HERE ARE A FEW POINTS STUDENTS SHOULD KEEP IN MIND BEFORE THEY DECIDE ON A SUBJECT COMBINATION AT THE VARIOUS LEVELS OF THE IB AND IGCSE BOARDS
Understanding the structure of the IBDP and the IGCSE board is imperative before deciding on a subject combination, or for that matter, even a career. The IB Diploma programme consists of six groups and students can choose five subjects from five groups.In addition to this, students are also mandated to choose an arts subject from the sixth group or another subject from groups one to five.Subjects are further classified as high or standard level which basically refers to the number of hours the subjects are taught 240 teaching hours for the high level and 150 teaching hours for the standard level subjects. Typically, a student who wishes to study engineering at the college level should take a combination of physics, chemistry and math at the higher level and English, Hindi and business management at the standard level.
Those who find this higher level combination difficult to pursue can also take up business management at the higher level and chemistry at the standard level.
Similarly, if a student intends to major in business administration at the graduate level, he she can take up a combination of English, business management, math at the higher level and Spanish, biology and economics at the standard level.
While many colleges in the UK insist that students must take up math at the higher level in order to be considered for certain courses, most US universities are flexible and allow one to choose any course that they want to study regardless of the IBDP subjects.
However, it is advisable that students study math, unless they are sure about pursuing arts at the graduate level.
Those who wish to pursue their graduation in India, must take up a subject depending upon the course they wish to study and as per the criteria of the university they wish to study from. For example, if a student wants to pursue engineering from the University of Mumbai, they should take up a combination that consists of physics, chemistry and math, as per the university guidelines.
IB SUBJECT GROUPS
Group 1: Language and literature English, literature
Group 2: Language acquisition French, Hindi, Spanish
Group 3: Individuals and societies business management, economics, history, geography, psychology
Group 4: Sciences physics, chemistry, biology, computer science
Group 5: Mathematics math, math studies Group 6: Arts visual, performing arts, literature
>> IGCSE SUBJECT GROUPS
Group 1: English language, Hindi
Group 2: Economics, geography, history, English literature
Group 3: Physics, chemistry, biology
Group 4: Math, additional math
Group 5: Business studies, information technology
The IGCSE consists of five groups and students take up a minimum of five subjects to qualify for the exam. Students can also take up seven subjects, for which they are awarded an additional International Certificate of Education (ICE) qualification. Depending on the school and subjects they choose, students have the option of adding additional subjects to their combination. The Association of Indian Universities states that clearing five subjects (including English) at grades C or above in the IGCSE board is equivalent to a class X qualification hence making it possible for a student to migrate to the Indian board system. However, students who wish to study science must opt for math and science subjects including physics, chemistry and or biology. With a plethora of options to choose from, students are now spoiled for choice. It is imperative, however, that students choose subjects keeping in mind their career choice. If a student is uncertain about a career but knows that engineering is something he she will never do, then it is fine to drop science subjects so long as math is retained. Finally, if a student is certain of career based in arts, dropping math and science both is a viable option.
(The author is a study abroad career counsellor based in Mumbai)
Those who find this higher level combination difficult to pursue can also take up business management at the higher level and chemistry at the standard level.
Similarly, if a student intends to major in business administration at the graduate level, he she can take up a combination of English, business management, math at the higher level and Spanish, biology and economics at the standard level.
While many colleges in the UK insist that students must take up math at the higher level in order to be considered for certain courses, most US universities are flexible and allow one to choose any course that they want to study regardless of the IBDP subjects.
However, it is advisable that students study math, unless they are sure about pursuing arts at the graduate level.
Those who wish to pursue their graduation in India, must take up a subject depending upon the course they wish to study and as per the criteria of the university they wish to study from. For example, if a student wants to pursue engineering from the University of Mumbai, they should take up a combination that consists of physics, chemistry and math, as per the university guidelines.
IB SUBJECT GROUPS
Group 1: Language and literature English, literature
Group 2: Language acquisition French, Hindi, Spanish
Group 3: Individuals and societies business management, economics, history, geography, psychology
Group 4: Sciences physics, chemistry, biology, computer science
Group 5: Mathematics math, math studies Group 6: Arts visual, performing arts, literature
>> IGCSE SUBJECT GROUPS
Group 1: English language, Hindi
Group 2: Economics, geography, history, English literature
Group 3: Physics, chemistry, biology
Group 4: Math, additional math
Group 5: Business studies, information technology
The IGCSE consists of five groups and students take up a minimum of five subjects to qualify for the exam. Students can also take up seven subjects, for which they are awarded an additional International Certificate of Education (ICE) qualification. Depending on the school and subjects they choose, students have the option of adding additional subjects to their combination. The Association of Indian Universities states that clearing five subjects (including English) at grades C or above in the IGCSE board is equivalent to a class X qualification hence making it possible for a student to migrate to the Indian board system. However, students who wish to study science must opt for math and science subjects including physics, chemistry and or biology. With a plethora of options to choose from, students are now spoiled for choice. It is imperative, however, that students choose subjects keeping in mind their career choice. If a student is uncertain about a career but knows that engineering is something he she will never do, then it is fine to drop science subjects so long as math is retained. Finally, if a student is certain of career based in arts, dropping math and science both is a viable option.
(The author is a study abroad career counsellor based in Mumbai)
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