What is IB Geography?: Overview for Students

Heard of IB Geography but not sure what it's all about?

Whether you're considering it as part of your diploma program or just curious, this guide will walk you through what

• IB geography involves.

• How it's assessed.

• The skills you’ll learn along the way. 

If you want to make sense of the world, challenge your thinking, and boost your global awareness, keep reading. 

What is IB Geography?: Quick Summary

IB Geography is part of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (opens in a new tab) and explores how people interact with their environments. 

It combines elements of both human and physical geography and places a strong emphasis on global challenges. 

You’ll study topics like urbanisation, climate change, and development and apply geographical skills through fieldwork and data analysis.

Why Study Geography at IB?

The world doesn’t come with an instruction manual — but Geography gives you one.

By studying IB Geography, you’ll understand the forces shaping our planet and the decisions humans make in response. 

You’ll ask questions like:

• Why are some countries rich while others struggle? 

• What impact do rising sea levels have on coastal cities? 

• How can we manage our natural resources sustainably?

It’s a globally minded course that helps you connect local actions to global outcomes. And because it’s part of the IB, it pushes you to think critically, reflect deeply, and understand multiple perspectives.

What Does IB Geography Cover?

IB Geography is available at Standard Level (SL) and Higher Level (HL), with overlapping content but more depth at HL.

All students cover the same three core themes.

However, HL students cover three optional themes instead of two (at SL) along with an additional HL extension topic called global interactions. 

HL students sit an extra exam paper (Paper 3), making the course more demanding in both breadth and depth.

Want the full topic breakdown? Check out our IB Geography Topics page.

How is IB Geography Assessed?

The assessments are different depending on whether you're taking the course at SL or HL. Here’s how they compare:

What Are the Different Assessment Objectives?

IB Geography uses four assessment objectives to evaluate your understanding and skills:

• AO1: Knowledge and understanding – Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key geographic concepts, processes, and terminology across the course.

• AO2: Application and analysis – Apply geographic ideas to real-world examples and explain how processes work. Identify and interpret geographic patterns and processes in unfamiliar information, data and cartographic material.

• AO3: Synthesis and evaluation – You will integrate ideas, assess outcomes, and make balanced, evidence-based judgements. You will evaluate materials using methodology appropriate for geographic fieldwork

• AO4: Use of skills and techniques – Interpret and present information using maps, graphs, statistics, and visual sources. You will produce well-structured written material, using appropriate terminology.

What Skills Will Students Learn?

• Global Awareness
  You’ll develop a deep understanding of global systems and how local actions can have international consequences.

• Analytical Thinking
  You will learn how to interpret complex data sets, maps, and spatial patterns — then draw conclusions.

• Research and Fieldwork
  You’ll conduct an independent investigation, giving you experience in research design, data collection, and evaluation.

• Communication
  You will learn to present your findings in clear, structured essays and reports, supported by evidence.

• Critical Reflection
  You’ll challenge assumptions, consider multiple perspectives on global issues and critically evaluate sources.

IB Geography Exam Boards

There’s just one: International Baccalaureate (IB). (opens in a new tab)

The IB sets a global standard for teaching and assessment. While all students follow the same curriculum framework, schools may tailor optional themes to their local context. 

Top Tips for Success

• Know your case studies. 

  • Build up a toolkit of examples across regions and scales.

• Use diagrams and data. 

  • Geography loves visual evidence — make it part of your answers.

• Understand the command terms:

  • IB exams use specific command terms like ‘analyse’, ‘evaluate’, and ‘discuss’. Learn how detailed each command word needs to be, and try planning your answers to meet them.

• Practice Paper 3 (HL). 

  • If you’re at HL, don’t neglect the global interactions paper — it’s tougher than it looks. 

Want more tips? Check out our How to Revise IB Geography guide.

Frequently Asked Questions about IB Geography

Is IB Geography hard?

It’s no breeze, but if you’re engaged with global issues and willing to think critically, it’s a brilliant and rewarding subject.

Is IB Geography easy to pass?

With good organisation, strong case studies, and consistent revisions, most students can achieve a solid pass.

What careers can IB Geography lead to?

Geography opens doors in 

• International development

• Sustainability

• Diplomacy

• Environmental science

• GIS

• Urban planning, and beyond.

Boost Your Grades With Save My Exams

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the IB workload?  Join over 2 million students who use Save My Exams, the leading online revision platform. 

On average, students who use Save My Exams improve by two grades thanks to our comprehensive resources. From past papers and revision notes to exam-style questions tailored to your specific course, our revision tools help you to study smarter, not harder. 

Created by teachers and examiners who know exactly what you need to revise to achieve the best grades, our resources help students to save time and get straight to the content you need. 

Explore Our IB Geography Revision Resources

References

• IB Geography Subject Guide (opens in a new tab)

• IB Past Paper Archive (opens in a new tab)

• Save My Exams – IB Geography Revision Resources