Got questions about IB Course Selection? We have the answers…

Most schools require you to select your IB diploma subjects while you are still in grade 10. (Schools need time to plan the curriculum and make a timetable so everyone is ready to start at the beginning of grade 11).

You will need to select one subject from each of the six subject areas. Your school will provide you with a list of which subjects they offer.

Yes. The IB diploma is recognized worldwide, although some countries may impose specific requirements with regard to subject level and selection.

Ask your IB Diploma Coordinator.

Some schools may only offer a particular subject at standard level and not at higher level. Ask your IB diploma coordinator.

It is best to take subjects that you are interested in, enjoy and in most cases opt for higher level subjects that you are good at. It is always a good idea to talk to your teachers, your IB Diploma Coordinator and your College Counselor.

This depends on what university subject you want to take. Some subjects at university have very specific requirements. E.g. If you want to study medicine you will need to take higher-level chemistry and biology. Other university subjects are more flexible. The best way to find out is to go and look on the university websites.

Yes. If you are going to achieve success in the IB diploma, you will need to work hard and particularly manage your time effectively. Don’t procrastinate!

Yes. Some countries do not require an IB diploma e.g. USA. You can enter with a high school diploma plus SAT/ACT scores. In other countries you may be able to access some university courses without a full IB diploma. The picture is very mixed and the best advice is to go and look on the university websites at their admissions requirements. As a tip, many universities offer foundation degree courses and these do not normally require a full IB diploma.

Yes. Most engineering degrees will require higher level maths and higher level physics, however there are some universities which will take you with standard level. There are also foundation degrees in engineering which have easier admissions requirements.

Talk to your maths teacher, and also have a look at the past exam papers.

Yes. Talk to your IB diploma coordinator and find out what your school’s provision is for self-taught courses.

Yes, unless your school has a policy that does not permit this. The advantage for you as a student in taking a language at the end of grade 11 is that it frees up time during grade 12 which is when you will be busy working on not only your IB diploma program, but also your university and college applications.

It is very unusual to take three science subjects. Your IB Diploma Coordinator would have to seek approval from the IB.

Talk to your teachers, your IB Diploma Coordinator and your College Counselor.

Yes. There are online offerings for many different subjects. One of the best-known providers is Pamoja Education . Talk to your IB diploma coordinator.

Good question! You’ll need to set yourself some priorities: the first and most obvious one is do you need specific higher level subjects in order to study your chosen subject at university? If the answer to this question is no, and you’re heading to university to study something that does not have any specific entry requirements, then I would recommend that you select three high-level subjects that you enjoy the most, and that interest you.

Some schools permit this, although be aware that this is going to be a very heavy workload for you. Ask yourself  if it’s really necessary to study 4 higher-level subjects. What benefit would you get from moving one of your standard level subjects up to higher level? You also need to talk to your IB Diploma Coordinator as some schools do not permit this. Also consider that there may be timetabling/ scheduling problems.

IB exams are offered in November and May each academic year.

Yes. You can re-sit individual subjects.

The easiest way is to go onto the university websites and check their entry requirements, that way you can see which subjects you need to study in the IB diploma. But remember, just because one university wants higher level maths, another may only require standard level maths.

There are two quick and easy ways to do this: firstly, go onto the IB website and look at the curriculum content for each subjects. Secondly, go and talk to the subject teachers in your school.

Each school has its own policy on this so you’ll need to talk to your IB Diploma Coordinator. However, there are a couple of things you need to keep in mind if you are thinking of changing. If you want to drop one of your higher level subjects down to standard level, you will then have to raise one of your standard level subjects up to higher level in order to maintain the 3 and 3 balance. If you want to drop a subject altogether and start with a new subject, the longer you leave it the more work you will have to catch up.

Talk to the students in grade 11 and 12.

Your IB Diploma Coordinator will have tips on how to manage the workload and help you create a timeline. If you are struggling in a particular subject then you should go and talk to your subject teacher. But it is important to seek help, the longer you leave it the bigger the problem will become.

Each student  is allocated an extended essay supervisor. He/she can certainly help you with this.

Yes. Go and talk to your CAS Supervisor, he/she will have lots of ideas and a  list of activities for you.

No, however if you want to go to a top university they will want to see evidence that you have selected the most rigourous academic program offered in your school… and this means the full IB diploma… plus you’ll need SAT/ACT for many universities. If, however, you’re not heading to a top university, then you can certainly go with just a high school diploma + SAT/ACT. The bottom line is the IB diploma offers you access to top universities, and a wider choice of universities. 

You can just take individual subjects/ classes, and you’ll get a certificate from the IB stating which subjects you took and what grade you achieved. In many schools this will form the basis for your High School Diploma. You need to talk to your IB Diploma Coordinator to find out what your school is offering.

The answer to this question depends on two main factors: firstly, do you need a full IB diploma to get into your university of choice? Secondly, is studying the full IB diploma too demanding for you? You will need to have a conversation with your IB Diploma Coordinator and also with your College Counselor to find out what the options are both in terms of your high school academic program and the impact on your university applications that leaving the IB diploma program and going onto a high school diploma would entail.

In many schools the teachers of the grade 10 students make recommendations. Is the student capable of studying the subject at higher level, standard level or not at all.

This will depend on the scheduling within your school. Ask your IB Diploma Coordinator

You’re in a good position, most university business courses don’t make any subject specific demands for entry. Obviously if you want to go to a top university, you’ll need to have top grades. If however, you want to take a business program that focuses on areas which are maths intensive such as accountancy, finance etc. Then you may have to take maths higher level. It’s best to check the university websites, this will give you a clearer picture of what’s required and thus help you select your IB diploma subjects.

Higher level maths and physics are recommended, although some universities will accept standard level. Beware, most require high-level. There are also foundation engineering programs that you can enter without higher level maths and physics.

No problem. Universities know that not all schools offer psychology as a subject, so therefore universities do not demand this.

This is a tough situation for you. It depends on what your parents want you to study university. If they have a particular science based course in mind, then I  suggest you have a look for this course but one that combines with something creative thus allowing you to say to your parents that the university values students who have taken art at IB diploma level.

Don’t worry, there are multiple levels of English courses and there is certainly one that will fit your needs, most likely English B either standard or higher level. But you should talk to your English teacher and ask for his/her advice.