Aims (Further information on the IB webpages)

In addition to the other Group 3 aims, students who study Psychology will:

• develop an awareness of how psychological research can be applied for the benefit of human beings;

• ensure that ethical practices are upheld in psychological inquiry;

• develop an understanding of the biological, cognitive and sociocultural influences on human behaviour;

• develop an understanding of alternative explanations of behaviour; and understand and use diverse methods of psychological inquiry.

Psychology is the systematic study of behaviour and mental processes. Psychology has its roots in both the natural and social sciences, leading to a variety of research designs and applications, and providing a unique approach to understanding modern society.

IB Psychology examines the interaction of biological, cognitive and sociocultural influences on human behaviour, thereby adopting an integrative approach. Understanding how psychological knowledge is generated, developed and applied enables students to achieve a greater understanding of themselves and appreciate the diversity of human behaviour. The ethical concerns raised by the methodology and application of psychological research are key considerations in IB Psychology.

Aims (Further information on the IB webpages)

Business Management studies business functions, management processes and decision-making in contemporary contexts of strategic uncertainty. It examines how business decisions are influenced by factors internal and external to an organization, and how these decisions impact upon its stakeholders, both internally and externally.

Business Management also explores how individuals and groups interact within an organization, how they may be successfully managed and how they can ethically optimize the use of resources in a world with increasing scarcity and concern for sustainability. It is the study of decision-making within an organization.

Students learn to analyse, discuss and evaluate business activities at local, national and international levels. The course covers a range of organizations from all sectors, as well as the socio-cultural and economic contexts in which these organizations operate.

Emphasis is placed on strategic decision-making and the operational business functions of human resource management, finance and accounts, marketing and operations management. Links between the topics are central to the course, as this integration promotes a holistic overview of business management. Through the exploration of six concepts underpinning the subject (change, culture, ethics, globalization, innovation and strategy), the business management course allows students to develop their understanding of interdisciplinary concepts from a business management perspective.

Aims (Further information on the IB webpages)

Geography is a dynamic subject that is firmly grounded in the real world; it seeks to identify trends and patterns and examines the processes behind them. It describes and helps to explain the similarities and differences between spaces and places. 

Within Group 3 subjects, Geography is distinctive in that it occupies the middle ground between social sciences and natural sciences, and ensures that students acquire elements of both scientific and socio-economic methodologies. Geography takes advantage of its position between both these groups of subjects to examine relevant concepts and ideas from a wide variety of disciplines. 

The Geography course embodies global and international awareness in several distinct ways. It examines key global issues, such as poverty, sustainability and climate change. It considers examples and detailed case studies at a variety of scales, from local to regional, national and international. Inherent in the syllabus is a consideration of different perspectives, economic circumstances and social and cultural diversity.

Geography also aims to develop values and attitudes that will help students reach a degree of personal commitment in trying to resolve these issues, appreciating our shared responsibility as citizens of an increasingly interconnected world.

Aims (Further information on the IB webpages)

Economics is an exciting, dynamic subject that allows students to develop an understanding of the complexities and interdependence of economic activities in a rapidly changing world. At the heart of economic theory is the problem of scarcity. While the world’s population has unlimited needs and wants, there are limited resources to satisfy these needs and wants. As a result of this scarcity, choices have to be made.

The Economics course, at both SL and HL, uses economic theories to examine the ways in which these choices are made:

• at the level of producers and consumers in individual markets (microeconomics);

• at the level of the government and the national economy (macroeconomics); and

• at an international level where countries are becoming increasingly interdependent through international trade and the movement of labour and capital (the global economy).

By focusing on the six real-world issues through the nine key concepts (scarcity, choice, efficiency, equity, economic well-being, sustainability, change, interdependence and intervention), students of the economics course will develop the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes that will encourage them to act responsibly as global citizens.

The Economics course requires no specific prior learning of Economics. No particular background in terms of specific subjects studied for national or international qualifications is expected or required. The specific skills of the Economics course are developed within the context of the course itself. However, the ability to understand and explain abstract concepts and write in a logically structured manner are distinct advantages in economics.

The aims of the economics course at SL and HL are to enable students to:

• develop a critical understanding of a range of economic theories, models, ideas and tools in the areas of microeconomics, macroeconomics and the global economy;

• apply economic theories, models, ideas and tools and analyse economic data to understand and engage with real-world economic issues and problems facing individuals and societies; and

• develop a conceptual understanding of individuals’ and societies’ economic choices, interactions, challenges and consequences of economic decision-making.

Aims (Further information on the IB Webpages)

History matters because it seeks to explain the past, an understanding of which is vital if we are to make sense of our present and future. We must not only seek to find out when things happened but also why they happened. History is not about simply learning accepted “facts”, but challenging accepted ideas and offering possible alternative and personal views.

The aims of IB History are to promote an understanding of history as a discipline, including the nature and diversity of its sources, methods and interpretations; encourage an understanding of the present through critical reflection upon the past; encourage an understanding of the impact of historical developments at national, regional and international levels and to develop an awareness of one’s own historical identity through the study of the historical experiences of different cultures.

Career & Degree Opportunities

IB History is usually required for students who wish to study History in Higher Education. A History degree, like most other purely academic degrees, can be a pathway into many possible careers. The study of History involves the development of many worthwhile and cross-curricular skills; therefore a History degree is often taken as proof of all-round ability and as such it can lead into such diverse areas as banking, accountancy, law, teaching, marketing, the media, the Civil Service, the military, industrial administration and information handling/ retrieval.

Aims (Further information on the IB webpages)

• Do you want to understand how AI and Large Language models really work, and how this has implications for how you learn, how you will be employed in the future?

• Do you want to understand how the school is using facial recognition technology on all its cameras, to collect data on students moods and focus?

• Do you want to understand how data analysis, is being used to profile you as a student and will affect your ability to apply to certain universities?

Well then study DIGITAL SOCIETY!

Digital Society replaced Information Technology in a Global Society in August 2022. Although the course has many similarities it has been updated and changed to reflect how technology is affecting and influencing every aspect of our lives as such a rapid pace. It is very much a programme that evolves as technology involves, with placing the learner at the centre of an inquiry based approach to learning and discovery.

Digital society is an interdisciplinary course within the individuals and societies subject group. The course is designed for young people interested in exploring the impact and importance of digital systems and technologies in the contemporary world. 

The course integrates concepts, content and contexts through inquiry.

• Concepts such as expression, space and identity highlight powerful, pervasive and debatable perspectives that provide insight for inquiry.

• Content informs inquiry with details about digital systems including areas related to data, algorithms, media, AI, robotics and more.

• Contexts situate inquiry into areas significant to life in digital society including social, cultural and environmental contexts.