IB: International Baccalaureate in Oxford 2025

• A comprehensive interdisciplinary approach

If in the A-level course the student focuses on 3-4 disciplines, in the IB we are talking about a full-fledged broad course that provides comprehensive and in-depth knowledge in six subject groups, including the field of exact and natural sciences, foreign languages, and social sciences. Graduates of IB schools are more erudite and less limited in their career choices.

• Hands-on training

A mandatory element of the IB is CAS – Creativity and Active Service. Its functional role is to allow students to learn based on their experience, realizing their own priorities through extracurricular activities, which, in turn, contributes to the formation of a holistic and motivated personality.

• Busy student life and transport accessibility

Oxford has everything you need for a full-fledged study, interesting and bright leisure, intensive sports, countless libraries and shops, clubs and museums, galleries and exhibition centers. For those who find this not enough, it is enough to take a train - fortunately, it takes less than an hour to get to the British capital from here.

• Good chances of getting into university

According to HESA, a statistical agency in the field of higher education, IB school graduates have an 18% better chance of entering the TOP-20 British higher education institutions and 27% in the TOP-10 American universities.

• Development of research skills

The IB course includes Extended Essay (4000 word extended essay) and Theory of Knowledge: these elements of the program require students to actively develop research skills and high self-discipline, which will be a significant help in higher education and will help them achieve career success.

• Classical English close to the literary norm

Despite globalization and the trend towards unification, modern British English has dozens of dialects, many of which are quite far from the "Oxford-Cambridge" norm of international English. Speakers without prior training can be difficult to understand, let alone fully interact! Studying at the IB school in Oxford minimizes this factor, because Oxford English is a universal norm, so you don't have to relearn.

Oxford schools offering International Baccalaureate programs willingly accept expats, including potential students from Russia. Usually, you need to go through a short interview with an admissions officer (in person or online, via video call) and write a test to confirm your level of English. The rules for conducting tests vary from school to school, but as a rule, tests include 3-4 tasks for speaking, reading, listening and grammar. Some schools suggest writing a short essay.

If the level of English is not enough for a comfortable stay and study in an English-speaking country, the student may be offered to take a preparatory program or supplement their studies at the IB school with additional classes in English as a foreign language (may be paid separately).

It is necessary to prepare a package of documents - its completeness varies from school to school. As a rule, it includes references from the previous school, a report card or extract for several years, letters of recommendation and motivation, as well as documents confirming the payment of the registration fee (without them, the application will not be considered).

The surroundings of Oxford are very picturesque, and the industry has left these places so long ago that the ecological situation is safe and stable. A typical portrait of an IB school in Oxford is a spacious and safe, carefully fenced and well-guarded area, one or more residences, often located in old buildings, surrounded by golf or football courses, shady parks or lawns.

Of course, each school has its own advantages, each boasts an excellent variety of equipment, modern laboratories, an excellent selection of educational literature, and access to full-text databases. All this is complemented by dozens, if not hundreds, of clubs, a variety of available sports, and excellent infrastructure.

Two living scenarios are the most popular:

• specially selected professional foster families (this option is suitable for younger children and those who would like to immerse themselves in the English language environment as fully as possible),
• Accommodation in the residence on a boarding basis. In this case, schoolchildren live in rooms with a capacity of 1 to 4 people, with amenities in the room or on the floor. The residences are equipped with lounges and kitchen areas, laundry facilities, etc.

Adult students can also rent housing or use the services of student residences in the city, accommodation centers.

The food is healthy and balanced: in the first case, students eat with their host families, in the second - in the school cafeteria. If desired and necessary, it is possible to agree on a special menu that takes into account food restrictions.

Each such school has a medical unit with nurses and sometimes doctors on constant duty. 

Of course, quality education by definition cannot be cheap. For a year of study, you will have to pay from £24,000 to 52,000 : this cost usually includes accommodation, meals, all kinds of study materials, a health insurance policy and some extracurricular activities.

It is important to take into account possible additional costs, in particular those related to transfers and visa hassles. Some schools charge a deposit for proof of place, and all have registration fees. In addition, UK laws require every minor international student studying in the country to have a professional guardian. Guardians are selected by a specialized agency, its services are also usually paid additionally. Additional costs may arise if the child has difficulties with academic performance and needs additional classes in languages, mathematics or something else if he wants to attend some event. Finally, a modern teenager definitely needs pocket money.

Often the total amount can be reduced: our specialists will be happy to tell you if you have the opportunity to receive a discount or apply for a grant or scholarship.