Still, IB graduates shouldn't assume that their degree automatically guarantees admission to a foreign university. Students must also meet university-specific requirements. For example, although the IB fulfills general entry requirements for universities in the United Kingdom, admission to a specific university will depend on that university's requirements and the individual student's success within the IB program. Sweden, for another example, has special entrance requirements for schools of engineering and medicine. The IBO provides information on these university-specific requirements.
Many educators say the IB degree is best suited to students who plan on attending university abroad.
Some U.S. universities grant generous academic credit to students who do well on IB tests, but others don't recognize the degree at all. Rhian O'Rourke, an IB graduate who now attends Wellesley College in Massachusetts, said she received very little credit for the extra work she did for her IB degree. Advanced Placement Programs, which were developed by and for U.S. educational institutions, may be better suited for students seeking academic credit at U.S. universities. Most IB courses prepare students for AP examinations. For many students and parents, the whole point of the IB program is the education it provides, not its application to college credit.