noun

IB

eye-BEE

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IB (noun) means the International Baccalaureate: an international education programme, best known for its Diploma Programme for students aged sixteen to nineteen, which is taught in schools worldwide and accepted for university entry in many countries. Example: “She did the IB rather than A-levels.”

noun

The International Baccalaureate: an international education programme, best known for its Diploma Programme for students aged sixteen to nineteen, which is taught in schools worldwide and accepted for university entry in many countries.

"She did the IB rather than A-levels."

"His school switched to the IB three years ago."

informal, jargon Investment banking, in finance and recruitment shorthand.

"He went into IB straight out of university."

How to use IB

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn international school qualification taken instead of A-levels.

When to use it

Standard in education contexts worldwide. Nearly always used as the initialism.

Memory tip

Take the article an before IB, because the initialism is read starting with the vowel sound 'eye'.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

AP A-levels IGCSE

Common pairings

IB Diploma IB student do the IB IB score IB curriculum

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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She did the _____ rather than A-levels.

Etymology

An initialism of International Baccalaureate.

Origin: English

Synonyms

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International Baccalaureate IB Diploma

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between IB and A-levels?

The IB Diploma requires six subjects across a broad spread, plus an extended essay, a theory of knowledge course and a creativity-activity-service component. A-levels let students specialise in three or four subjects. IB suits breadth and international mobility; A-levels suit early specialisation, and both are accepted by UK universities.

What is the IB scored out of?

The Diploma is marked out of 45: six subjects worth up to 7 points each, giving 42, plus up to 3 bonus points from the extended essay and theory of knowledge. Twenty-four points is the usual minimum to pass.

Is the IB harder than AP?

They are demanding in different ways. AP courses are taken individually and are assessed by a single exam, so students can pick just one or two. The IB Diploma is a whole programme with compulsory components and coursework, so the workload is broader and more sustained.

What is the meaning of IB?

"IB" (noun) means the International Baccalaureate: an international education programme, best known for its Diploma Programme for students aged sixteen to nineteen, which is taught in schools worldwide and accepted for university entry in many countries.

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