Funding for the International Baccalaureate in state schools

What is the International Baccalaureate?

The International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) offers educational programmes and qualifications for all school phases. It is a non-profit organisation with headquarters in Geneva.

The International Baccalaureate Diploma is offered by some state-funded and independent schools and colleges in England as an alternative to, or alongside, A Levels and equivalents. Some settings may also offer another IB programme, the IB Career-related Programme.

The IB Diploma is structured differently to A Levels. Students typically study six subjects over the course of a two-year programme, some at ‘standard level’ and some at ‘higher level’, plus a common core including:

• Creativity, activity and service
• Extended essay
• Theory of knowledge

The maximum IB point score for a student taking three higher and three standard subjects, plus the core, is 45.

How many schools in England offer the IB?

In 2024, 3,000 students at 68 schools and colleges in England took the IB. The majority (55%) of these students were at the 48 independent schools which had students entering the IB. Only 20 state-funded schools entered students in the IB in 2024. This compares to around 300,000 students taking A Levels in 2,112 state-funded schools and colleges and 522 independent schools in England in 2024.

(Source: DfE, A level and other 16 to 18 results, 2023/24 (16 to 18 institution level 2024 final data - Schools and colleges (subject entries and grades) dataset))

Current funding arrangements, and proposed changes

Currently, students taking a full IB Diploma and achieving a minimum point score of 28 attract additional funding (known as Large Programme Uplift) of 20% to their institution. The government considers a score of 28 to broadly equivalent to a B grade at A Level. The uplift funding is on top of base student funding.

In October 2025, the education press reported that the IB would no longer attract a Large Programme Uplift from 2026/27, but there would be transitional arrangements.

In response to a recent parliamentary question, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said:

[N]ext year, we will invest £800 million extra in 16-to-19 funding. We have sought to refocus the large programme uplift that sits alongside that investment on maths and STEM for those studying four or more A-levels, because we think that is important for our industrial strategy priorities, but there will be transitional protections for those schools affected. Students will still be able to study for the IB, and schools will be welcome and able to offer it through the funding streams they receive.

Wider policy context Post-16 reform

In October 2025, the government published a post-16 skills and education white paper. This does not directly mention the International Baccalaureate, but does confirm the government’s intention to “make ‘V Levels’ the only pathway of vocational qualifications at level 3 for young people. These will sit alongside A levels and T Levels, providing simplicity and clarity as well as quality.” V Levels will be replacements for current vocational technical qualifications.

National curriculum review

England’s national curriculum was last reviewed under the Coalition Government. Alongside this, the way GCSEs and A Levels were structured and examined was also reformed. For most subjects, assessment was by exam at the end of the course (‘linear assessments’) and reliance on coursework, or non-exam assessment, was reduced. New curriculum content was introduced in stages from September 2013 onwards. ‘SATs’, or national curriculum assessments in school year six, were also reformed.

On taking office, the Labour government announced a review of the national curriculum and assessment in England. The aim, it said, was to create “a broader, richer, cutting-edge curriculum that drives high and rising schools’ standards” which “delivers excellent foundations in reading, writing and maths, and ensures every young person gets the opportunity to develop creative, digital, and speaking and listening skills particularly prized by employers.” It would also consider barriers to attainment for disadvantaged groups, including those from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds, and learners with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

The review is being chaired by Professor Becky Francis and is supported by a review panel. Information on the review’s terms of reference, and panel membership, can be found in a DfE website article.

A short interim report was published in March 2025.

Commentary on IB funding decision

The International Baccalaureate Organization is calling on the government to revisit its decision on funding, saying the changes were “deeply disheartening and will make it extremely difficult for state schools in England to continue offering the IB Diploma and Career-related Programme”. It said the savings to the DfE would be “minimal” but that there would be “significant costs to students in loss of choice and opportunity ... Nearly 5,000 students will lose access to programmes critical to future success.”

Similarly, the IB Schools and Colleges Association has criticised the decision, calling it “disastrous”, and saying it was made:

without consulting school and college leaders, and without regard for the impact that a reduction in available academic pathways will have on the affected communities

Press articles and other material

• “School scraps IB in favour of A-levels as government funding pulled”, The Times, 26 October 2025 (subscription required)
• “Oxfordshire school to lose £75,000 in funding”, BBC News, 23 October 2025
• “‘Deeply disheartening’ as funding pulled for International Baccalaureate”, The Times (subscription required), 9 October 2025
• “Labour cuts funding for state school IB diplomas”, The Observer, 9 October 2025
• Duxbury, Vicky, and others/ JISC, for the International Baccalaureate Organization, International Baccalaureate students studying at UK higher education institutions: How do they perform in comparison with A level students?, February 2021