When choosing your Group 3 subject in the IB Diploma Programme, two strong options are IB Digital Society and IB History. Both build critical thinking and essay-writing skills, but they emphasize very different perspectives.
If you’re unsure which to take, this guide will help you understand the focus of each subject, how they compare, and what universities value in them.
Quick Start Checklist: Digital Society vs History
- Digital Society: explores technology’s impact on culture, politics, and ethics.
- History: investigates past events and their interpretations.
- Both: emphasize essay writing, source evaluation, and critical thinking.
- Digital Society suits students interested in modern issues and global change.
- History suits students interested in historical depth and contextual analysis.
- Both prepare you for university pathways in humanities and social sciences.
What You Learn in IB Digital Society
Digital Society focuses on the contemporary world, especially the effects of digital transformation. Topics include surveillance, AI ethics, cultural identity, and global communication.
Assessments reward reflection, argumentation, and interdisciplinary thinking. It’s less about memorizing dates and more about analyzing how technology reshapes human experience.
For more on how coursework demonstrates these strengths, check out our guide on IB coursework strengths analysis.
What You Learn in IB History
History explores the past, teaching students how to analyze sources, build interpretations, and write evidence-based essays. Topics depend on your school’s curriculum but often include wars, revolutions, and social change.
History strengthens your ability to think contextually and understand cause and consequence. These skills are invaluable for university programs in law, politics, and the humanities.
If you’re curious how universities assess IB History students, read our article on what universities look for in IB History HL students.
Overlaps Between the Two Subjects
Both subjects train students in:
- Critical thinking: questioning evidence and assumptions.
- Essay writing: organizing arguments with clarity.
- Global awareness: connecting local case studies to broader contexts.
The difference lies in time frame. History examines how the past shaped today, while Digital Society explores how the present shapes the future.
For a broader view of IB expectations, see the IB learner profile.
Which Subject Do Universities Prefer?
Universities respect both subjects, but preferences depend on the program:
- History is traditionally valued for law, politics, and humanities degrees.
- Digital Society appeals to programs in media, sociology, international relations, and technology studies.
If you’re considering politics-related pathways, see our resource on choosing IB subjects for a politics degree.
Predicted Grades and Applications
Teachers assess predicted grades differently across these subjects:
- In History, success often comes from consistent essay practice and source analysis.
- In Digital Society, strong predictions come from interdisciplinary thinking and ethical reflection.
To understand how predicted grades affect university offers, see Do IB predicted grades matter for conditional offers?.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Which is harder: Digital Society or History?
It depends on your strengths. History requires strong memory and contextual analysis, while Digital Society emphasizes open-ended thinking about current issues. Both can be challenging in different ways.
2. Can I take both subjects?
Yes, if your school allows more than one Group 3 course. Taking both gives you a wide range of skills, but it can also add workload, especially at HL.
3. Which subject gives me more career options?
History is more traditional, connecting to careers in law, politics, and academia. Digital Society prepares you for modern fields like media, tech policy, and global communications. Both offer transferable skills valued by employers.
Conclusion: Which Suits You Best?
IB Digital Society and History both build strong critical thinking, research, and essay-writing skills. The choice depends on whether you prefer analyzing the past or the present and future.
Whichever you choose, both are respected by universities and can help you develop the skills needed for academic and professional success.
At RevisionDojo, we help you maximize your strengths in either subject — guiding you through assessments and preparing you for the future.
Choose confidently, and let RevisionDojo support your IB journey.
