What Are The Most Popular IB Subjects in 2025?

Does choosing your IB subjects feel like a massive decision? Should you be picking the subjects everyone else is doing?

You're not alone in wanting to know what's popular. Understanding which subjects other students choose can help inform your own decisions. But it’s not all you should be considering.

Let's look at the real data from the International Baccalaureate Organisation and figure out what the most popular IB subjects really are.

Key Takeaways

• English A has taken the top spot. English A: Language and Literature HL is the single most popular IB subject with 43,338 entries in May 2025, overtaking Maths: Applications and Interpretation SL.

• Maths and English still dominate. The two Maths pathways and two English A variants fill four of the top seven spots.

• Individuals and Societies is the most popular subject group. It beats Language and Literature and Sciences on total enrolment.

Why Students Want to Know Which IB Subjects Are Popular

There are plenty of reasons you might be researching popular IB subjects right now.

• You want reassurance. Knowing that thousands of other students are taking the same subjects offers comfort when things get tough.

• You're looking for subjects with good support. Popular subjects typically have experienced teachers, loads of resources, and plenty of online help.

• You want to know about competition. Understanding popularity helps you see where competition might be toughest, both in your classes and when applying to universities.

• You're seeking validation. Maybe you've already chosen your subjects and want to check you're on a sensible path.

All of these reasons are valid. But remember, popularity is just one piece of information. Let's look at what the data shows.

The 10 Most Popular IB Subjects

Based on IB Diploma Programme data from May 2025 (opens in a new tab), here are the subjects with the highest individual enrolment numbers.

These numbers represent actual student entries globally for May 2025 exams.

Subject Popularity by IB Group

The IB organises subjects into six groups. Here's how popularity breaks down across them.

Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature — 150,211 student entries

This is the second-largest group overall. English A subjects dominate, with Language and Literature being particularly popular at both HL and SL. Every IB student must take a Group 1 subject, which explains the high numbers.

Group 2: Language Acquisition — 114,012 student entries

Language Acquisition (your second language) sees solid numbers but ranks fifth amongst the six groups. Spanish and French are the most chosen languages, though this varies by region.

Group 3: Individuals and Societies — 177,341 student entries

This is the most popular subject group by total enrolment. History, Economics, Business Management, and Geography all attract strong numbers. History HL alone had over 37,000 entries, making it one of the most popular individual subjects.

Group 4: Sciences — 146,799 student entries

The sciences come in third. Biology is the clear winner here, appearing twice in the top ten (both HL and SL). Chemistry and Physics also see strong enrolment, though slightly lower than Biology.

Group 5: Mathematics — 118,819 student entries

Maths is compulsory for all IB students, but the numbers are split between two pathways. Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation (the more applied option) edges out Analysis and Approaches (the more theoretical option) in popularity.

Group 6: The Arts — 28,804 student entries

The Arts group is significantly smaller. Many students use their Group 6 slot to take an additional science, humanity, or language instead. Visual Arts is the most popular choice for students who do take an arts subject.

Interdisciplinary Subjects — 22,846 student entries

These are the smallest group. Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS) is the main option here, often chosen by students who want a less traditional science pathway.

Why These Subjects Are So Popular

Understanding why the top ten subjects dominate helps you see what drives these trends.

• They're compulsory in most cases. Every IB student needs English (or another language), a second language, a humanity, a science, and maths. This structure automatically makes certain groups more popular simply because you have to pick from them.

• Some are seen as more accessible. Students gravitate towards options that feel manageable. Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation SL is more popular than Analysis and Approaches SL, partly because it's considered more approachable.

• Universities value them. History HL, Biology HL, and English at HL all appear in the top ten because these subjects are respected by universities.

• They have broad relevance. Subjects like Business Management and Biology appeal to students with specific career interests.

• Teacher support is strong. Popular subjects get investment and resources from schools. Students feel more confident choosing subjects where support is guaranteed.

• They're offered everywhere. Nearly every IB school offers English, History, Biology, and both Maths pathways. Less common subjects like Film or Dance might not be available at your school at all.

• Students enjoy them. History and English remain popular partly because students find them engaging. When you're curious about a subject, you're more willing to tackle it.

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

Should You Consider Popularity When Picking IB Subjects?

Yes. Popularity gives you useful information, but it shouldn't be your only guide.

• Your strengths matter most. If you excel at languages but struggle with sciences, don't force yourself into Biology HL just because it's popular. Play to your strengths.

• Your university plans are crucial. Match your subjects to your future goals.

• Interest keeps you motivated. The IB is tough. You'll be studying these subjects intensively for two years.

• Balance is important. Universities like to see well-rounded students. Taking popular subjects across different groups shows versatility.

• Higher Level choices need thought. Many popular subjects appear at HL in the top ten. But don't pick HL subjects just because they're popular — HL is significantly more demanding than SL.

• Teacher quality varies. A brilliant teacher in a less popular subject beats a mediocre teacher in a popular one. Ask older students about which teachers are genuinely good at your school.

Common Pitfalls of Choosing Based on Popularity

Following popularity blindly can create problems. Here's what to watch out for.

You might end up in the wrong subject. Just because thousands of students take Business Management doesn't mean it's right for you. If you find it boring, popularity won't make it more interesting.

Competition can be fierce. Popular subjects mean you're competing with loads of other students, both in your school and globally. If you're borderline between two subjects, the less popular option might give you more room to shine.

You might miss out on unique opportunities. Less popular subjects like Film, Psychology, or Computer Science can make you stand out on university applications.

Teacher attention gets spread thin. Popular subjects sometimes have larger classes, meaning less individual attention. A small class in a less trendy subject might actually serve you better.

You could ignore your genuine interests. If you're passionate about Music or Visual Arts but skip them because they're less popular, you're missing out on subjects you'd love and potentially excel in.

University requirements matter more. Popularity is irrelevant if you don't meet your university's specific subject requirements.

Popularity should be one factor amongst many, not your sole decision-making tool.

Our guides to the different IB options will help you decide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most popular IB subject?

English A: Language and Literature HL is the most popular IB subject in May 2025, with 43,338 student entries. This English pathway covers both the study of literature and the analysis of language in context, and is taken by students worldwide as their Group 1 subject.

Are the most popular IB subjects also the easiest?

Not at all. Popular doesn't mean easy. Popularity reflects factors like availability, perceived usefulness, and university requirements more than difficulty. Always check pass rates and score distributions for specific subjects rather than assuming popular means simple.

Do universities prefer certain IB subjects over others?

Universities care about whether you've taken the right subjects for your intended degree, rather than whether those subjects are popular. 

If you're applying for Engineering, for example, they want Maths HL and Physics HL. However, traditional academic subjects at Higher Level - History, Sciences, Languages, Maths - are well-regarded because they demonstrate rigorous thinking.

Final Thoughts

The most popular IB subjects reflect what works for many students. English, Maths, History, and Biology dominate because they're widely available, well-supported, and valued by universities.

Popular subjects are popular for good reasons. They offer strong resources, experienced teachers, and clear pathways to university. But they're not automatically the right choices for you.

Think about your strengths. 

• What subjects do you enjoy and perform well in? 

• What does your target university course require?

• What topics excite you enough to sustain two years of intensive study?

And when you’ve chosen the best IB subject combination for you, Save My Exams is here to help you revise without the stress. 

With everything in one place, you can use our examiner-written IB revision notes, flashcards, exam questions, and past papers whenever you need them. Join over 2 million students and boost your IB scores.

Explore our extensive bank of IB revision resources.

References

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