Does Oxford Prefer IB or A Levels? Inside the Real Admissions Choice

Ever sat there panicking, scrolling through forums, thinking, "Will Oxford like my A Levels more than the IB?" You're not alone. This question haunts students as soon as they start plotting their sixth form path. Here's the thing: Oxford doesn’t officially prefer the IB or A Levels—they care about subject choices, grades, and, honestly, your passion for your subject.

Whether you’re doing the IB or A Levels, both are respected. Oxford spells this out plainly on their website. They just want to make sure you’re taking the right subjects for your chosen course and smashing the top grades. No golden ticket system. They’ve been accepting students from both qualifications for decades—one isn’t a magic formula over the other.

So, what’s the actual difference when it comes to entry requirements? We’ll break it down, show you what really matters, and give you some solid tips for picking the combination that fits you best. No smoke and mirrors—just the facts that will help you plan your next move without the guesswork.

• How Oxford Views IB and A Levels
• Entry Requirements: Breaking Down The Numbers
• Tips for Choosing Your Subjects
• Common Myths and Must-Know Facts

How Oxford Views IB and A Levels

Oxford gets flooded every year with questions about whether the Oxford admissions team likes the IB or A Levels more. It’s time to clear the air: They don’t have a favorite. Both qualifications are accepted for every single undergraduate course. If you check Oxford’s official admissions statistics or any subject-specific page, you’ll see this in black and white—no advantage either way.

Here’s what really matters: your subject choices and actual grades. For example, picking the right combo (like Maths and Physics for Engineering, or Biology and Chemistry for Medicine) is way more important than whether those are IB Higher Levels or A Levels. And, Oxford is super clear that predicted and achieved grades have to be sky high—think straight As or 6s and 7s at IB HL. They compare candidates side by side without preference for the exam board.

Still not sure? Check out this quick table showing the entry benchmarks for a couple of popular Oxford courses (as listed in June 2025):

If you’re an IB candidate, Oxford will focus heavily on your Higher Level subjects—Standard Levels rarely cut it if the subject is core to your chosen degree. For A Levels, your three top subjects matter most (or four, if you’re feeling brave and it makes sense for your course).

In the end, Oxford wants students who show curiosity, a love for learning, and the grit to handle their degree. The label on your certificate doesn’t sway them; what’s written in the grade boxes does.

Entry Requirements: Breaking Down The Numbers

You want the actual numbers? Here they are. Oxford lists clear entry requirements for both IB and A Levels, and they don’t leave much room for guessing. The big thing to remember: it all depends on what course you’re applying for. Medicine and Maths are the tough ones, but even History or English have their own very real hurdles.

Let’s check the basics for the most popular subjects. Look at what Oxford usually expects:

For Oxford, it’s not about the qualification itself but the grades and subjects. They want top marks—A*AA or AAA if you’re on A Levels, and usually a 38 or 39 total if you’re on the IB, with a 6 or 7 in your main subjects at Higher Level.

Here’s where folks get tripped up: subject choice. If you pick three easy A Levels just for the grades, Oxford won’t be impressed. You need to pick the right ones for your course (like Chemistry for Medicine, Maths for Economics, English for, well, English…). The IB makes you take a broader range, but your Higher Levels matter most.

• Make sure you’re taking the right subjects for your chosen Oxford course.
• You might be asked for specific scores in certain subjects, not just the overall score.
• No bonus points for taking four A Levels or extra subjects unless the course asks for it.

If your school doesn’t offer a subject, Oxford says just mention that in your application—they get it, not every school can offer everything. What really counts is showing you can handle tough subjects and come out on top.

Tips for Choosing Your Subjects

You’d be surprised how much subject choice can make or break your Oxford application. It's not just about racking up A*s or 7s. Want to know what Oxford really wants? They look at the actual subjects you pick. No point applying for Physics with History, Art, and Psychology on your transcript—unless you have a wild new take on string theory, that’s a fast track to the no pile.

Here’s what actually matters for choosing A Level subjects or IB courses:

• Oxford has "essential" subjects for almost every course. Take English Literature if you’re eyeing English; Maths and Further Maths for Physics or Engineering; Chemistry for Medicine (plus Biology or Maths helps, too).
• Check the official course page on the Oxford site. They spell out the must-have subjects. Ignore what your cousin’s friend’s dog told you—go straight to the source.
• Try to keep your options open. If you can’t decide between two courses, pick subjects that are required for both. For example, Maths, Chemistry, and Biology keeps Medicine, Bio, and Chemistry degrees on the table for A Levels.
• Don’t overload on "soft" subjects (like Media Studies or General Studies) if you can avoid it. Oxford won’t reject you because of one, but packing your application with them can look weak compared to applicants coming in strong with classic academic subjects.
• For IB, pick Higher Level (HL) subjects that line up with your intended course. Pretty much every offer wants HLs in the core subjects—no shortcuts.

Lots of applicants stress over how many subjects to take. Three solid A Levels is completely fine—four only helps if you genuinely love and ace all of them. For IB, focus on scoring high in your HLs; Standard Levels rarely sway admissions either way.

The sixth form years are stressful enough—don’t add pressure by second guessing every move. Stick to the facts, ask your teachers for advice, and put your energy into smashing those grades in the subjects Oxford actually cares about.

Common Myths and Must-Know Facts

It’s amazing how many rumors swirl around Oxford admissions. Seriously, it feels like everyone knows a friend of a friend who claims they have "insider info"—but most of it isn’t true. If you want the straight-up facts, this is your stop.

• Myth: Oxford only wants IB students because it’s more global or rigorous. Nope. Both A Levels and IB are accepted, and each year more students are admitted with A Levels than IB simply because more UK applicants take A Levels. The playing field is level—Oxford cares about high grades in the right subjects, not which program you took.
• Myth: IB gives you an advantage in the application process. Not really. The main IB benefit is that you study a wider range of subjects, which can help keep more courses open if you’re still deciding. But for Oxford, it boils down to the specific requirements for your chosen course.
• Myth: Oxford has higher grade boundaries for A Level students than for IB students. Actually, the grade requirements are set to match each qualification’s standards. Nobody’s making it harder for A Level students, despite what people say.
• Myth: You need to study the IB to apply for international courses or to be considered for scholarships. Not true. What matters most are your actual results and subject choices, not the qualification label.

Here are some need-to-know facts pulled straight from recent admissions cycles:

The Oxford admissions team looks for top marks, but it’s not just a numbers game. They read your personal statement, check out your reference, and your test (if required) still matters. If you’re shortlisted, interviews play a big part too. It’s all about showing you love your subject and you’re keen to learn—not just where your grades came from.

Want to boost your chances? Here’s what actually helps:

• Pick the right subjects at A Level or IB higher level (always check your course’s page, e.g., Computer Science almost always wants A Level or HL Maths).
• Focus on getting top grades, but don’t stress if you’re not a “straight 9s” student—context matters, and Oxford checks out your background too.
• Read around your subject and mention it in your personal statement. Real passion trumps buzzwords every time.
• If you’re worried, contact the Oxford admissions office. They answer real questions, not just copy-paste replies.

Bottom line: Don’t pick IB or A Levels because you think Oxford has a favorite. Choose the qualification (and subjects) that makes sense for you and lets you shine. There’s no secret hack—just honest work and smart subject choices.