Views of a previous IB student who is now a highly successful international businessman

The IB I took in 1989, seems not to have changed at all: six subjects to take at a mixture of higher and standard level, with the Theory of Knowledge, CAS and Extended Essay in the core.  This is exactly as it was.  I wonder how many changes there have been to A levels since then?

When I took it, I was no Mathematician and would never have chosen Maths at A level.   All students must study Maths with non-mathematicians taking Maths studies at standard level.  How glad I am that I continued with my Maths for it is Maths, above all, that has been so useful to me, certainly in my MA and MBA post-graduate studies, but also in the real world of business and finance that I now find myself in.

Even in 1989, Universities were happy to accept IBD points as A level equivalents and I understand now that it is universally accepted in British universities as an equivalent (or higher) qualification for university entrance.  And, of course, not just in British universities, for IBD is exactly what it says, an international qualification.  In theory, you could begin your two year study in one country and finish it in another.  Apart from this, its breadth makes it so attractive as well as the fact that the contribution students might make to the community through the CAS programme can contribute towards your final tally of points (I was involved in the Atlantic College beach rescue programme where not only did I learn about handling the sea and life-saving, but I could have been involved in real life rescues!).

I suppose it is the internationalism of the IBD which really attracted me and truly broadened the outlook of a little lad from Lincolnshire!  Since my college days, I have studied in Belgium and Paris and have worked in London, Sweden, Australia, Hong Kong and the USA.

I applaud Tollbar’s venture into the world of the International Baccalaureate.  IBD has been on the go for many years, is growing and will continue to offer your students a rich and rewarding future!

Richard Taylor, IB Student (1987-1989)