Choosing your subjects

Our advice is that students should choose subjects that they enjoy whilst at the same time preserving a pathway to further study in Higher Education.

Although typically Universities base their course offers around the Higher IB subjects, they are also interested in the ‘whole’ person. IB students have an advantage because of the additional elements that make up the diploma and which link the six subjects together. This gives our students an edge over students with similar grades who are competing for the same university course.

Recommendations When Choosing IB Subjects

The curriculum for this international post-16 qualification is broadly based in Subject Groups. Students choose one subject from each of the Groups 1-6 but in Group 6 may select a further choice from Groups 2, 3 or 4 instead of those offered in Group 6. Choices should follow your interests and enjoyment of a subject. The IB structure encourages a balanced choice which includes the essential further study of English and Maths but also the depth required through the Higher subjects. A student may, in effect, choose two subjects from Groups 2, 3 or 4 instead of Group 6. Thus a student may study two sciences or two languages, for example.

The following three areas offer particular flexibility:

Mathematics

There is a Mathematics course to suit every ability from GCSE Grade 5 and above. We will provide support to ensure that students select the appropriate course for their current academic achievement and their future aspirations.

Beginner Languages ('Ab Initio')

The majority of BGS students continue studying one of their languages to Standard or Higher level. However, students from other schools may not have studied a language to GCSE and some of our own students are ready for a fresh start in a new language or a second chance in a language if they struggled at GCSE. A Beginner ('Ab Initio') course allows the study of a language without any previous experience of it. The points earned are exactly the same as those for Standard or Higher subjects.

Environmental Systems

Environmental Systems is a transdisciplinary subject in that it fulfils the subject requirements for Group 3 and Group 4. Students taking this subject can have greater flexibility in their subject choices for their Diploma. Thus, a student may choose four subjects as follows: Group 1 (English), Group 2 (languages; 3 levels available), Group 3/4 Environmental Systems and Group 5 (Maths). This allows the student their remaining two choices from the Art/Electives Group 6 (Music, Theatre, Visual Arts and Film).

SUBJECT GROUPS 1 - 6

The IB curriculum is broadly based in subject groups. Students choose one subject from each of the Groups 1 - 6 but in Group 6 may select a further choice from Groups 2, 3 or 4 instead of those offered in Group 6. You should follow your interests and enjoyment of a subject. The IB structure encourages a balanced choice which includes the essential further study of English and Maths, but also the depth required through the Higher subjects.

Examples of IB subject combinations leading to particular university courses can be found here.

Also available is a comprehensive list of university offers made to over 1000 IB students from local schools (including BGS) for particular courses: IB University Offers (Excel format) (PDF version here)

The following table presents a summary of the courses available. For information on each subject, use the menu on the right.

^* Indicates a subject that is only available at Standard level.
^** Indicates a subject that is only available at Higher level. 

^* Environmental Systems can count as a Group 3 or Group 4 subject allowing students to take two subjects from Group 6, Music and Theatre for example.  

Students take three subjects at Higher level and the remaining three at Standard level.

In addition to this, the following components complete the IB requirements:

• The CAS programme (Creativity, Action, Service)
• The Extended Essay
• Theory of Knowledge

Students have to complete all areas successfully to be awarded the Diploma.