IB Prospectus 2025 DIGI Singles - Flipbook - Page 12
AFTER THE DIPLOMA
What our past students say about the IB
On average around 80% of our IB students go straight on to
university study each year, the vast majority of which secure
places at Russell Group Universities here in the UK via the
UCAS system, however a small number also make applications
to overseas.
I look back fondly at my time at Varndean. The IB changed the way
I approach learning. It showed me just how much there is to be
learned. It instilled in me independence, curiosity, and creativity. The
teachers are poised to guide you through the wealth of knowledge. But
they also demand confidence. You learn how to formulate your ideas.
This has been useful in navigating both my academic career and my life.
I will always be so thankful. So... Thank you!"
For more information exploring why UK Universities like the IB
so much and why they seek to attract Diploma graduates, visit
our website at www.varndean.ac.uk/ib
(Anonymous feedback provided as part of our recent 5 year review
evaluation process)
Some of our learners also embark on Art Foundation
programmes, or take gap years. Nearly all of these students
then go on to University and receive University application
support from the college.
What I loved most about the IB was getting to study a breadth of
subjects instead of having to specialise so early on in education.
We were encouraged to see the benefits of interdisciplinarity and
bringing critical perspectives into our thinking, reading and writing
across the curriculum. This was particularly helpful for studying
Human, Social, Political Sciences at university, where being able to
critically engage with all the texts I encountered was key. The breadth
of knowledge I acquired from the IB was also a specific point of
support for me at uni. I would say that it helped to bridge the gap
between a low-income, state school, first-generation student such as
myself and other students who had the benefits of private education
and parents who were educated to university level."
For our most up to date post Diploma destinations and
information from our IB Alumni please visit our dedicated IB
webpage.
Students wishing to study at university abroad should check
country-speci昀椀c requirements and the entry requirements of
individual universities on the IBO website at:
www.ibo.org/university-admission/昀椀nd-countries-anduniversities-that-recognize-the-ib/
“
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Jake Kroeger, class of 2015
“
I really enjoyed how much learning in the IB is self-directed and
the academic freedom that offers, it really stimulated me in a way
that school didn't and gave me a great platform of study skills and
broad interests to enjoy university life. At the same time, it pushed me
to study things I'd not realised I would enjoy, and enriched my life
outside of my studies hugely, feeding into my eclectic current job which
covers education, community work, conservation, and research. I had
some brilliant teachers and made some great friends who I still see
regularly, 10 years after we started."
Joe Boyle, class of 2013
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