Over the course of the two-year IB Diploma Programme, students study six subjects chosen from the six subject groups, complete an extended essay, follow a theory of knowledge (TOK) course, and participate in creativity, activity, service (CAS).
Students can choose many varieties of subject options; a small selection of the many combinations chosen by students are shown below.
SL—standard level
HL—higher level
The engineer
| Studies in language and literature |
English A: language and literature SL |
| Language acquisition |
German B SL |
| Individuals and societies | Economics HL |
| Sciences | Physics HL |
| Mathematics |
Mathematics: analysis and approaches HL |
| The arts | Music SL |
| Extended essay | Physics |
The creative
| Studies in language and literature | Literature and performance SL |
| Language acquisition | Hindi B HL |
| Individuals and societies | Digital society SL |
| Sciences | Design technology HL |
| Mathematics | Mathematics: applications and interpretations SL |
| The arts | Theatre HL |
| Extended essay | Theatre |
The medic
| Studies in language and literature | Spanish A: language and literature SL |
| Language acquisition | English B HL |
| Individuals and societies | History SL |
| Sciences | Chemistry HL |
| Sciences | Biology HL |
| Mathematics | Mathematics: analysis and approaches SL |
| Extended essay | Biology |
The medic (non-regular diploma)*
| Studies in language and literature | French A: language and literature SL |
| Language acquisition | English B HL |
| Sciences | Physics HL |
| Sciences | Chemistry HL |
| Sciences | Biology HL |
| Mathematics | Mathematics: analysis and approaches SL |
| Extended essay | Biology |
The social scientist
| Studies in language and literature | German A: language and literature HL |
| Language acquisition | Portuguese B SL |
| Individuals and societies | Global politics HL |
| Individuals and societies | Geography HL |
| Sciences | Environmental systems and society SL |
| Mathematics | Mathematics: applications and interpretation SL |
| Extended essay | History |
The linguist
| Studies in language and literature | French A: language and literature HL |
| Studies in language and literature | Mandarin A: language and literature HL |
| Language acquisition | Arabic ab initio SL |
| Individuals and societies | Philosophy SL |
| Sciences | Computer science SL |
| Mathematics | Mathematics: applications and interpretation HL (in French) |
| Extended essay | French |
*Are you applying for Medicine, which in a few countries (such as India, Pakistan and some Scandinavian countries) will require three science subjects (biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics) and you will need to consider the non-regular Diploma? Please discuss with your guidance counsellor or university career counsellor (UCC).
