Students have to choose six subjects from six subject groups – three at standard level and three at higher level - as well as completing a 4000 word extended essay, a course in the ToK (theory of knowledge) and a certain number of hours for CAS (creativity, action and service).

The six subject groups are:

Group 1 - Language A1 (a literature course in the student’s first language)

Group 2 - Second Language (a linguistics course)

Group 3 - Individuals and Societies
history
business and management
geography

Group 4 - Experimental Sciences
biology
chemistry
physics

Group 5 - Mathematics
offered at different levels of mathematics

Group 6/7 - The Arts
visual art
film studies
theatre arts.
Instead of choosing a Creative Arts subject in Group 6 is is possible to choose a second subject from one of the other groups (eg a student could choose two foreign languages or both geography and history).