Comparing the International Baccalaureate with the Matriculation Certificate and SEC Requirements

Effective from October 2011

1. The IB Diploma will satisfy the general entry requirements if obtained with 28 points or higher overall, and with passes at SEC level at Grade 5 or better in Maltese*, English Language and Mathematics. (*For information regarding Maltese as a requirement, kindly refer to the Admissions Regulations [PDF]).
   
   
2. The subjects chosen in the IB Diploma should have a mix comparable to that in the Matriculation Certificate.
   
   
3. The IB Diploma should include passes with 4 points or better in a language, a science subject and a humanistic subject.
   
   
4. For all undergraduate courses, except those having a numerus clausus, IB grades are considered as broadly comparable to those awarded in the Matriculation Certificate as follows:
   Matriculation Certificate Grade A is comparable to International Baccalaureate Diploma 7 points
   Matriculation Certificate Grade B is comparable to International Baccalaureate Diploma 6 points
   Matriculation Certificate Grade C is comparable to International Baccalaureate Diploma 5 points
   Matriculation Certificate Grades D/E is comparable to International Baccalaureate Diploma 4 points.
   
   
5. For undergraduate courses having a numerus clausus, Faculty Admissions Committees shall be guided as follows:
   MATSEC Grade C is higher than IB 5 points
   MATSEC Grade B is higher than IB 6 points
   MATSEC Grade A is higher than IB 7 points
   Grades/points would be considered, starting with the highest, in the following order of merit:
   AAA
   777
   AAB
   776
   ABB
   766
   BBB
   666
   BBC
   665
   BCC
   655
   CCC
   555
   
   
6. Admission to a course may also require applicants to satisfy the Special Course Requirements as specified in Course Regulations or Bye-Laws - such as; presenting specific subjects, sitting for tests, attending interviews and/or submitting additional qualifications. Individual subjects indicated as Special Course Requirements may be satisfied through the subjects presented in the IB Diploma if such subjects are deemed comparable to the subjects indicated in the Course Regulations or Bye-Laws.
   
   
7. Where course regulations or bye-laws specify English (or another language) as a special course requirement such a pass must be obtained in Language A: Language and Literature at the specified level and grade.
   
   
8. Certificate courses requiring 36 points in the Matriculation Certificate accept 23 points from the IB Diploma. All other requirements must also be met.
   
   
9. Compare some of the subjects offered within the IB to MATSEC qualifications. 
   
   
10. Entry as Probationary Students for applicants presenting the IB Diploma