What Are The Least Popular IB Subjects in 2025?

Ever wondered which IB subjects hardly anyone takes? You're not the only one curious.

Whilst everyone talks about popular subjects like Maths and English, there's a whole world of lesser-known IB courses that most students never even hear about. Some have tiny class sizes. Others might not even run at your school.

But does unpopular automatically mean bad? Not at all.

Let's explore which IB subjects are least popular, why that happens, and whether choosing one could actually work in your favour.

Key Takeaways

• Classical subjects have incredibly low numbers. Classical Greek & Roman Studies has just 38 students worldwide taking it in May 2024.

• Niche sciences struggle for popularity. Subjects like Astronomy and Nature of Science attract fewer than 120 students globally.

• The Arts and Interdisciplinary groups are smallest overall. These groups have significantly lower total enrolment than Sciences or Individuals and Societies.

• Unpopular doesn't mean worthless. Less popular subjects can offer amazing advantages like tiny classes, unique knowledge, and opportunities to stand out.

Why Students Are Curious About the Least Popular Subjects

There are many reasons you might be researching the least popular IB subjects.

• You're worried about support. If only a handful of students take a subject, will there be decent resources? Will your teacher know it well? These are fair concerns.

• You want to stand out. Maybe you're thinking about taking something unusual to make your university application more interesting. That's actually pretty smart thinking.

• You're concerned about university recognition. Does taking a rare subject hurt your chances? Will universities even know what it is?

• You're just curious. Sometimes you want to know what's out there beyond the usual History and Biology options.

• You've discovered a niche interest. Perhaps you're genuinely fascinated by Marine Science or Dance, and you want to know if you're alone in that passion.

All of these are valid reasons to research less popular subjects. Let's look at the numbers.

Top 10 Least Popular IB Subjects

Based on IB Diploma Programme data from May 2024 (opens in a new tab), here are the subjects with the lowest enrolment numbers worldwide.

Important note: Many Language A, Language B, and ab initio courses for smaller languages have even lower numbers (sometimes just 10-50 students globally). We've focused on mainstream curriculum subjects here to give you a clearer picture.

These numbers represent actual student entries globally for May 2024 exams. To put this in perspective, Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation SL had 41,747 entries in the same period. That's over 1,000 times more students than Classical Greek & Roman Studies.

Even more niche: Some IB subjects are so rare that fewer than 10 students worldwide take them. The IB doesn't publish exact numbers for these ultra-niche courses, but they do exist.

Subject Group Context

Here's how the subject groups rank by total enrolment in May 2024:

Notice something interesting? Individuals and Societies is the largest group overall, yet it contains five of the ten least popular subjects. This shows that even within popular groups, certain subjects get overlooked.

Meanwhile, Interdisciplinary and The Arts are the smallest groups, which partly explains why subjects like Literature and Performance and Dance have lower numbers.

Reasons These Subjects Are Less Commonly Chosen

Several factors explain why certain subjects barely make a dent in enrolment numbers.

• They're incredibly niche. Classical Greek & Roman Studies with just 38 students worldwide is minute. Most students don't even know it exists.

• Limited availability. Your school probably doesn't offer Astronomy or Marine Science. These subjects require specialist teachers and equipment that most schools simply don't have. 

• Regional specificity. Subjects like Brazilian Social Studies or Turkey in the 20th Century are designed for regional, not global appeal.

• Perceived difficulty. Dance and Literature and Performance are demanding subjects that require specific talents. Not every student feels equipped to tackle them.

• No clear career path. Students struggle to see where Classical Studies or Art History lead - these subjects don’t feel obviously useful.

• They're only offered at SL. Notice that nine of the ten least popular subjects are SL only. This limits their appeal to students who might want to take them at Higher Level.

• Teacher scarcity. Finding a qualified Astronomy teacher is tough. Schools can't offer subjects they can't staff properly.

• Assessment challenges. Subjects like Dance involve practical assessments that many schools lack facilities for. This creates a barrier to offering them.

Are There Advantages to Picking a Less Popular IB Subject?

Absolutely. Going against the grain can have real benefits.

• Tiny class sizes. Imagine being one of 38 students worldwide taking a subject. Your class is probably you and maybe two others. That means incredible amounts of individual teacher attention.

• You'll definitely stand out. University admissions tutors read thousands of applications. Most list the same subjects. Taking Marine Science or Dance – you're memorable.

• Develop unique expertise. How many people can discuss Classical Greek philosophy or understand marine ecosystems at degree level? These subjects give you rare, specialist knowledge.

• Less competition. In popular subjects, you're competing with thousands of other students. In niche subjects, you're part of a tiny, select group.

• Passionate teachers. Teachers who run ultra-niche subjects are usually incredibly enthusiastic. 

• Perfect for genuine interests. Enthusiasm translates into better performance and a more enjoyable IB experience.

• Demonstrates courage. Choosing an unusual subject shows universities you're confident enough to pursue genuine interests.

To better understand the IB Diploma as a whole and how these subjects fit into it, read our complete guide to the IB diploma. 

When a Niche Subject Might Not Be the Best Choice

Less popular subjects aren't always the right move. Here's when to be cautious.

Your school doesn't support it very well. If your school offers Marine Science but the teacher is inexperienced or resources are limited, you'll struggle. Check how well-established the subject is at your school.

It doesn't align with university requirements. If you want to study Engineering and you take Art History instead of Physics, you've got a problem. Always check what your target universities actually require.

Limited resources exist. Niche subjects often have fewer textbooks, fewer YouTube tutorials, and smaller online communities. If you rely heavily on external resources, this could frustrate you.

You can't continue it. Some ultra-niche IB subjects don't have A-Level equivalents or university degree programmes. If you love the subject and want to continue studying it, check whether that's actually possible.

Teacher quality is poor. A brilliant teacher in History beats a mediocre teacher in Astronomy, regardless of uniqueness. Talk to older students about teacher quality before committing.

It clashes with core subjects. If the only time slot for Dance conflicts with your Maths HL class, that's a non-starter.

Our guides to the different IB options will help you decide for yourself!

How to Decide If a Less Popular Subject Is Right for You

Here's a simple framework for making smart decisions about niche subjects.

Check your genuine interest level. Do you actually care about this subject, or does it just sound cool? Be honest with yourself.

Investigate your school's offering. Talk to the teacher. Find out how many students typically take it. Ask about resources and support available.

Look at university requirements. Does this subject meet the requirements for courses you're interested in? Or does it replace something essential?

Consider your workload. Some niche subjects are incredibly demanding (Dance, Literature and Performance). Make sure you can handle them alongside your other commitments.

Talk to current or former students. If anyone at your school has taken the subject, get their honest opinion about difficulty, enjoyment, and usefulness.

Think about continuation options. Can you study this subject at university if you fall in love with it? Or is it a one-off experience?

Balance your subject combination. Don't load up entirely on niche subjects. Mix unusual choices with more mainstream ones to demonstrate versatility.

Evaluate teacher enthusiasm and quality. A passionate, skilled teacher can make even the most obscure subject amazing.

You can also explore different subjects with our extensive IB Revision resources.

Quick checklist:

• ☐ I'm genuinely interested in this subject

• ☐ My school offers good support for it

• ☐ It doesn't conflict with university requirements

• ☐ I've spoken to students who've taken it

• ☐ The teacher is experienced and enthusiastic

• ☐ I'm choosing it for the right reasons (interest, not just uniqueness)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the least popular IB subject overall?

Classical Greek & Roman Studies is the least popular mainstream IB subject, with just 38 student entries worldwide in May 2024. This SL-only subject explores ancient Greek and Roman civilisation, literature, and philosophy. It's incredibly niche and only offered at schools with strong classics departments. 

Are unpopular IB subjects more difficult?

Not necessarily. Difficulty varies hugely across less popular subjects. Dance and Literature and Performance are demanding, requiring copious talent and work. But subjects like Marine Science or Art History aren't inherently harder than popular options like Chemistry or History—they're just more niche. Some unpopular subjects might actually be more approachable than mainstream ones. 

Can taking a rare IB subject help with university applications?

Yes, potentially. Taking an unusual subject can make your application more memorable and demonstrate genuine intellectual curiosity. Admissions tutors read thousands of applications listing the same subjects. If you've taken Marine Science, Astronomy, or Dance, you stand out. However, this only helps if you also meet the university's specific subject requirements and perform well. 

Final Thoughts

The least popular IB subjects aren't unpopular because they're bad. They're less common because they're niche, regionally specific, or simply unknown to most students.

Classical Greek & Roman Studies, Astronomy, Marine Science, and Dance are brilliant subjects. They're just not for everyone—and that's fine.

If you're genuinely passionate about one of these subjects, don't let low enrolment numbers scare you off. Small classes, passionate teachers, and unique knowledge are real advantages. You'll stand out, develop specialist expertise, and study something you love.

But be smart about it. Make sure your school supports the subject properly. Check that it doesn't conflict with university requirements. Talk to teachers and older students. 

What matters is making informed choices that match your interests, support your goals, and set you up for success.

References

• The IB Diploma Programme and Career-Related Programme Final Statistical Bulletin (opens in a new tab)