<p>Hi BrownPennLover</p>
<p>I think A-levels are generally a better preparation for Oxford degrees, as long as you pick the right A-level subjects (some of the “softer” A-levels are frowned upon by Oxford and Cambridge). Don’t get me wrong, the IB is a fantastic qualification and IB students definitely can get into Oxford. Also, because of the compulsory breadth of the IB I think it’s in many ways more difficult and time-consuming than the three or four A-levels that most UK high school students study.</p>
<p>However, most Oxford degrees are quite specialized (you start studying your major straight away, and often do not have to study anything outside your major). For this reason, a broad, unspecialized liberal arts background (such as that provided by the IB) won’t necessarily make you competitive for admissions at Oxford. You will normally benefit from in-depth preparation for your major while you’re still at high school (and A-levels, with no compulsory curriculum, make it easier to specialize and do this).</p>
<p>If you do well on the IB it could give you an edge in some of the humanities or social science subjects where a broad background is useful (e.g. Philosophy, Politics and Economics). For the hard sciences, I think it could count against you. You’ll be up against some applicants who have studied five or six math/science subjects at A-level, and it’s hard to compete against their technical skills/knowledge when you’ve spent most of your time at school on other subjects.</p>
<p>But remember: how well you do on the Oxford entrance interview is more important than your grades or what exam system you’ve come from (provided you at least meet the minimum grade requirements for your system). Hope that helps.</p>