How do I choose my IB subjects?
With the IB Diploma, you’ll pick six subjects – three at Standard Level (SL) and three at Higher Level (HL). You choose across different subject groups, and below you can see what your options are.
You can take a max of 4 subjects at HL. Some subjects can’t be combined – check out the rules further down.
Core subjects (Everyone has to do these)
These three components are what make the IB truly unique.
CAS – Creativity, Activity, Service
Volunteering and personal projects. You’ll spend 150 hours split across creativity, activity, and service.
TOK – Theory of Knowledge
How do we know what we know? TOK is all about critical thinking and new perspectives.
Extended Essay (EE)
Pick a topic you’re curious about and write a 4,000-word mini-thesis. Sounds wild? Don’t worry – you’ll get tons of support and come out way better at research and writing.
Subject combinations you can’t choose together
Some subjects overlap in the schedule, so you can’t pick them together:
- English A / English B
- Danish A / Danish B
- Spanish ab initio / Danish ab initio
- Visual Arts / Chemistry / Philosophy / Business Management
- Physics / Biology
- History / Psychology
- Math HL / Math SL
Study and career guidance
Get help planning your future – Talk to a student counsellor
Not sure what to study? Got questions about our programmes? No worries – we’re here to help you figure it out and make the right choice for your future.
Read more about Get help planning your future – Talk to a student counsellor