Other DP subjects offered by the IB

Last updated:

With approval from the IB, schools may also offer the following types of subjects.

School-based syllabuses

A school-based syllabus (SBS) is a Diploma Programme (DP) subject that has been proposed and developed, in close collaboration with the IB, by an IB World School. An SBS provides an opportunity for a school to develop a subject that is not otherwise offered by the IB and that meets the needs of their students.  

An SBS must be officially approved by the IB before it may be offered by a school. An SBS can be developed to be offered in Individuals and Societies, the Sciences or the Arts only. These subjects are examined at the same standard as mainstream subjects, with the same assessment conditions.  

Read the current school-based syllabuses below. 

Arts

  • Literary arts 

Individuals and societies

  • Art history 
  • Brazilian social studies 
  • Classical Greek and Roman studies 
  • Modern history of Kazakhstan
  • World arts and cultures

Sciences 

  • Astronomy 
  • Food science and technology 
  • Marine science

Pilot subjects 

The IB is constantly looking to innovate its curriculum and one method of doing this is through piloting subjects. A pilot subject is designed and developed to the same standard as our mainstream subjects, and is undergoing evaluation in practice with a limited number of schools. Pending successful evaluation, the subject will then become a mainstream offering for all schools. Only schools authorized by the IB are permitted to offer a pilot subject. The pilot subject is examined at the same standard as mainstream subjects, with the same assessment conditions.  

Current pilot subjects:

  • Language and culture

Subject guides

Universities and governments who would like a copy of the full subject guide for any subject, including SBS subjects, should contact us

Subjects that are no longer offered 

Below is a list of subjects which are no longer offered by the IB. This list is provided to support graduates of the IB whose transcripts may include these historic courses. 

Subject

HL/SL

Year

Type

Comments

Text and performance

SL

2012

Pilot

This subject was updated and renamed to a mainstream subject: Literature and Performance

Language A1 (eg. English A1)

HL & SL

2012

 

This subject was updated and renamed to Language A : Literature

Language A2 (eg. English A2)

HL & SL

2012

 

This subject was updated and renamed to Language A : Language and Literature

Electronics

SL

2013

SBS

Discontinued

Chinese studies

SL

2014

SBS

Discontinued

Business and management

HL & SL

2015

 

This subject was updated and renamed to Business Management

Human rights

SL

2016

SBS

This subject was replaced with a new subject: Global Politics

Peace and conflict studies

SL

2016

SBS

This subject was replaced with a new subject: Global Politics

World politics

SL

2016

SBS

This subject was replaced with a new subject: Global Politics

Science, technology and society

SL

2017

SBS

Discontinued

Chile and Pacific basin

SL

2019

SBS

Discontinued

Further mathematics

HL & SL

2020

 

Discontinued

Mathematics

HL & SL

2020

 

This subject was replaced with two new Mathematics subjects

Mathematical studies

SL

2020

 

This subject was replaced with two new Mathematics subjects

Information technology in global society

HL & SL

2023

 

This subject was replaced with a new subject: Digital Society

Political thought

SL

2023

SBS

Discontinued