European Baccalaureate and International Baccalaureate: what are the differences?

The European Baccalaureate and the International Baccalaureate are both diplomas awarded at the end of secondary education.
Internationally recognised, these diplomas have a dual purpose: to certify successful completion of secondary education and to serve as a gateway to higher education.

These diplomas come from two different programmes: the European Baccalaureate and the International Baccalaureate.
Although these two programmes share common objectives, they differ significantly in terms of entry requirements, curriculum, structure and international recognition.
 

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

European Baccalaureate vs International Baccalaureate

  • The European Baccalaureate programme is only organised in European schools and accredited European schools. Places in these schools are mainly reserved for the children of officials and employees of European Union institutions.
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  • The International Baccalaureate programme is organised in IB (International Baccalaureate) accredited international schools. The International Baccalaureate is the name commonly given to the Diploma Programme of the International Baccalaureate Organisation. The IB is an internationally recognised programme. At present, 5600 schools around the world teach the IB.
    Enrolment in an accredited international school is therefore a prerequisite for access to the IB programme.
    Several international schools in Brussels offer IB programmes.
    > International Baccalaureate schools in Brussels

 

STRUCTURE

European Baccalaureate vs International Baccalaureate

  • Secondary education in European Schools is divided into 7 years over 3 cycles. The 3rd and final cycle of secondary education is the European Baccalaureate cycle. This cycle covers two years: S6 (6th year) and S7 (7th year).
     

    EUROPEAN SECONDARY SCHOOL CYCLES CLASSES AGES
    Cycle 1 1-3 11-13
    Cycle 2 4-5 14-15
    CYCLE 3 – EUROPEAN BACCALAUREATE CYCLE 6-7 16-18

    The European Baccalaureate diploma lasts 2 years and is awarded at the end of the 7th year of secondary school.

    European Baccalaureate International Baccalaureate

  • The IB comprises several international education programmes. The diploma programme is the one that leads to the International Baccalaureate.
     

    IB PROGRAMMES AGES
    Primary Years Programme 3-11
    Middle Years Programme (MYP) 11-16
    DIPLOMA PROGRAMME – INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE 16-19

     
    The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme lasts two years. After these two years, the International Baccalaureate is awarded on successful completion of the 2nd year examinations.

 

CURRICULUM

European Baccalaureate vs International Baccalaureate

  • The European Baccalaureate focuses on a balanced education in specific subjects, including languages, science, mathematics, humanities and physical education. Students have the opportunity to study several subjects and can specialise in a particular discipline.
  • In contrast, the International Baccalaureate offers a broader and more diversified curriculum. It is made up of six subject groups: languages, humanities, mathematics, experimental sciences, arts and individual and society studies. It also includes cross-curricular components such as Theory of Knowledge (TOK), the Creativity, Action and Service Project (CAS) and the Extended Essay.

 

INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION

European Baccalaureate vs International Baccalaureate

European Baccalaureate (EB)

  • Recognition in Europe: The EB is widely recognized throughout Europe for access to higher education. It is treated as equivalent to national secondary school leaving diplomas in EU member countries, meaning that an EB holder can apply to universities and higher education institutions across Europe on the same basis as a holder of a national diploma.
  • International Recognition: While the EB is primarily intended for recognition within Europe, it is also acknowledged by some universities and institutions outside of Europe, though this recognition may be less systematic compared to the International Baccalaureate (IB).

International Baccalaureate (IB)

    The International Baccalaureate is a diploma program offered by numerous international schools around the world. It is designed to be universally applicable and accepted across different educational systems.

  • Global Recognition: The IB is recognized globally. Universities and higher education institutions in many countries (including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and others) accept the IB diploma for admission, often granting equivalencies or university credits for courses completed within the IB program.
  • Recognition in Europe: In Europe, the IB is also well recognized and accepted, sometimes even preferentially compared to national diplomas or the European Baccalaureate due to the rigor and universality of the IB program.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

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