university and career options open at 16 plus
want an international qualification, which is recognised all over the world for your future career
The IB Diploma is taught worldwide and is internationally recognised and understood by universities and employers as excellent preparation for further study or employment. It is administered by the International Baccalaureate Organisation, a body which is independent of any government and which has an international perspective.
What is the IB Diploma?
How is the IB different to A-levels?
What can I study as a Diploma student at Varndean?
What is The Core, CAS, EE and ToK?
How is the Diploma graded?
How would I be assessed?
What do I need to pass?
TAKE A LOOK AT OUR LATEST PROSPECTUS BELOW TO FIND OUT ALL OF THE ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS PLUS MORE!
If after exploring our prospectus and this page you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact our admissions team via information@varndean.ac.uk, or contact our IB Diploma Programme Coordinator Lee Finlay-Gray directly via lzg@varndean.ac.uk.
IB Prospectus 2025 (FINAL).pdfThese two short videos produced by the International Baccalaureate Organisation give some unique insight into the IB Diploma here in the UK
How do our IB students perform?
How do our IB students perform?
May 2024 result headlines
Average score 34.57 (Global 30.3)
Pass rate 98% (Global 80.1%)
Mean subject score 5.45 (Global 4.8)
High grades 7-6 46.8%
High grades 7-5 77.8%
35+ points 49% (Global 35.6%)
40+ points 13% (Global 11.1%)
Top score 43 points
EE pass rate 100% (Global 98%)
EE high grades A-B = 48.94% (Global 37%)
ToK pass rate 100% (Global 99%)
ToK high grades A-B = 72.34% (Global 45.1%)
Class of 2023
Class of 2022
Class of 2021
Class of 2020
Class of 2019
Class of 2018
Alumni - What do ex-students do after they have finished university?
Alumni - What do ex-students do after they have finished university?
Natasha, Class of 2011 - Studied Theology at Oxford, now a comedy writer with the BBC
Natasha, Class of 2011 - Studied Theology at Oxford, now a comedy writer with the BBC
My favourite thing about the IB was the variety and international focus of the whole curriculum. It felt like I was broadening my horizons beyond the occasionally narrow scope of British education.
University didn’t feel like a dramatic step up. The extended essay component helped to give me the skills to pursue my academic areas of interest independently and gave me the confidence to pursue education outside of lesson plans.
The IB gave me a wider base of knowledge than I would have had otherwise and that's meant I can hold my own in conversations with people across a variety of bizarre niches. As a comedy writer, being able to draw on such a variety of extra knowledge is always useful for writers rooms and joke writing. It also means that if I ever decide to have a dramatic career change later in life, I've got a wider choice of which direction to go in!
Sam, Class of 2013 - Studied International Relations at Exeter, now works at the Foreign Office in the communication division.
Sam, Class of 2013 - Studied International Relations at Exeter, now works at the Foreign Office in the communication division.
The International Baccalaureate at Varndean set me up perfectly for University and postgraduate study. The course promoted independent thought and strong organisational skills that are invaluable in later studies.
Varndean is a unique college - it really feels like a stepping stone between school and university. The teachers are fantastic and treat you like adults. The campus-feel of Varndean was lovely, particularly in the summer when we regularly revised outside in the quads.
I made life-long friends during my time on the IB. Our tight-knit group supported one another throughout the 2 year course. I also really personally valued the inclusivity and diversity of the course. My fellow students came from all walks of life and from all over the world.
Jake, Class of 2015 - Human, Social, Political Sciences at King’s College Cambridge, now working at an international strategic communications and public affairs consultancy NGO
Jake, Class of 2015 - Human, Social, Political Sciences at King’s College Cambridge, now working at an international strategic communications and public affairs consultancy NGO
What I loved most about the IB was getting to study a breadth of subjects instead of having to specialise so early on in education. We were encouraged to see the benefits of interdisciplinarity and bringing critical perspectives into our thinking, reading and writing across the curriculum. This was particularly helpful for studying Human, Social, Political Sciences at university, where being able to critically engage with all the texts I encountered was key. The breadth of knowledge I acquired from the IB was also a specific point of support for me at uni. I would say that it helped to bridge the gap between a low-income, state school, first-generation student such as myself and other students who had the benefits of private education and parents who were educated to university level.
I am still close with several friends from the IB. One of them I went to university with and then even worked with at the same international PR and public affairs agency after graduating.
Currently I work at a responsible investment NGO, and I can see how the IB has informed the interests that led me here. What excites me about the work I do is looking at the intersection between political, economic, social and cultural contexts, and how an understanding of this can be used to challenge and reshape the financial sector to better meet human and environmental needs. This interdisciplinarity and critical perspective required to do this seems to me like a typically IB approach to thinking about the world.
CAS
CAS
We will shortly be collating some of the amazing work our students have completed over the years in relation to Creativity, Activity and Service.
Watch this space!
FAQ
FAQ
How can I find out more about the subjects and content I would be learning?
Read the IB’s Subject Briefs and Subject Guides on this page
What is the Learner Profile?
The IB educates the whole person, intellectually, morally and emotionally and the IB learner profile plays an important part in this, featuring all of the skills and qualities the Diploma aims to teach and develop in its learners during the two years.
These qualities are nurtured explicitly via specifications, subject content and assessment, or sometimes more implicitly via the teaching and learning methods our trained and experienced IB teachers employ in the classroom. The Core and Tutorial programme also play an impotent role in developing these skills.
What grades do I need to study on the IB?
A mixture of at least 7 GCSEs at Grade 6 or above, including English, Maths and Science. In addition, certain subjects at both Standard and Higher Level have particular subject requirements. For further information please refer to our separate IBD Prospectus.
What sort of grades do students achieve on the IB at Varndean?
Our average point score is between 34 and 36 and around one third of our students achieve 40 points or more making us one of the top of the sixth form and state school IB providers in the UK
I have read something about needed a specific calculator as an IB student. Which one do I need?
All IB students need a Graphical Display Calculator in order to complete the maths course regardless of type or level.
The calculator we suggest students purchase is a Casio FX-CG50. It represents the best value for money and functionality.
Please speak with your teacher before buying any other model as many are banned by the IB.
Your teacher will teach you how to use it, and can support you in finding ways to purchase it a little cheaper.
Do UK Universities accept the IB?
The Diploma is recognised by more than 170 UK universities
For the most up to date requirements its best to visit https://www.ucas.com and search for your preferred degree course and institution
What countries accept the IB around the world?
There are a significant number of universities around the world who accept the IB Diploma as qualification for entry, however every country’s position or requirements are different. Therefore students wishing to study at university abroad should check the country-specific requirements and the entry requirements of individual universities on the IBO website here: https://www.ibo.org/university-admission/find-countries-and-universities-that-recognize-the-ib
Can I take the IB at Varndean if I am studying abroad, and not taking GCSEs?
If you have the right to live and study in the UK then we can discuss your application further. Please email information@varndean.ac.uk to find out more.
Please note that in these circumstances we are likely to ask you to share your last two school reports with us at application, and for you to complete an English, Maths and Science test to better understand your suitability for the programme.
Can I study the IB Diploma as a fee paying international student, living with a host family?
Yes you can. Please visit https://varndean.ac.uk/international to find out more
How does the IB's mission and philosophy align with Varndean's?
The IB's mission is: The IB develops inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through education that builds intercultural understanding and respect. https://www.ibo.org/about-the-ib/mission/
Varndean college's mission is: TO TRANSFORM THE LIVES OF OUR STUDENTS AND OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH OUR PROVISION OF EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATION.
Our values are:
We inspire academic excellence, high expectations and a thirst for knowledge, developing a curiosity and passion for lifelong learning.
We have a dynamic culture which engages staff and students, celebrates achievement, encourages innovation, and strives for continual improvement.
We enable true social mobility for all student groups providing the environment, support and opportunities that every student needs to succeed in order to narrow gaps within society.
Equality and diversity is at the heart of all we do. We promote understanding and respect for different cultures and communities, in college, locally and globally.
We provide excellent opportunities for enrichment, well-being and pastoral support so that we build resilient, happy and successful students who flourish in life.
Environmental sustainability is at our core, we are committed to carbon literacy, becoming carbon neutral and developing our estate as an area of biodiversity.
We believe in inspirational governance, leadership and managementand invest in our staff, empowering a confident, diverse and energised workforce.
We responsibly use public funds and provide value for money to safeguard the financial stability of the College to bring maximum benefit to our local community
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