All DP curriculums are reviewed on a seven-year teaching cycle to ensure that each is fit for purpose in a changing world and incorporates the latest educational research and lessons learned from a thorough evaluation of the existing curriculum.
The DP curriculum review is a collaborative process that aims to produce excellent, internationally minded, research-based curriculums and support material that enable students to develop the attributes of the learner profile and the IB mission, thereby providing an excellent preparation for life in the 21st century.
This section provides an overview of the DP subject briefs and course updates, in-line with the most recent and upcoming curriculum update cycle.
Read through our DP subject briefs which provide a technical breakdown of the DP curriculum and assessment methods, for both standard level and higher level (if applicable).
If you are a university admissions officer and would like access to our detailed subject guides, please email recognition@ibo.org.
Subject |
First teaching |
First assessment |
First enrol at university |
| Philosophy |
Aug/Sept 2023 |
May 2025 |
Aug/Sept 2025 |
| Computer Science |
Aug/Sept 2023 |
May 2025 |
Aug/Sept 2025 |
| Design technology |
Aug/Sept 2024 |
May 2026 |
Aug/Sept 2026 |
| Environmental systems and societies |
Aug/Sept 2024 |
May 2026 |
Aug/Sept 2026 |
| Global politics |
Aug/Sept 2024 |
May 2026 |
Aug/Sept 2026 |
| Sports, exercise and health science |
Aug/Sept 2024 |
May 2026 |
Aug/Sept 2026 |
| Visual arts |
Aug/Sept 2024 |
May 2026 |
Aug/Sept 2026 |
-
Biology
First Teaching
Aug/Sept 2023
First Assessment
May 2025
First Enrol at University
Aug/Sept 2025
Find latest updates about the biology curriculum.
-
Chemistry
First Teaching
Aug/Sept 2023
First Assessment
May 2025
First Enrol at University
Aug/Sept 2025
Find latest updates about the chemistry curriculum.
-
Physics
First Teaching
Aug/Sept 2023
First Assessment
May 2025
First Enrol at University
Aug/Sept 2025
Find latest updates about the physics curriculum.
-
Business management
First Teaching
Aug 2022
First Assessment
May 2024
First Enrol at University
Aug / Sep 2024
Find latest updates about the business management curriculum.
-
Literature and performance
First Teaching
Aug 2022
First Assessment
May 2024
First Enrol at University
Aug / Sep 2024
Find latest updates about the literature and performance curriculum.
-
Digital society
First Teaching
Aug 2022
First Assessment
May 2024
First Enrol at University
Aug / Sep 2024
Find latest updates about the digital society curriculum.
-
Theatre
First Teaching
Aug 2022
First Assessment
May 2024
First Enrol at University
Aug / Sep 2024
Find latest updates about the theatre curriculum.
-
Classical languages
First Teaching
Aug 2022
First Assessment
May 2024
First Enrol at University
Aug / Sep 2024
Find latest updates about the classical languages curriculum.
-
Economics
First Teaching
Sep 2020
First Assessment
May 2022
First Enrol at University
Aug / Sep 2022
Find out more about upcoming changes to our economics curriculum.
-
Music
First Teaching
Sep 2020
First Assessment
May 2022
First Enrol at University
Aug / Sep 2022
Find out more about upcoming changes to our music curriculum.
-
Theory of knowledge
First Teaching
Sep 2020
First Assessment
May 2022
First Enrol at University
Aug / Sep 2022
Find out more about upcoming changes to our theory of knowledge curriculum.
