What Is an IB School-Based Syllabus?

When you choose your IB subjects, you pick from a set list. A few students study something that isn't on it at all.

That's what an IB school-based syllabus lets you do. This guide explains what it is, which subjects can use it, and whether it's worth taking.

Key Takeaways

• An IB school-based syllabus (SBS) is a Diploma subject a school designs itself and the IB approves, to teach something the standard list doesn't cover

• It's available at Standard Level only, and only in three groups: Individuals and Societies, the Sciences, and the Arts

• It counts as one of your six IB subjects and is assessed to the same standard as any other

• Astronomy and Art History are some examples

• Availability depends on your school, since each SBS belongs to the school that created it

What is an IB school-based syllabus?

An IB school-based syllabus, often shortened to SBS, is a Diploma Programme subject that a school designs and the IB approves. It exists so a school can offer something the IB doesn't provide as a standard subject.

A school proposes the course, builds the syllabus with the IB, and can only teach it once it's officially approved. So an SBS is a real, recognised IB subject, not an informal class your school runs on the side.

Most IB students never encounter one. They're rare, and you'll only come across an SBS if your school has created and registered it.

Which subjects can be a school-based syllabus?

A school can't turn just any idea into an SBS. The IB allows them in only three subject groups: Individuals and Societies, the Sciences, and the Arts.

Every SBS is offered at Standard Level (SL). There's no Higher Level (HL) version, which keeps the workload in line with a normal SL subject.

Literary Arts and Marine Science are two approved examples. A school by the coast might run Marine Science, while another might offer Literary Arts because a teacher has the expertise to lead it.

How a school-based syllabus gets approved

A school can't simply write a course and start teaching it. Each SBS is proposed by an IB World School and reviewed by IB staff and the Diploma Review Committee before it's allowed to run.

To be approved, the syllabus has to meet clear standards. It must include at least 150 teaching hours, the same as any other SL subject, and adopt the aims of its subject group.

It also has to offer a challenge comparable to other Standard Level subjects in that group, and push you to think critically and conceptually. The bar is the same as for mainstream subjects.

How it's assessed and how it counts

An SBS is examined to the same standard as any mainstream IB subject, under the same assessment conditions. It isn't an easier or lesser route.

You take it as one of your six Diploma subjects, at Standard Level. It usually sits in the flexible slot where you'd otherwise pick a sixth subject, so it works much like any other choice. Our guide to the difference between Standard and Higher Level explains how SL fits into your overall programme, and you can read more about how many subjects you take across the Diploma.

Is an IB school-based syllabus worth taking?

For the right student, an SBS is a genuinely exciting opportunity. It lets you study a real interest, like classical Greek or Turkey in the 20th century, that you couldn't pursue through the standard subjects.

There are trade-offs to consider. It's Standard Level only, far fewer students take it, and there are limited external resources or past papers compared with mainstream subjects.

Universities assess an SBS as a normal IB subject, since it appears on your diploma and is marked to the same standard. Even so, check the specific entry requirements for competitive courses, as some ask for particular mainstream subjects. It's also worth reading about whether the IB is worth it and whether universities accept the IB before you commit.

How to decide if it's right for you

Start by talking to your IB coordinator, since they'll know whether your school offers an SBS at all. If it does, ask how it's taught and assessed, and who leads it.

Then weigh it up against your other options and your plans after school. Thinking about your full mix of subjects helps, so our guide to the best IB subject combinations is a useful next step.

You can explore examiner-written notes and exam-style questions for your other Diploma subjects on our IB revision platform. They're built to help you understand each subject quickly and walk into your exams feeling ready. Explore them and start improving your grades today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What subjects are available as an IB school-based syllabus?

It varies by school, since each SBS is created by the school that offers it. Approved examples include Astronomy and Marine Science, and an SBS can only sit within Individuals and Societies, the Sciences, or the Arts.

Is a school-based syllabus SL or HL?

Every school-based syllabus is Standard Level only. There's no Higher Level version, so the workload matches a typical SL subject.

Does a school-based syllabus count towards the IB Diploma?

Yes. An SBS counts as one of your six Diploma subjects and is assessed to the same standard as any mainstream subject.

Do universities accept IB school-based syllabuses?

Generally yes, because an SBS is a recognised IB subject marked to the same standard and listed on your diploma. Always check the entry requirements for your specific course, as some competitive degrees ask for particular subjects.