Will the IB Disappear from UK State Schools?

The future of the International Baccalaureate (IB) in UK state education is uncertain. The UK government has announced that it will withdraw funding for the IB Diploma Programme from the 2026–27 academic year. The decision has been criticised by school leaders who warn it could bring an end to IB programmes in state schools across the country.

Government Confirms End of IB Funding in State Schools

Around 20 state schools in the UK currently offer the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) as an alternative to A Levels. The IB allows students to study six subjects, including languages, sciences, humanities and mathematics, while encouraging critical thinking, global awareness and independent learning.

Until now, each school has received an additional £2,400 per IB student in government funding on top of the standard post-16 funding that all students receive.  That funding will end in 2026. Instead, the Department for Education plans to redirect the money toward students taking four or more A Levels that include maths, further maths, and either a science or design technology.

A Department for Education spokesperson said:

“Schools and colleges will retain the freedom to decide what programmes of study to offer regardless of these changes, which are aimed at prioritising subjects we know lead to good jobs and drive economic growth.

“Our common sense reforms ensure the greatest value for money for the taxpayer and will equip young people with the skills they need for their future careers.”

The decision affects around 5,000 students. Current IB students will be able to finish their courses, but schools offering the qualification after 2026 will have to do so without any additional financial support from the government.

School Leaders Call the Decision “Educational Vandalism”

The announcement has caused widespread concern among educators. Jesse Elzinga, Head of Sevenoaks School in Kent, called the move “vandalism”, saying it “shrinks opportunity and ambition for thousands of young people.”

Gareth Parker-Jones, Head of Rugby School, described it as “a drive to reductive beige uniformity in education”. He said the IB’s breadth and emphasis on making connections between different areas of knowledge develops exactly the kind of thinking skills needed in an age of artificial intelligence.

The IB Schools and Colleges Association (IBSCA) said the decision was “deeply disheartening”. Chief Executive Richard Markham warned that it “creates uncertainty for pupils, parents and staff” and risks turning the IB into a qualification “only available to those who can afford private education”.

State School Response: Europa School UK Speaks Out

Among state schools currently offering the IB, Europa School UK in Oxfordshire has been the first to respond publicly. In a letter to parents, Europa confirmed that the government’s Large Programme Uplift funding, which contributes around 20 percent of its IB budget, will end after a one-year transitional period in 2026–27.

The school described the cut as a “serious concern” and said it is reviewing how to sustain the IB Diploma in the long term without government funding. Europa is Oxfordshire’s only state school offering the IB free of charge to all students.

Other state schools offering the IB have not yet issued formal statements, but several are understood to be reviewing their future options.

The UK State Schools Offering the IB Diploma Programme

According to WhichSchoolAdvisor’s guide Which UK State Schools Offer the IB (updated August 2024), the following state schools and colleges currently offer the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP):

What the Funding Cut Means for State IB Schools

Without government funding, most state schools will find it very difficult to continue offering the IB Diploma. The IB requires smaller class sizes, more teaching hours and additional staff training. Many schools will not have the resources to cover these costs.

If no alternative funding is found, the IB may disappear from the state sector altogether. This would leave the qualification largely in the hands of independent schools such as Sevenoaks, North London Collegiate and St Clare’s Oxford, all long-standing champions of the IB.

The result could be a narrowing of choice for post-16 students and the loss of one of the few globally recognised alternatives to A Levels within the state system.

Why the International Baccalaureate Matters

The IB has always stood apart from traditional A Levels. It encourages critical thinking, global citizenship and academic breadth. Students study a wide range of subjects, complete an extended essay and take part in creativity, activity and service projects.

Many universities and employers value IB graduates for their independence and versatility. Losing the IB from state schools is not just a funding issue, but a loss of educational diversity and ambition. Critics argue that at a time when the world is becoming more interconnected, the UK should be expanding global learning opportunities, not reducing them.

What This Means for Parents

If your child is considering the IB, there are several things to be aware of:

• Choice could shrink. Many state schools may stop offering the IB, leaving fewer options outside the independent sector.
• Timing is crucial. Current IB students should complete their programmes, but those starting after 2026 may face uncertainty.
• Costs may rise. Schools that try to keep the IB may need to raise extra funds or charge optional contributions.
• Ask schools directly. Contact your preferred sixth form or college to confirm whether they plan to continue offering the IB after 2026.
• Advocacy can help. Parents can write to local MPs, governors or the Department for Education to express support for retaining the IB in state education.

What This Means for International Students with the IB

The impact of this decision may also be felt internationally. The IB is highly respected by UK universities, which regularly welcome students from IB schools around the world. Admissions teams value the IB for producing well-rounded, independent learners.

However, if fewer UK students study the IB, it may gradually become viewed as an “international” qualification rather than one embedded in the British system. Some educators worry this could create a perception gap, even if universities continue to value IB students academically.

In practical terms, international students should not be affected in the short term. The UCAS tariff system remains the same, and universities continue to accept IB scores as equivalent to A Level grades. The IB remains one of the strongest pathways to British higher education.

Still, observers note that the UK’s retreat from the IB contrasts sharply with global trends. Countries such as Finland, Canada, Singapore and the UAE are expanding access to the IB, while Britain is reducing it. This could make the UK appear less globally minded at a time when international collaboration in education is more important than ever.

The Bigger Picture

Unless the government reverses course or alternative funding is found, the IB Diploma could disappear from UK state schools within the next two years. A few well-supported schools may try to continue, but most are likely to withdraw from the programme.

As one headteacher said, “It’s not just the IB we’re losing; it’s the spirit of intellectual curiosity it represents.”

If that prediction proves true, the end of the IB in UK state schools would mark more than just a funding change. It would signal the loss of one of the country’s few remaining links to an international, open-minded style of education that has served students well for more than half a century.