Is IBDP more difficult than University?

When comparing the IB to other study options, complexity is typically increased twofold. So when comparing the IB and university, it's pretty possible that you're asking which is harder between the two.

We've done a ton of study to determine whether the IB or university option would be better.

We've done everything we can to find the most accurate response to this question, from researching information gleaned from online forums to interviewing former IB students.

This blog will compare the IB and university from the perspective of a student to assist you in deciding which path is best for you.

Start right away.

All that You Need to Know About IB and University

If you conduct an online search comparing IB and University, you'll discover that different people have varied opinions on which is easier, superior, or more interesting.

Okay, these opinions are valid, especially in light of the fact that they draw on individuals' individual experiences.

Because there are so many different opinions—many of them by their very nature subjective—in this piece, neither the IB nor the university are claimed to be better than the other.

After reading this blog, it will be up to you to decide whether or not to study IB before college. 

1. IB vs University: Workload

Workload is, perhaps, one of the concerns that students always have when considering their education options.

You should anticipate a heavier burden in IB for the two years than you would in your first year of college.

• Study six subjects in IB, three in SL and three in HL.

• Complete internal Assessments

• Write a 4000-worded Extended Essay

• Really crack your Theory of knowledge Presentation and Essay.

• Finish 150 hours of CAS projects.

That is a lot more work for one person, but you must commit to working harder if you want to graduate from the two-year program with an IB diploma.

Whereas, the university presents more in terms of complexity and depth than high school, especially from your second through your last year. It is just slightly more challenging.

2. IB vs University: Free Time

There will always be a ton of work at school, so make sure you block out enough time to finish all of your assignments on time and in accordance with your teacher's instructions.

Depending on whether you're studying for the IB or enrolling in a college course, you might or might not have a lot of free time to pursue your personal goals. You’ll hardly have enough free time to yourself if you enroll in the IB program.

You might feel that you don't want to continue with the IB program since you don't have as much spare time as you'd like to have to yourself. The best advice would be to choose topics that interest you or those you've always wanted to learn more about.

You will be able to appreciate the IB program even though you won't have enough free time to hang out with your pals.

Whereas, it’s a completely different case in the university.

It won't be as difficult and intense in your first year of university as it was in IB. Because the first year consists primarily of review material that isn't too technical to handle, you'll have a lot more spare time on your hands.

Even though IB students don't typically have a lot of free time, being in the program helps them be ready for college and prepares them for the challenges they will face after their first year of college.

In spite of the fact that it won't be as difficult as your first year, your second year in college will undoubtedly be more difficult than the first two years of the IB program.  That's because you'll study entirely new stuff beginning in the second year.

3. IB vs University: Type of Course

Well, three SL courses and three HL courses are required as part of the curriculum. IB generally seems to be difficult, and the program doesn't seem to be flexible, according to the structure of the framework.

IB may still be valuable because it helps you be ready for the rigorous nature of college-level work.

Despite not adhering to the same stringent selection standards as the IB program, the university provides a wide range of academic selections.

In other words, you can pick whether to enroll in college and what you want to study there.

Well, this is not all, there are a few more questions to be answered.

1. Is IB really more difficult than University?

The IB diploma course is more demanding than most university courses.

Despite the program's difficulty, enrolling in it results in you becoming a critical thinker and developing strong writing skills.

2. Do IB Students Do Better at Universities? 

The IB curriculum assists students in developing into knowledgeable and caring individuals. The program encourages critical thinking and prepares students to solve problems both inside and outside of the classroom.

Students who earn the IB diploma outperform those who take A-levels in university. And, IB students are 38% more likely than other learners to graduate from a university with a degree. 

3. Do Universities Prefer A-Levels or IB?

The A-levels and IB are two distinct courses that take a different approach. Universities, on the other hand, do not favor one over the other.

According to our understanding, A-levels and IB are equally engaging, and thus many universities regard them as academically challenging qualifications.

As a result, whether you studied IB or A-level is irrelevant. The only thing that matters is that you have studied the appropriate subjects in your IB or A-levels.

4. Do Universities Care About IB?

Some universities in the United States value IB diplomas and may consider your application based on them.

Some colleges will even give you credit for the diploma if your score exceeds a certain threshold.

A FINAL verdict

Students frequently compare the IB and university programs in order to determine which is more difficult.

Unfortunately, there is no simple solution because "tough" is a relative term in this situation. Some students believe the IB is more difficult than higher education. Others, on the other hand, believe that university is far more difficult than the IB program.

Whatever your thoughts are on the workload and difficulty of IB vs. university, we can all agree that both systems are critical now and in the years following graduation.