IB Subject Selection Guide — How to Choose Your IB Subjects

Choosing your IB Diploma subjects is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in your academic career. The six subjects you select — along with the Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Extended Essay (EE), and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) — will shape your next two years and influence your university options.

This guide walks you through everything you need to know: what each subject group covers, how to balance SL and HL, which combinations work best for different career paths, and how to make a choice you won’t regret.

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How the IB Diploma Works

Every IB Diploma student takes six subjects — one from each of the six subject groups (with some flexibility). You must take:

• Three subjects at Higher Level (HL) — studied in greater depth (240 teaching hours)
• Three subjects at Standard Level (SL) — studied with less depth (150 teaching hours)

Some schools allow four HL subjects, but this is rare and demanding.

In addition to your six subjects, you complete the IB Core:

• Theory of Knowledge (TOK) — An epistemology course exploring how we know what we know
• Extended Essay (EE) — A 4,000-word independent research paper
• CAS — Creativity, Activity, Service experiences

Your final IB score is out of 45 points: up to 7 points per subject (6 × 7 = 42) plus up to 3 bonus points from TOK and EE.

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The Six Subject Groups Explained

Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature

This is your first language — the language you’re most proficient in. You study literature and/or language in context.

Common options:

• English A: Literature — Study literary works from different periods, genres, and cultures
• English A: Language and Literature — Study both literary and non-literary texts, including media and advertising
• Self-taught Literature — Available in many languages for students whose mother tongue isn’t offered at their school

Who should take HL? Students interested in journalism, law, communications, creative writing, or any humanities degree.

Group 2: Language Acquisition

This is your second language. The level depends on your prior experience.

Options:

• Language B (SL/HL) — For students with 2–5 years of experience in the language
• Language Ab Initio (SL only) — For complete beginners; only available at SL

Popular languages: French, Spanish, Mandarin, German, Japanese, Arabic

Who should take HL? Students planning to study international relations, translation, or who want to demonstrate strong bilingual abilities for university applications.

Group 3: Individuals and Societies

The humanities and social sciences group. This is where you explore human behaviour, history, and society.

Popular options:

• Economics — Microeconomics, macroeconomics, and international economics
• Business Management — Marketing, finance, HR, and operations
• History — In-depth study of historical events and their causes/effects
• Psychology — Biological, cognitive, and sociocultural approaches to behaviour
• Geography — Physical and human geography with fieldwork
• Global Politics — Power, sovereignty, human rights, and international relations
• Philosophy — Ethics, epistemology, and metaphysics

Who should take HL? Depends on your university plans. Economics HL is valued for business/economics degrees. History HL suits humanities and law programmes. Psychology HL is useful for psychology and social science degrees.

Group 4: Sciences

The experimental sciences group. All Group 4 subjects include a mandatory practical component.

Popular options:

• Physics — Mechanics, waves, electricity, thermal physics, and more
• Chemistry — Atomic structure, bonding, energetics, kinetics, and organic chemistry
• Biology — Cell biology, genetics, ecology, evolution, and human physiology
• Computer Science — Programming, data structures, algorithms, and system design
• Design Technology — Product design, materials, and manufacturing
• Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS) — SL only; counts as both Group 3 and Group 4

Who should take HL? Physics HL for engineering and physics degrees. Chemistry HL for medicine, pharmacy, and chemistry. Biology HL for medicine, biology, and life sciences. Computer Science HL for computer science and software engineering.

Group 5: Mathematics

Every IB student must study mathematics. There are two courses, each available at SL and HL:

• Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches (AA) — Emphasis on algebraic methods, calculus, and proof. Best for students who enjoy pure mathematics.
• Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation (AI) — Emphasis on modelling, statistics, and technology. Best for students who prefer applied, real-world mathematics.

Which should you choose? See our detailed comparison: IB Math AA vs AI — Which Should You Choose?

University requirements:

• Engineering, physics, maths degrees → Usually require Maths AA HL
• Economics, business → Often require Maths AA HL or accept Maths AI HL
• Medicine → Varies; some accept Maths AA SL, others require HL
• Humanities, arts → Maths AI SL is usually sufficient

Group 6: The Arts (or Elective)

This group offers creative subjects, but you can also substitute a second subject from Groups 1–4 instead.

Options:

• Visual Arts — Studio work and comparative study
• Music — Performance, composition, and musical analysis
• Theatre — Performance, directing, and theatre theory
• Film — Film analysis, production, and screenwriting
• Dance — Performance, composition, and dance analysis

Many students substitute this group with a second science (e.g., Physics + Chemistry), a second humanities subject (e.g., Economics + History), or a second language.

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Popular Subject Combinations

For Medicine and Health Sciences

• HL: Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics AA (or English)
• SL: English (or Maths AA), second language, one from Group 3/6
• Key requirement: Most medical schools require Chemistry HL and Biology HL. Some require Maths.

For Engineering

• HL: Physics, Mathematics AA, Chemistry (or a humanities)
• SL: English, second language, one from Group 3/6
• Key requirement: Physics HL and Maths AA HL are nearly universal requirements.

For Business and Economics

• HL: Economics, Mathematics AA (or AI), Business Management (or English)
• SL: Second language, a science, one additional subject
• Key requirement: Top business schools want Maths HL. Economics HL is preferred but not always required.

For Law and Humanities

• HL: History, English A: Literature, a second Group 3 subject (e.g., Global Politics)
• SL: Second language, Mathematics AI, a science
• Key requirement: Strong essay-writing subjects at HL. History and English are highly valued.

For Computer Science and Technology

• HL: Mathematics AA, Physics, Computer Science
• SL: English, second language, a humanities
• Key requirement: Maths AA HL is essential. Physics HL is preferred by many universities.

For Psychology and Social Sciences

• HL: Psychology, Biology, English (or another humanities)
• SL: Second language, Mathematics AI, a Group 6 or additional Group 3
• Key requirement: Psychology HL demonstrates commitment. Biology is useful for neuroscience-related programmes.

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How to Balance SL and HL

Choose HL Based on These Factors

1. University requirements — This is the most important factor. Research your target universities and courses now.
2. Your strengths — HL subjects require more depth and more hours. Play to your strengths.
3. Your interests — You’ll be studying these subjects intensively for two years. Genuine interest matters.
4. Workload balance — Three demanding HL subjects plus a heavy CAS schedule can lead to burnout.

Common Mistakes in SL/HL Selection

• Taking Maths HL “just in case” — If you don’t need it for university and you find maths difficult, this can drag down your score. Check requirements first.
• Avoiding sciences entirely — Even if you’re a humanities student, SL Biology or ESS is manageable and keeps university options open.
• Choosing HL subjects you dislike — Two years is a long time. If you hate the subject, your IA and exam performance will suffer.
• Ignoring workload across all six subjects — Don’t just think about each subject individually. Consider the total workload, including IAs, the EE, TOK, and CAS.

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University Requirements: What You Need to Know

Research Early

Start looking at university requirements before you finalise your IB subjects. Most universities publish their IB requirements online, including:

• Required HL subjects
• Minimum point totals (e.g., 36+ for competitive programmes)
• Minimum HL scores (e.g., 6 in HL Chemistry for medicine)
• Specific course requirements (e.g., Maths AA vs AI)

Country-Specific Considerations

United Kingdom:

• Universities specify HL requirements (e.g., “766 at HL”)
• UCAS points are based on your IB total
• Competitive courses (medicine, Oxbridge) require 38–42+ points

United States:

• More flexible; no strict subject requirements in most cases
• HL scores of 6–7 may earn college credit
• Admissions are holistic (grades, essays, extracurriculars)

Singapore:

• NUS, NTU, SMU have specific IB requirements by programme
• Engineering typically requires Physics HL and Maths AA HL
• Medicine requires Chemistry HL and Biology HL at most universities

Australia and Canada:

• Generally accept a wide range of IB subjects
• Competitive programmes specify HL requirements similar to the UK

Keep Your Options Open

If you’re unsure about your university path, choose a balanced combination:

• One science at HL
• Maths AA at SL or HL
• One humanities or language at HL

This keeps doors open for both STEM and humanities programmes.

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Tips for Making Your Final Decision

1. Talk to Current IB Students

Nobody understands the reality of IB subjects better than students who’ve taken them. Ask about workload, teaching quality at your school, and how they’d choose differently.

2. Attend Taster Sessions

Many schools offer trial lessons or taster sessions for IB subjects before you commit. Take advantage of these to get a feel for the content and teaching style.

3. Consider Your School’s Strengths

Some schools have particularly strong departments. A great teacher can make a challenging HL subject much more manageable.

4. Think About Your Extended Essay

Your EE should be in one of your six subjects (preferably HL). If you’re already planning an EE topic, factor this into your subject selection.

5. Don’t Follow the Crowd

Choose subjects based on your own goals and interests, not because your friends are taking them. The IB is personal — what works for someone else may not work for you.

6. Remember: You Can Sometimes Switch

Most schools allow subject changes in the first few weeks of the IB programme. If you quickly realise a subject isn’t right, talk to your IB coordinator immediately.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take four HL subjects?

Some schools permit this, but it significantly increases workload. Only consider it if you’re a very strong student and your target university specifically benefits from a fourth HL.

What if my school doesn’t offer the subject I want?

Options include Pamoja (IB’s online course provider), self-taught languages, or discussing alternatives with your IB coordinator.

Is it better to take easier subjects and score higher, or harder subjects and score lower?

For most university applications, higher scores matter more than the specific subjects (assuming you meet any mandatory requirements). A 42 with “easier” subjects is generally better than a 36 with “harder” ones — but you must fulfil any specific HL requirements.

Can I change subjects after the IB starts?

Most schools allow changes within the first 2–4 weeks. After that, it becomes very difficult because you’ll have missed too much content.

Does it matter which Group 6 subject I choose (or if I substitute)?

For most university applications, Group 6 doesn’t matter much unless you’re applying for arts programmes. Substituting with a second science or humanities is very common and generally accepted.

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Get Personalised Guidance for Your IB Journey

Choosing the right IB subjects can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. Tutopiya’s experienced IB tutors can help you understand subject demands, plan your HL/SL balance, and prepare for success in whichever subjects you choose.

👉 Book a free trial lesson with an IB tutor for personalised subject selection advice and academic support.

Already studying for the IB? Access our AI-powered learning portal for revision notes, practice questions, and past papers across every IB subject — all for just SGD 96/year.

Explore more IB resources:

• IB Biology Revision Guide
• IB Chemistry Study Notes
• IB Mathematics Cheat Sheets
• How to Write a TOK Essay
• IB Math AA vs AI — Which Should You Choose?

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