What Are The Least Popular IB Subjects in 2025?

Ever wondered which IB subjects hardly anyone takes? You're not alone.

While 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 the least popular IB subjects and whether choosing one could work in your favour.

Key Takeaways

• Classical subjects have incredibly low numbers. Classical Greek & Roman Studies has just 43 students worldwide taking it in May 2025.

• Niche sciences struggle for popularity. Astronomy attracts just 53 students globally in May 2025. 

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

Why Students Are Curious About the Least Popular Subjects

There are many reasons to research 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. You're thinking about taking something unusual to make your university application more interesting. That's 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. You're 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 Statistical Bulletin data from May 2025 (opens in a new tab), here are the subjects with the lowest enrolment numbers worldwide.

A quick note before we dive in: Many Language A, Language B, and ab initio courses for smaller languages have even lower numbers (sometimes just 10-20 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 2025 exams. 

To put this in perspective, Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation SL had 42,968 entries in the same period.

Subject Group Context

Here's how the subject groups rank by total enrolment in May 2025:

Reasons These Subjects Are Less Commonly Chosen

Several factors explain why subjects find it difficult to make a dent in enrolment numbers.

• They're incredibly niche. Food Science and Technology with just 26 students worldwide is almost unheard of. Most students don't even know it exists.

• Limited availability. Your school may not 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. Literature and Performance is a demanding subject that requires specific talents.

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

• They're only offered at SL. All ten of the least popular subjects are SL only. This limits their appeal to students who 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. Some niche subjects involve practical assessments that many schools lack facilities for.

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 just 26 students worldwide taking a subject. Your class is you and maybe one or two others. That means an incredible amount of individual teacher attention.

• You'll definitely stand out. University admissions tutors read thousands of applications. Most list the same subjects. Taking Marine Science, Astronomy, or Language and Culture - 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 if a niche subject is worth it.

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 care about this subject, or does it just sound cool?

• Investigate your school's offering. 

  • Talk to the teacher. Find out how many students typically take it.

• Look at university requirements. 

  • Does this subject meet the requirements for courses you're interested in?

• Consider your workload. 

  • Some niche subjects are incredibly demanding.

• Talk to current or former students. 

  • 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?

• Balance your subject combination. 

  • 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 our full list of IB subjects guide.

A quick checklist to help you choose your IB subjects:

☐ 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)

Be sure to check out our best IB subject combination suggestions, and see if a less popular subject might fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the least popular IB subject overall?

Based on May 2025 data, Food Science and Technology SL is the least popular mainstream IB subject, with 26 student entries worldwide. Classical Greek & Roman Studies SL comes in second with 43 entries. Both are incredibly niche and only offered at a tiny number of schools globally.

Are unpopular IB subjects more difficult?

Not necessarily. Difficulty varies across less popular subjects. Literature and Performance is demanding, requiring real creative talent. 

But subjects like Marine Science or Art History aren't harder than popular options like Chemistry or History - they're more niche. 

Can taking a rare IB subject help with university applications?

Yes. Taking an unusual subject makes your application more memorable and demonstrates intellectual curiosity. 

Admissions tutors read thousands of applications listing the same subjects. If you've taken Marine Science, Astronomy, or Dance, you stand out. 

Start Your IB Journey With Save My Exams

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

If you're passionate about a less popular subject, 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.

At Save My Exams, we’re here to support you on every step of your IB journey. From examiner-written revision notes to past papers, exam questions, and flashcards - our study materials help students improve by an average of 2.6 grades.

Explore our IB revision resource collection.

References

IB Diploma Programme Statistical Bulletin May 2025 (opens in a new tab)