IB HL vs SL: The essentials

Every IB Diploma student takes 3 Higher Level (HL) and 3 Standard Level (SL) subjects. The main differences are depth, teaching time and assessment.

Teaching hours

Level	Hours	Rationale
HL	240	Deeper content; more assessment
SL	150	Broader coverage; sufficient for many degrees

HL subjects have more syllabus content and usually more exam papers or components.

Difficulty and depth

HL goes further in:

• Breadth and depth of content
• Complexity of concepts
• Assessment (e.g. extra papers, more demanding questions)

SL provides:

• Solid grounding in the subject
• Enough for many university courses
• More time for other subjects and CAS

Which to choose HL?

• Subjects you enjoy and are strong in
• Subjects required or preferred for your degree (e.g. HL Biology for medicine)
• Subjects that support your career (e.g. HL Maths for engineering)

Which to choose SL?

• Subjects you need for the diploma but not for your degree
• Subjects where you want balance rather than maximum depth
• To manage workload while keeping strong HL performance

University recognition

• Many universities specify HL for certain subjects (e.g. HL Maths, HL Sciences)
• SL is usually enough for general entry and many arts/social science degrees
• Check university websites for subject and level requirements

Common question: Can I take 4 HL?

Yes. Students may take 4 HL and 2 SL if the school offers it. This increases workload; only choose it if you can sustain it.

How Tutopiya helps

Tutopiya supports IB HL and SL subjects. Explore IB resources or book a free trial.

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Source: IB Diploma Programme