IB Prospectus 2026_paperturn_2 - Flipbook - Page 12
What our past students say
about the IB
I look back fondly at my time at Varndean. The IB changed
the way I approach learning. It showed me just how much
there is to be learned. It instilled in me independence, curiosity, and
creativity. The teachers are poised to guide you through the wealth
of knowledge. But they also demand con昀椀dence. You learn how to
formulate your ideas. This has been useful in navigating both my
academic career and my life. I will always be so thankful. So...
Thank you!" (Anonymous feedback provided as part of our
recent 5 year review evaluation process)
“
HOW WELL DO VARNDEAN SIXTH FORM COLLEGE
STUDENTS PERFORM?
For our most up to date results please visit our dedicated IB
webpage at www.varndean.ac.uk/i_bacc/
APPLICATIONS FROM OVERSEAS STUDENTS
Varndean Sixth Form College welcomes an increasingly large
number of students from all over the world. International students
should provide evidence of quali昀椀cations gained over the last two
years and will then be interviewed by the College. We may also ask
you to complete an entrance test in English, Maths and Biology if
you do not have GCSEs or iGCSEs, or an IELTS score of at least 6.5.
Overseas students living in the UK with their parent/s who wish
to complete the IB Diploma at Varndean should apply as normal.
Overseas students from non-EU countries who do not plan to live
in the UK with their parent/s, are able to take the IB Diploma over
two years, living with a host family and supported by the College;
however please note there will be additional fees to pay. For more
information contact the College’s International Department at
international@varndean.ac.uk
12
What I loved most about the IB was getting to study a
breadth of subjects instead of having to specialise so early on
in education. We were encouraged to see the bene昀椀ts of
interdisciplinarity and bringing critical perspectives into our
thinking, reading and writing across the curriculum. This was
particularly helpful for studying Human, Social, Political Sciences at
university, where being able to critically engage with all the texts I
encountered was key. The breadth of knowledge I acquired from
the IB was also a speci昀椀c point of support for me at uni. I would
say that it helped to bridge the gap between a low-income, state
school, 昀椀rst-generation student such as myself and other students
who had the bene昀椀ts of private education and parents who were
educated to university level." Jake Kroeger
“
I really enjoyed how much learning in the IB is self-directed
and the academic freedom that o昀昀ers, it really stimulated me
in a way that school didn't and gave me a great platform of study
skills and broad interests to enjoy university life. At the same time,
it pushed me to study things I'd not realised I would enjoy, and
enriched my life outside of my studies hugely, feeding into my
eclectic current job which covers education, community work,
conservation, and research. I had some brilliant teachers and
made some great friends who I still see regularly, 10 years after we
started." Joe Boyle
“
