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 - Studies in Language and Literature
Language A: Literature
Language A: Language & Literature 

Group 2 - Language Acquisition
Language B
Language ab initio 

Group 3 - Individuals and Societies
Contemporary History
Business & Management
Geography
Psychology (online) 

Group 4 - Experimental Sciences
Biology
Chemistry
Physics

Group 5 - Mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematical Studies
Further 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).