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.
Find the current school-based syllabuses below.
Arts
- Literary arts
Individuals and societies
- Art history
- Brazilian social studies
- Classical Greek and Roman studies
- History of Kazakhstan
- Turkey in the 20th century
- 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
- Systems transformation
Subject guides
Universities and governments who would like a copy of the full subject guide for any subject, including SBS subjects, should contact us. You also can see a full list of DP subjects with their subject codes, transcript names, SL/HL availability and subject groups. This list includes subjects which are no longer offered by the IB and are included to support graduates of the IB whose transcripts may include these historic courses.
