Students in the UK, studying the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, are more likely to achieve a first class honours award at degree level and go on to higher paid jobs after graduation compared with their contemporaries taking A levels or equivalent qualifications a new study has revealed.

The growing popularity of studying the IB in the UK has meant that there are now sufficient numbers to make comparisons between IB students and those holding the more traditional A levels and Scottish Higher qualifications. The report, by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) and commissioned by the IB Organisation (IBO) has taken an overview of IB student characteristics and analysed enrolment patterns at top universities, chosen subjects, achievement and non-continuation rates, as well as activities approximately six months after leaving college.

The study has found that IB students are more likely to be enrolled at one of the UK's top 20 Higher Education Institutions than entrants holding other qualifications. Almost 19% of IB students achieved a first class honours award in a first degree compared with 14.5% of first degree qualifiers who held A Level or equivalent qualifications. More than double the number of IB students attended top universities compared with A Level students.

The study also reveals that six months after leaving college IB students are more likely to be employed in graduate level jobs and in higher paid occupations than A Level and equivalent students, and it would seem a greater proportion of IB than A level leavers are employed within professional, scientific and technical activities.

Adrian Kearney, IB Regional Director for Africa, Europe and the Middle East said, "These results reinforce yet again that the IB Diploma Programme gives students the knowledge, skills and attitudes that enables them to excel in university. The programme is well recognised by the world's leading universities and truly prepares students for the working world."