The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) is a pre-university assessment and certification often compared to the A Levels. In Singapore, it is usually taken by students in selected JCs or international schools here in their graduating year. Now that the IB programme is an option for Integrated Programme students, more parents and students may be interested in considering it instead of the A Levels.
Wondering about the subjects you can take in the IBDP? And how are the subjects options different from those in at the A Levels?
If you are deciding between the IB or A Level programme, or are deciding your IB subject combination soon, here’s something that will help you. Check out our guide on how the IB subject combination works, or read on to find out more about less-common IB subjects you can take in Singapore!
How different are the IB subjects compared to A Level subjects?
First, you need to understand that the subjects you can take for either exam is dependent on what your country and schools offer. For example, there are over 80 subjects in the A Levels, but you won’t see all of them in your school because of factors like teacher availability and demand.
Since we’re in Singapore, we will focus our comparison on the subjects we can find in Singapore. For the A Levels, the subject options are more concise. The most common subjects are mathematics, the sciences (biology, chemistry, physics), and humanities (economics, history, geography, literature). In some schools, you will also find slightly more niche options like China Studies, Music, Art, Theatre, and Computing.
In the IB, there are similar subjects to the most common A Level subjects. In fact, the two local junior colleges offering IB – St Joseph’s Institution and Anglo-Chinese School Independent – have very similar subject options as most A Level JCs do. However, if you look at international IB schools in Singapore, you’ll find a bit more variety, including subjects such as Global Politics, Philosophy, Psychology, Environmental Systems, and Film Studies.
Less-common IB subjects you can take in Singapore
Business management
The Business Management subject at the IBDP gives students insights into the key areas of managing a business across the local, national, and international levels. Concepts are contextualised across a wide range of situations, including various business sectors, social, cultural, and economic environments.
Students will learn about theories, tools, and techniques relating to the main tasks of managing a business, such as human resource, marketing, finance, and operations. Business management will also be explored with an emphasis on how factors like culture, globalisation, innovation, and ethics correlate and affect business decisions.
Besides subject-specific skills like financial analysis, you can expect to take away valuable transferable skills like critical thinking, ethical decision making, planning and strategising.
Philosophy
Philosophy is a subject that deals with abstract questions about the world, like “What does it mean to be right or wrong?” and “What does it mean to be human?” The focus of the IBDP Philosophy syllabus is the topic of “Being Human”, which lead students to question and consider various perspectives such as whether animals and machines can be defined as human.
Students will learn analytical skills and philosophical tools that enable them to construct arguments and develop their own philosophical voice. They will engage with texts by famed philosophers like Lau Tze, Plato, and Martha Nussbaum, as well as analyse a non-philosophical text for its philosophical content.
An optional list of electives include topics like aesthetics, epistemology, and ethics, of which SL students must pick one, and HL students must pick two to study. Through the study of philosophy, students will also sharpen their abilities in argumentation, independent thinking, and critical analysis.
Mathematics: Applications and Interpretations
Mathematics: Applications and Interpretations puts the emphasis on the practical applications of mathematics in real-life situations, which is ideal for students who are considering further studies that require the use of applied mathematics, such as those in the science, design, or technology sectors.
The course covers topics such as algebra, trigonometry, functions, probability, statistics, and calculus, which covers some theoretical concepts to give students a foundation for applying them to practical problems. Throughout the curriculum, students will use mathematical modelling and concepts to communicate and solve real-world problems.
By the end of the course, students are expected to have developed confidence for using mathematical tools in a variety of contexts, be able to generalise and abstract information, and grow in their creativity and problem solving skills.
Film Studies
Students of the Film Studies subject will approach film by learning how to interpret as well as produce films. The theory aspect will see students exploring the history of film and how it functions across cultural contexts. Through analysing films, students will find out how film elements work together to create meaning.
The course will also provide students with a platform to put what they have learnt into practice, equipping them with the frameworks and practical skills required to produce their own film. Students will gain opportunities to be involved in various roles of the film-making process, honing their abilities to work independently and collaboratively.
Ultimately, the subject aims to nurture thinkers and artists who are able to communicate and express meaning through the medium of film.
Global politics
In line with one of IB’s central purposes of cultivated international mindedness, the Global Politics subject opens up the study of political concepts across local, national, and international contexts. Real-world examples and case studies offer a glimpse into topics like power, equality, sustainability, and peace, teaching students to understand and build their perspectives of politics in the world.
The skills involved in studying Global Politics include analytic and research, especially in evaluating stimuli. Students will also embark on their own project to make sense of different political perspectives, challenges, and their role in the world as global citizens.
Conclusion
The IB programme serves up a unique platter of subjects, staying true to its focus of nurturing global citizens and all-rounded learners. It can seem like a daunting choice to choose between the A Levels and IB, or even which subjects to take in the IB itself, but we hope this guide can be of help!
For further advice or academic help for IB subjects, don’t hesitate to contact us at Future Academy. On top of our signature IP tuition programmes like IP Math Tuition, we also offer IB tuition for selected subjects such as mathematics, sciences, economics, and business management. Get in touch to find out more about class availability and timings!