UK IB Diploma 2021 Results

LIVE: UK IB Results Table 2021

After another turbulent year for education, the IB results for the 2020-21 academic year are in – and students at state and independent schools in the UK are celebrating an average score of 37.74, well above the global average of 32.99.

Students at schools in the UK received their International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) and Career-related Programme (IBCP) results today (July 6) following another disruptive year in education due to Covid-19. Whilst most UK exam boards cancelled in-school examinations this summer, the International Baccalaureate Organisation took the decision this year to offer schools a dual route option: written examinations, where they could be administered safely, or a non-exam route using a combination of internal assessment coursework and teacher-predicted grades, where they could not.

A total of 170,660 students worldwide took the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) or Career-related Programme (IBCP) this year. 104,275 were in the non-exam route and 65,576 in the exam route (and 809 were split between both routes). The number of students taking the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) was 87,307 compared to 86,657 last May.

In the UK, all schools had to take the non-exam route "on the basis that local examinations have also been cancelled for students in the UK and because for many schools in the UK it is very unlikely that examinations will be able to be administered due to ongoing disruption".

• The UK's average IBDP score is 37.74, which surpasses the global average; it is also 1.5% higher than last year’s UK average
• A total of 189 students in the UK achieved the highest score of 45
• The total number of top scorers with 45 points has risen globally to 1,155 – three times that of last year's 339
• Number of students receiving their IB results in the UK this year is 5,189
• Global average IBDP score is 32.99, a 1.6% rise on the average score of 31.34 in May 2020
• The UK pass rate is 98.7%; the global pass rate is 88% (85% in May 2020)
• 42% of students achieved 40-plus points
• The UK's IBDP average grade is 5.9, higher than the global average of 5.19

The minimum point requirement for the award of the Diploma is 23 points with the highest award being 45 points.

Despite all the upheaval of the Covid-19 pandemic, the IB's dual route option of exam or non-exam assessments has seen a rise in pass rates, average scores, diploma scores and the number of students achieving the top score. 

Commenting on the IB's global results, Olli-Pekka Heinonen, Director General of the International Baccalaureate, said:

"A key responsibility of the IB this year has been to ensure that our students are not disadvantaged by the pandemic, including in their applications to university and higher education. The many changes we have made to this summer’s session are part of this commitment to ensure students are not affected by the hugely challenging circumstances in which they have been learning."

The two-year IBDP programme is currently offered at 119 state and independent schools in the UK; the IBCP is offered at 47 schools in the country.

Read more:
Where to Study the IB in the UK?
IB Results: What to Do if You Don’t Get The Points?

IB Results Roundup 2021

Brentwood School

IBDP students at Brentwood School, an independent day and boarding co-ed school in Essex, are celebrating an average score of 40. Top scoring student Elizabeth Akeju achieved 45 points, and will be heading to Imperial College London to study Medicine.

Other successes include Bosnian boarding student Din Tolj, who joined the school on a full bursary and scored 44; he has a full scholarship to Yale University US. The school has a very international student community, with boys and girls coming from countries including Nigeria, Italy, Denmark, the US, Hong Kong and Ukraine.

King Edward's School, Birmingham

At King Edward’s School, Birmingham, the average score has risen to over 40 points (40.3) for the first time. The maximum score of 45 points was achieved by seven boys, Rohil Aurora, Louis Bowker, Mahmoud El Ashry, Pratyush Ghosh, Bavesh Jawahar, Michael Luo and Nithi Sendhil.

A further 20 students at this independent all-boys day school scored either 44 or 43 points, and 62% of the cohort of 99 boys celebrated scores of 40 points or above.

Pratyush Ghosh, who achieved the maximum 45 points and will read French and Spanish at Brasenose College, Oxford, said:

“I feel amazing – fulfilled, ecstatic, content! I’m looking forward to taking what I’ve learnt from the whole experience of IB into my university studies and can’t wait to get started.”

Impington International College

Students at the non-selective secondary school Impington International College have achieved an average point score of 36. The school, which introduced the IB in 1991, is one of only 23 schools in the state sector offering the IBDP and IBCP.

There was a 100% pass rate and 26% of students attained 40 points or more, with four students achieving 44 or 45. The cohort have received offers at Oxbridge, Russell Group and other leading international universities along with a number of top drama schools to study a variety of subjects including Biology, Law, Acting and Psychology.

Fettes College

Students at Fettes College in Edinburgh scored an impressive average of 39.4 points. Just over half the cohort at this independent school for boys and girls gained 40 points, while 72% gained or exceeded a score of 38 points. Five students achieving top marks of 45.

International School of London

International School of London said its 2021 average score of 36.6 was "testament to the incredible work ethic of our students - and the amazing teachers, parents and wider ISL community who support them". The pass rate was 100%, the highest score was 45, and  just under 40% of students achieved 40-plus points.

Royal High School, Bath

Royal High School, Bath IB students have achieved an impressive average score of 40 out of a possible total of 45. Over half of students achieved 40-plus points, and three students (Emily Bleakley, Leila Lambert and Marigold Whitaker) achieved top marks with 45 points.

Congratulating this year's cohort, the school's IB coordinator Jude Taylor, said: "They have dealt with more uncertainty than most young people of their age, and have become remarkably resilient as a result."

Malvern College 

At Malvern College, 47% of the cohort achieved at least 40 points and above (out of a maximum of 45 points). Two students were awarded the highest possible score of 45 points. The school has not yet published its average score.

Sevenoaks School

The cohort of 235 at Sevenoaks School achieved the school’s highest ever average diploma score of 41.3 points. Thirty students achieved the maximum 45 points, with 48 scoring 44 points and another 38 scoring 43; almost 75% of the cohort achieved 40 points or more.  94% of students at this day and boarding school in Kent achieved a place at their firm-choice university.

North London Collegiate School (NLCS)

North London Collegiate School (NLCS) is celebrating its strongest performance of any cohort of NLCS students since the school started offering the IB Diploma in 2004. The cohort achieved an average score of just over 43, and 31% gained the 'perfect score' of 45 points.

Sarah Clark, Headmistress said, “These results are a superb testament to the talent, hard work and commitment of our students and their teachers, and we congratulate our new IB graduates on such a remarkable achievement”.

Windermere School

The Class of 2021 at  Windermere School achieved the highest IB average result in the school’s history, with a score of 36.3. A total of 40 students sat the IB this year and there was a 96% pass rate. 31% achieved 40 points or more, 71.4% gained 34 points and one student, Grace King, achieved the maximum score of 45 points.

Headmaster, Ian Lavender said:

“I am especially pleased to announce that the IB results published this morning are the best such results in the history of Windermere School. The IB continues to be moderated internationally, and despite the difficulties of 2021, we have obtained our best mean score ever of 36.3 points.

"This is an exceptional accomplishment for a small, non-selective school. Our staff go above and beyond to ensure that our students achieve more than they might have thought possible, and this has certainly been the case with the examination results that have been published today.”

Scarborough College 

Students at the co-ed Scarborough College in North Yorkshire achieved an average score of 35.3, with 25% of the cohort gaining 40 points or above.

Headington School, Oxford

A cohort of 18 girls at Headington School, Oxford celebrated the school's final set of IB results, with the school moving to A Levels only for next year’s graduating class. These included Sophie, whose perfect score of 45 points has secured her a place at New College, Oxford, to study Politics, Philosophy and Economics.

Sophie, one of Headington’s Music Scholars, said: “I’m really, really pleased because it meant I could go to the university I wanted. I don’t think it’s really sunk in yet, the fact I have left the School forever, but at the same time I am staying in Oxford which is nice.

“I think Headington has done a really good job over the last two years, having a lot of face to face teaching which was a really good replacement.”

The Abbey

The Abbey students have achieved another year of strong results with the average across the cohort of 40 points, which is well in above the global average; it matches last year's average of 40 too. Three students at the independent school in Reading for girls achieved a top score of 45.

ACS International School Cobham

The average IB point score for ACS Cobham students in 2021 was 37, which is above the world average of 33 points, and is the equivalent of achieving four A*s at A Level. Almost half of ACS Cobham students achieved 38 points or above, with the highest score achieved being 45/45.

Barnaby Sandow, Head of School, ACS Cobham, said:

“I am enormously proud of this year’s graduating IB students. Throughout their two years studying the DP they have faced endless challenges and disruption, but they have come out the other end with exceptional academic results and will enter the rest of their lives with a new kind of resilience and tenacity. A number of our students will now go on to some of the top universities in the world, while others will confidently pursue individual passions and interests and prepare for high-level post-secondary opportunities in sport, creative industries, and business and enterprise.”

Reflecting on his time at ACS Cobham, Ben, added:

“I think ACS Cobham's strengths lie in its people. Whenever I travel between different schools, I always end up remembering the calibre of each teacher and student rather than the location itself. Many of the teachers at this school have been wonderful and I've met some great friends over the last two years.”

In addition to the DP, the school offers the US High School Diploma and Advanced Placement (AP) programmes as alternatives to A Levels. ACS Cobham’s AP results will be released in August.

ACS International School Egham

While the world average for IB results this year was 33, ACS Egham students achieved an average point score of 37. Over 50% of ACS Egham students scored 38 or above and the top score achieved was 45/45. Almost a third (30%) of ACS Egham students received a Bilingual Diploma, which is awarded to candidates who opt to study two language courses and receive a grade 3 or higher or who complete courses taught in another language. Languages studied by ACS Egham students include: Dutch, French, German and Spanish.

Jeremy Lewis, Head of School, ACS Egham, said:

"On behalf of all teachers and staff at ACS Egham, I would like to say a huge congratulations to this year's graduating class. Despite obvious disruption during their two year course, they have continued to shine and go above and beyond to achieve success. ACS Egham offers the IB's programmes of education throughout all stages of the school, with the DP being a culmination of everything students have learnt throughout their time with us. I can see that this year's graduates will go forward encompassing all areas of the IB learner profile: as inquiring, caring, principled and balanced individuals."

ACS Egham student Will, who has accepted an offer at the University of Oxford, added:

"My subject-specific understanding and skills gained from my Higher Level subjects – Maths, Physics and Chemistry – prepared me not only for university-entrance interviews and exams, but also for my future studies at university. The IB also demands a wide range of soft skills, from problem solving and critical thinking to organisation and teamwork, that will prove highly valuable."

ACS International School Hillingdon

ACS Hillingdon students achieved an average point score of 37, the top score was 45 and 57% of students scored 38 or above. 25% of students also received Bilingual Diplomas including French, German, Norwegian and Spanish.

Martin Hall, Head of School, ACS Hillingdon, said:

"Sincere congratulations to all of our graduating IB students; you have achieved incredible academic results, all while navigating the various challenges thrown at you during the last couple of school years. The DP is a rigorous course that challenges students to reach their full academic potential, but it also involves a range of service-learning and critical thinking related modules which enable students to develop vital personal and social skills. The class of 2021 has graduated as well-rounded, global citizens ready to succeed on whatever path they choose.”

Prateek, a 2021 ACS Hillingdon graduate, said:

“I really appreciated the diversity of students and staff, and got to learn about a lot of different cultures. This is something that I will encounter in the future, at university and in work, so the fact that I got accustomed to such an environment so early on, is wonderful.”

In addition to the DP, the school offers the US High School Diploma and Advanced Placement (AP) programmes as alternatives to A Levels. ACS Hillingdon’s AP results will be released in August.

Stonyhurst College

Stonyhurst College celebrated an average score of 37.8, with 71% of its students achieving 36 or more points. A third of the cohort achieved more than 40 points. There was a 100% pass rate for both the IB Diploma and Career-related Programmes.

John  Browne,  Headmaster  of  Stonyhurst,  said:

"The International Baccalaureate Programme at Stonyhurst continues to flourish. The Jesuit concept of having ‘one foot in the air’, ready for the next challenge, has perhaps never been more relevant, and the way that our young people have energised themselves during this challenging year has been inspirational.

"The global nature of some of the university destinations demonstrates the ambition of our Stonyhurst students. The IB philosophy promotes international-mindedness and a broad and challenging curriculum which has prepared these fine young people so well for the next stage of their educational journey."

Marymount London

The May 2021 cohort at Marymount London are celebrating the school's highest ever average score - 38.1. Two students achieved 45/45 and there was a 100% pass rate; 46% of students achieved 40 points or more (as compared to 40.63% last year); and 36% of students were awarded the Bilingual Diploma.

Rossall School

Students at the independent co-ed Rossall School are celebrating a 35 point average, which is one point higher than last year; more than 25% of the cohort were awarded 39 points or above.

Haileybury

The Class of 2021 at the independent boarding school Haileybury achieved an average score of 39 points, one point higher than last year and a record-breaking two points higher than the previous best average in the school's history. Three students were awarded 45 points.

The school says: "Congratulations to the class of 2021 you have all shown immense resilience and academic strength in what has proven to be continually challenging circumstances."

Worth School

Sixth Formers at the Catholic boarding and day school in Sussex, Worth, received a strong set of results for 2021. There was a 100% pass rate, the average score was 36.04, and one top scorer with 45. A quarter of students scored 40-plus points.

Naomi Williams, IB Coordinator, said:

“The entire IB team is delighted with the results achieved by this year’s Diploma cohort. Everyone has had to work with such additional challenges during the last 18 months and it is testament to the hard work of the students and the dedication of their teachers that such impressive results have been the end result. All of our students are so very much more than can be represented in a single score at the end of a two-year course, nevertheless we are immensely proud of what these numbers represent.”

Dwight School London

Dwight School London has reported a high average score of 37.8.

Bromsgrove School

The average IB score achieved by the cohort of 69 students at Bromsgrove School is 40.1. Almost two-thirds scored 40 or more points and four students achieved the 45 point maximum.

Sidcot School

Felsted School

Felsted has announced its best ever performance in the IB Diploma Programme, with an average point score of 37 out of a possible 45, and a 100% pass rate for the cohort of 39 students. Across all subjects 92% of results were a Level 5 or better (equivalent to a B grade at A level) and 70% a Level 6 or 7 (equivalent to an A or A* at A Level).

Westbourne School

Westbourne is celebrating an average score of 39. The all-through independent school in the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales remains one of the country's top-performing sixth forms, with 50% of Westbourne students achieving over 40 points.

Ellesmere College

More than 15 years after the IB was introduced at Ellesmere College as an alternative to A Levels, and students are celebrating an average score of 36. The 2021 Ellesmere IB results saw 100% pass rate with 43% achieving 40 or more points.

Headmaster at Ellesmere College, Brendan Wignall, said:

"I am delighted for our pupils who have done so well in the International Baccalaureate Diploma programme. I commend them for how well they adjusted to the various disruption to their school life over the duration of this 2-year course, but they moved to online learning and back seamlessly, they have certainly worked very hard and achieved an excellent set of results. They are exceptionally well prepared for university following the rigorous demands of this course of study."

St Leonards School

Results are in for the day and boarding school in Fife – and the school's average is 34 this year, with outgoing joint Head Boy Duncan Bouchard achieving the highest possible score of 45 points. Other results at Scotland's only all-IB sixth form included a high score of 44 for Lara Bell, and a place at the University of Oxford for Zina Gharakhani.

Wellington College

At Wellington College, 13 students scored a maximum 45 points, a new College record, and the average IB score was 41 points; 73% scored above 40 points, and 87% secured over 38 points.

TASIS - The American School in England

TASIS - The American School in England celebrated an average score of 36.

ICS London

King Ethelbert School

Students at the mixed state secondary school, King Ethelbert School, are cel­e­brat­ing another year of strong results in the Inter­na­tional Bac­calau­re­ate Career-​related Pro­gramme. Sixth Form students study a ‘Career Related Study’ such as a Level 3 BTEC Diploma or BTEC Extended Diploma, combined with two academic IB Diploma subjects. There was a 95% pass rate and 13% of all subjects were at the top IB grades of 7-5. 

Headteacher Vicky Willis said:

"Stu­dents have worked through chal­leng­ing and chang­ing cir­cum­stances this year. They are a ter­rific bunch of young peo­ple who have shown immense char­ac­ter, espe­cially in the last few months, and we are really proud of them.

"Once again we have seen how the IBCP pro­gramme sup­ports our young peo­ple in really find­ing their pas­sions and devel­op­ing their wider skills along­side rig­or­ous, aca­d­e­mic stud­ies. Our stu­dents are off to a wide range of excit­ing and chal­leng­ing next steps.”

Next: UK IBDP Results Table 2021