Please see the table of individual degree requirements below for IB subject suggestions.

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1 Advice IB Choices Making IB Choices The IB programme, with its 6 academic subjects, has the advantage of broadness. Not only is the programme s broadness and rigour valued by universities, but this broadness also helps to keep university degree options open; it is harder to shut oneself off from particular degrees by taking the wrong subjects. However, for certain degrees, there are particular IB subject requirements, particularly at Higher Level. This mostly concerns STEM degrees (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) and would include some degrees in Finance/Statistics/Actuarial Science. Please see the table of individual degree requirements below for IB subject suggestions. Attractiveness of IB to universities There is no doubt that the IB is an attractive qualification to university admissions officers, and not only because their eye is caught by it being different from the more narrowly focused British A Level. They may also become increasingly attracted to the qualification because there has been no grade inflation, as has occurred in rival qualifications. In general, they applaud the principle of the rounded education that the IB offers and believe someone with the IB is likely to be more resourceful and independent in the way they prepare for academic study. Universities in the USA + Canada The IB diploma is very highly regarded in the USA as an excellent preparation for the broad degree programmes on offer. Pupils will normally need to take SATs or the ACT at an authorised exam centre in Year 12 and take part in an extensive spectrum of extra-curricular activities to have the best chance of obtaining a place. For Canada, the IB is also highly valued and at some universities (for example, UBC and Simon Fraser), advanced credit is awarded for a good IB pass. IB and Careers You may hear rumours that certain subjects are essential for entry into a particular profession, eg that History HL is essential for Law. It is not! Any subject combination, including the Sciences but excluding Art, will do for Law (but note the high standards of entry). You may also hear that journalists need English HL; but you do not have to do any Humanities subjects at HL to do Journalism or Media Studies as a degree course. Surprisingly few careers require specific IB subjects outside medical, technical and scientific careers. However, see the table below for recommended subjects for degree entry. How IB offers are made UK Universities generally give a conditional offer to a student based on their predicted IB score from the school. Whilst offers do vary, they are usually in one of the following four forms: 1. Solely a Higher Level points score, for example a total Higher level points score of 6, 6, 6, (in other words 18 points) 2. An overall IB points score plus details of points required at Higher level, for example a total of 34 points with 6, 6, 5 at Higher level, (namely 17 points at Higher Level) 3. An overall points score with a specific points score in one subject. This is most common when the IB subject is directly relevant to the degree course (eg 34 points with a 6, or even a 7, in English for someone applying to read English at a popular university). 4. A total points score out of 45. This means applicants for highly competitive courses should not underestimate the importance of the Standard Level subjects.

2 University Course or Career Accountancy Advertising Suggested subjects at IB Higher Notes Level. Maths and Economics with one other, but any An accountancy degree course provides exemption combination is permitted. from foundation accountancy exams, but is not necessary to enter the profession. Either Economics or Geography or History could be useful; so could Art. Very fast-moving, competitive, and potentially insecure, profession. Actuarial Work Maths Actuarial Science degree courses available but not necessary to enter profession. They and some Maths degrees give exemption from some exams. Administration, the Civil Service, etc. Agriculture, Agricultural Research, Land Surveyor Archaeology Almost any combination but subjects include Good class of degree needed to enter Diplomatic English, History, Economics or Geography and Service, which has a very competitive entry. a foreign language, or two Languages for EU work and some diplomatic work; but Sciences for scientific branch careers. Biology, Chemistry and/or Physics, Geography. None, though Geography, History + Science useful. Architecture Some courses say they want an arts/science Drawing skills should be developed in the Sixth Form, mix. Some may require Art. Useful: Art, especially if considering graphic/fashion/interior Mathematics, Design Technology and Physics. design. Portfolio of ideas + drawing often required. Art + Design Banking, Finance Visual Arts / Technology to give you the portfolio required to enter Art Foundation course. Most entrants onto Art and Design degrees will have done a one-year Art Foundation Course after completing Year 13. Maths and Economics; a language very useful. Finance and Banking degree courses available, but not mandatory for careers in the area. Biochemistry Biology, Zoology, Botany Biomedical Science (including Medical Science) Business Studies Chartered Surveyor Always Chemistry. Some universities will say you must have Biology as well, while some will say Chemistry plus one from Mathematics/Physics/ Biology. Doing Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics or Physics will keep all Biochemistry courses open to you. Chemistry HL essential. Biology HL recommended. Normally two from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics. Chemistry is essential for some courses. GCSE Maths is essential and IB Higher Level Maths/Maths SL would be an advantage. Languages strongly recommended. Geography, Maths, Economics or Geography, Maths, History or Art or Design. More universities are now offering combined courses in Business Studies and Languages; in some cases the language at HL is a condition of entry. Chemistry Chemistry and Maths HL recommended. Most Oxbridge applicants should have Maths at HL. courses require Chemistry and would like Mathematics and one other science subject (for example, Physics or Biology). Chemical Engineering Chemistry, Physics and Maths Most university courses are now four years and many are sandwich type. Computer Science, Statistics, Numerical Analysis Maths. Physics useful. Good HL grades required for entry to popular degree courses

3 Dentistry Chemistry and Biology for most courses, but Work experience essential. some require Mathematics or Physics as well. Economics Maths. Useful: Economics, History. Engineering English, Drama, English and Drama European Studies Physics and Maths essential for the vast majority of universities. Design is useful, so is Economics, and a language. Maths at HL is expected for Oxbridge entry. (Some universities consider applicants without Maths or Physics for some Engineering Courses; these offer a Foundation Year for those prospective engineers who are weak or do not have science at HL). English and a Foreign or Classical Language, or Single Honours English is always more competitive for History. entry to university than English combined with one or more other subjects (even here grade demands are high). Drama or English and Drama is even more competitive and record of involvement in the theatre is essential. A modern language. Useful: Another modern language, English Literature, History Fine Art Art, English or any combination. Completion of Foundation Course needed as precondition of entry to degree course. Geography (Arts/BA emphasis) Geography, History, Economics, Business Studies, English, Languages, Art, one Science. Slightly higher entry standards for Geography BA than for Geography BSc degree courses. Geography (Science/BSc emphasis) Geography, Maths or Physics, Biology, Chemistry. A wide variety of careers available with a Geography degree. History History, Languages, English or Economics. An HL language is helpful, especially for Oxford. A wide variety of careers is available with a History degree. History of Art None. Useful: Art, History, English; a modern and/or classical language. Law Any combination, though History, Maths, Latin, English, and/or Economics are useful. For Patent Law add a Science. (Art is not recognised as an entry qualification for Law School). At Cambridge, Law (part 2) via Modern Languages or Classics is popular. Law graduates need one year postgraduate study; non-law graduates, two years. Leisure Industry, Sports Studies, Sports Science Economics and either Chemistry or Biology or both. Competitive entry to university. Record of commitment and success in sport very important. Management Studies, Management Science Maths HL sometimes required. Useful: Economics Courses at university may overlap greatly in content with Business Studies courses. Materials Science, Metallurgy Chemistry, Physics and Maths. Design is useful Maths, Maths with Physics, Theoretical Physics Maths, Physics. Maths at Higher Level, especially for Oxbridge. Maths is a very useful subject to support Social Science and even some Arts HL subjects, as well as the obvious Science ones.

4 Media and Communication Studies English, a foreign language. Successful entry into very competitive job market of journalism and broadcasting cannot be guaranteed with this qualification. Work experience in this area absolutely essential. Medicine Nursing + Midwifery If you do Chemistry, Biology and one from The minimum standard entry for Medicine depends Mathematics or Physics you will keep all the on the university but is usually points (66 HL medical schools open to you. If you do Science) or as high as 776 (Oxbridge). Chemistry and Biology you will keep open the vast majority. If you do Chemistry and one Work experience essential. from Mathematics and Physics you will limit your range of choices much more. Biology + 1 other science Occupational Therapy HL Biology sometimes required. Useful: another science, P.E. Optometry / Ophthalmic Optics 2 HLs from Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics (some courses prefer Biology as one of the choices) Pharmacy Physics Chemistry and one from Biology, Mathematics and Physics keeps the vast majority of courses open to you. Some courses like to see Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics. Doing Chemistry and Biology keeps most courses open. Physics HL + Maths HL Psychology A few courses ask for one from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics. Religious Studies/Theology None. Useful: Philosophy, English Literature, History, Religious Studies Sociology None. Useful: Sociology, Psychology, Geography, Computing/Computer Science.

5 Veterinary Science You should do Chemistry and Biology and one from Mathematics/Physics so that you have all universities open to you. Work experience essential