Where to study the International Baccalaureate in Alicante?

Within the Costa Blanca region there is a key distinction: true pre-university international education is achieved through two different routes, as the IB coexists with the Sixth Form.

When a family is looking for an international education for the final years of secondary school, it is common to first consider the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. However, the IB is not the only pathway to prestigious universities in Spain and abroad.

For many families, the International Baccalaureate (IB) represents the ideal pathway because of its conceptual rigour and global mindset. However, in Alicante, two internationally recognised educational models coexist, offering different educational pathways: the IB Diploma Programme and the prestigious British Sixth Form system.

In the province of Alicante, there are two widely recognised international pathways: the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), offered by Newton College, and the British system with A Levels in Sixth Form (upper secondary education), offered by Lady Elizabeth School and British School Vila-real (the latter located in Castellón), both part of the International Schools Partnership (ISP) education group.

Both prepare students to gain admission to prestigious universities in Spain and internationally, although they do so through different methodologies and approaches. The difference lies not so much in international recognition, but in the way students learn, the level of specialisation, and the type of student best suited to each pathway.

Differences between British Sixth Form and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

Both the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and British Sixth Form provide excellent preparation for admission to universities around the world. Both foster intellectual development, analytical skills, independence and an international mindset.

The main difference lies in their academic approach.

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) is characterised by:

• A balanced curriculum that requires students to study six different subject areas.
• Three compulsory components: Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS).
• A model based on continuous assessment, projects, research assignments and final examinations.
• A broad-based education that combines academic depth with an interdisciplinary perspective.

The Sixth Form, on the other hand, offers greater specialisation:

• Students normally choose between three and four subjects (A Levels) related to the university degree they wish to study, reaching a very high level of depth in those subjects.
• Learning is strongly focused on developing student independence and responsibility.
• Assessment is primarily based on official A Level examinations at the end of the programme.

It is important to bear in mind that there is no objectively superior educational model. Both the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and British Sixth Form have international recognition and provide access to prestigious universities around the world. So, what should determine the choice between one model and the other? It will depend entirely on the student’s profile and on how they prefer to approach the final two years before university.

International schools offering the IB in Alicante

The province of Alicante is home to several international schools offering different educational models for families seeking a high-quality international education. Within ISP, there are schools that offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and others that follow the British curriculum with Sixth Form and A Levels.

Newton College, an international school offering the IB

Newton College is an international school located in Elche, Alicante. It is one of the leading international schools in the Valencian Community and offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.

Its educational approach supports students from the early years through to the final years of secondary education, using an international approach focused on critical thinking, research, creativity and active learning. During the IB Diploma, students design a balanced academic pathway across six subject areas, while also developing research, reflection and social engagement skills through the Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge and CAS.

The school complements this education with personalised support and university guidance to facilitate access to both Spanish and international universities in countries such as the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and the United States, among others.

The equally international alternative to the IB

A common misconception is that the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) is the only pathway to an excellent international education. However, there are other options that are equally recognised by universities around the world, such as British Sixth Form and A Levels.

At the British schools within the ISP Schools network, the final years of secondary education are structured around Sixth Form, a model based on A Level examinations that enjoys the same international recognition, prestige and accreditation as the International Baccalaureate.

Unlike the IB structure, the British Sixth Form curriculum is characterised by a high degree of specialisation and flexibility. Students choose only three or four subjects over the two years. This allows a student with a clear interest in science, technology or the arts to focus 100% of their energy on the subjects they actually need for their chosen degree, avoiding compulsory subjects from other areas that could negatively affect their overall average grade.

Classes are taught entirely in English through debates, laboratory work and critical essays, strengthening time management and independent learning skills.

Lady Elizabeth School

Located in Benitachell, in the province of Alicante, Lady Elizabeth School offers an educational programme based on the British curriculum from early years through to the final years of secondary education. Its distinctive approach begins in primary education, where the school combines the International Curriculum with the British Curriculum, giving students exceptional mental and linguistic flexibility from an early age.

When students reach Sixth Form, they undertake a high-performing A Level programme, complemented by subjects from the Spanish education system and a university guidance department that uses the most advanced global tools to manage applications to university campuses around the world.

Lady Elizabeth School has achieved outstanding results in A Level and GCSE examinations, even exceeding the UK average in both types of examinations.

British School Vila-real

Although it is located in the province of Castellón, British School Vila-real shares methodologies with the schools in Alicante within the ISP ecosystem in the Valencian Community.

The school teaches the British national curriculum from ages 2 to 18, alongside subjects from the Spanish curriculum, leading to the award of dual British and Spanish qualifications. During the final years of secondary education, students take Sixth Form A Levels, allowing them to specialise in three or four subjects of their choice.

The A Level results achieved by students at British School Vila-real are consistently excellent and above the UK average, with some students achieving the highest grades in the world and in Spain in examinations taken at Cambridge and Edexcel examination centres.

What are the advantages of the International Baccalaureate (IB) and Sixth Form?

Although their methodologies are different, both pathways share many strengths. Both the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and British Sixth Form have international recognition and prepare students to access Spanish and international universities, providing strong preparation for higher education. In both models, students develop high-level academic and personal skills, while independence and critical thinking are actively encouraged.

Global mindset

Both the IB and Sixth Form promote an international mindset. This does not simply mean studying in English or interacting with students of different nationalities. It means learning to look at issues from different perspectives, understanding different cultural contexts and developing a responsible attitude towards society. And in today’s globalised world, this mindset can be just as important as academic results.

What should you consider when choosing an international school in Alicante?

Choosing an international school involves much more than deciding between the International Baccalaureate and Sixth Form. As you can see, it is not simply about studying in English or following an international curriculum, but about learning within a global educational network that prepares students to succeed in any academic and professional context.

It is worth considering aspects such as:

• The school’s educational approach
• Its experience delivering international programmes
• The university guidance it provides, as well as its academic and personal support
• The results achieved by its students
• The international opportunities available beyond the classroom

Why choose an ISP School?

Studying at an ISP school means becoming part of a global educational community of 120 schools in more than 26 countries. This translates into real opportunities for students: international experiences, collaborative projects, leadership programmes, personalised university guidance and access to an educational network that extends far beyond the classroom.

This has a direct impact on students’ academic profiles:

• Greater ability to adapt to international environments
• Development of intercultural communication skills
• Greater confidence when navigating competitive university admissions processes
• Real-world experience in global projects before university

For families, this means choosing a school that offers much more than an international qualification and a very clear advantage: students not only gain an international qualification, but also develop a much more competitive profile for admission to prestigious universities around the world and for succeeding in a global environment.

Learning that goes beyond the classroom

One of ISP’s key values is that students are not limited to learning solely in the classroom. As part of ISP, students participate in initiatives alongside students from other countries. All of this is supported by Learning.First™, ISP’s educational methodology, which places student learning at the centre of every school decision. Through continuous monitoring of academic and personal progress, teachers can adapt their teaching to each student’s needs and maximise their development.

This methodology is built around five pillars that ensure all students acquire the knowledge, skills and experiences they need to achieve academic and professional success:

• Academic achievement: maximising individual potential through a tailored learning experience that continuously assesses the student’s actual progress.
• Life skills: developing social-emotional skills, critical thinking, self-management and the safe and advanced use of technology.
• Multilingualism: all ISP schools aim to help students develop language skills that enable them to navigate an international environment with confidence.
• International Learning Opportunities (ILOS): through ISP’s International Learning Opportunities for Students (ILOS) programmes, students from ISP schools around the world can participate in international initiatives. Programmes such as ISP Filmmakers, ISP Model United Nations, ISP Artists and ISP Scientists, among others, aim to better prepare students for their academic and professional futures.
• University and career pathways: Future Pathways is ISP’s tailored programme that guides students and their families in making informed decisions about their future, with access to agreements with international universities, scholarship information and personalised guidance.

Discover the best pathway and the best international school for your child

The best way to find out whether Sixth Form or the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is the most suitable pathway for your child is to visit our schools in Alicante, get to know the school, meet the teachers and speak with the admissions team.

During a personalised visit, you can learn about each school’s educational approach, discover how we work and have all your questions about the British and international curricula answered. Studying the International Baccalaureate in Alicante opens up significant academic opportunities, but the decision should be based on a comprehensive assessment of the educational approach.

Admissions remain open throughout the year, so you can request information and arrange a visit whenever best suits your family’s plans.