How the IB diploma allows you to apply to international universities

When I was finishing high school, I was an overseas student living in Hong Kong with family and friends all over the world, unsure of what I wanted to study let alone in which country I wanted to do it in. I ended up applying to both the UK and Australia, not knowing which side of the world I would end up on. Ultimately I decided to come to Australia at the University of Melbourne. Having completed the IB diploma definitely made the international application process easier. 

Perks of IB in terms of attending university internationally: 

1. Internationally recognised curriculum 

Universities globally recognise the IB diploma certificate, meaning that if you want to check the entry requirements for a course overseas, you will be able to easily find a required IB score for entry. This allows you to easily compare your current marks/predicted grades to the school’s expectations, allowing you to have more peace of mind about which courses are likely to accept you. Easily accessing the entry requirements saves one less headache when navigating different university application systems. 

2. Globally focused curriculum

One advantage of studying IB is that it is designed to be globally focused, not just nationally. You will therefore explore case studies across different countries, cultures and political systems when completing your course, and this can definitely make you more open-minded. This can be a great advantage if you’re planning on studying in a new country, as you will likely have some background knowledge of the current events or culture of your new location thanks to the IB. It also means that all of your knowledge won’t be all about Australia, which can be too niche and a bit limiting if you travel somewhere new.

3. Well-regarded graduates 

IB is well known internationally as an academically rigorous certificate that requires students to show strong academic foundations, and universities know this too. Completing the IB shows you are a well-rounded, well-adjusted young person, which is exactly the kind of student that universities want to accept! 

A step-by-step guide to international applications:

Applying to international universities can be a daunting process. Every country has a different system, different timelines and different due dates for university applications, and often school counsellors are less knowledgeable about these systems, which can add anxiety to an already stressful final year of school. While these differences make it tricky to create a one-size-fits-all guide, I have summarised below 2 of the major locations students often want to go to: the UK and the USA. 

The United Kingdom: 

1. Choose your university courses on UCAS (this is the centralised platform which you will apply to university with, it is similar to the system each state in Australia uses, such as VTAC). You will choose 5 university preferences, and your application will be sent to all of them at the same time. 
2. Fill in your UCAS information - it will ask for not only information about your grades but also extracurricular activities, volunteering, relevant work experience etc. 
3. Write a personal statement - you must submit a 1-page personal statement along with your UCAS application, this is where you can show admissions judges what makes you passionate about the course you want to study!
4. Submit! - Your application will be sent to the universities for consideration, you will hear back from them sometime in the coming months after applications close. 

The United States of America

Applying to the US can be slightly more complicated, but in general, you will apply through the centralised system Common App. You will also need to write a personal statement, but US universities require a compelling narrative about you as a person, rather than solely displaying your interest in a course. Additionally, the US places greater weight on extracurricular activities and leadership experience, but overall the application process is very similar to the one listed above. There is no limit of 5 universities on the US Common App like in the UK, in reality, you are able to apply to up to 20 colleges if you so choose! Definitely research the specific application process of any university you’re interested in in the US. 

Key dates: 

The most important thing when planning to apply internationally is to keep key dates in mind! There are many important deadlines for applications that you don’t want to miss, or it could mean missing out on being considered. Calendars and reminders are your best friend. 

Some general key dates: 

USA September 2025 intake closing dates: January 2025, however some universities have open applications until as late as April/May

UK September UCAS closing date: 29th January 2025 

*If you want to study medicine, or apply to Cambridge or Oxford, you will need to submit an application by October 2024

The biggest takeaway to remember when applying internationally is to Research Research Research! Look into the universities you want to attend and make sure you know exactly when and how you need to submit your application. This can be a tricky and overwhelming process, but you are building great independence skills which you will need for your studies abroad. 

Want more personalized study guidance to help drastically improve your marks? A private tutor can make the biggest difference!

Written by KIS Academics Tutor for IB Science, Hannah Pruscino. Hannah is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Biomedicine at the University of Melbourne. You can view Hannah's profile here and request her as a tutor.