Thousands of students will collect their IB results today and discover if they have made the grade for entry into the university of their choice. And, according to new research commissioned by ACS International schools (ACS), the IB is likely to have taken them half-way there. The survey asked UK, US and European university admissions officers to rate the IB and the alternative examinations systems and results highlight the IB Diploma as more highly regarded in almost all categories.

Choosing the right school and considering all the choices along the way can be a major worry for relocating parents, and, in the context of current education debate, keeping up with changes can seem overwhelming. This year has seen a large number of proposed developments to the English education system and assessment methods in the independent sector. The coalition government has placed the current state curriculum under scrutiny, sparking fierce debate from education leaders and industry over its future direction.

The IB Diploma Programme is a qualification for students aged 16 to 19. It is based around detailed academic study of a wide range of subjects. It is made up of a compulsory 'core', plus six separate subjects where students have some choice of subjects. 

The compulsory core contains three elements: 

The IB MYP is a programme intended for 11 to 16 year olds. The full programme lasts for approximately five years and subjects taught are divided into eight subject groups: 

• First language (usually the student's mother tongue)
• Second language
• Humanities
• Sciences
• Mathematics
• Arts
• Physical education
• Technology

The programme has five ‘areas of interaction’ which establishes the core of the programme: 

The IB PYP is a programme for students aged 3 to12; it helps to prepare the student for the next stage of the IB programme - the Middle Years Programme (MYP) - but it is not a requirement. It encourages the basic principles of the IB, i.e. the development of the whole child as an independent enquiring thinker who understands their place in the world. 

The IB PYP focuses on getting children interested in their own learning by helping them to investigate subjects that they are curious about. It encourages children to make connections between different pieces of information, and, in doing so, increase their understanding of how the world works. This inquiry-based approach to learning enables children to build on their individual knowledge through an emphasis on learning how to learn, and how to find out. The curriculum is designed to ensure that children also receive a sound grounding in the traditional basics of literacy and numeracy, whilst placing emphasis on broad communication skills, problem-solving skills, teamwork, and the ability to apply learning to new situations.