What is IB Geography and what topics does it cover?

IB Geography is an interdisciplinary course that explores the complex interactions between people, places, and environments by integrating both physical and human geography. Core topics include population studies, urban development, climate change, natural hazards, resource distribution and conflicts, and global environmental challenges. HL students also study geopolitics, resource management, and global interconnections.

What is the difference between IB Geography SL and HL?

SL requires 150 teaching hours with 2 exam papers covering core themes plus 2 optional themes. HL requires 240 teaching hours with 3 exam papers covering core themes plus 3 optional themes and an additional HL extension on Global Interactions. HL offers greater depth, complexity, and analytical rigor compared to SL.

How is IB Geography assessed?

Assessment includes external exams and internal assessment. Paper 1 covers geographic themes (2h 15m), Paper 2 focuses on global change (1h 15m), and Paper 3 is HL only covering global interactions (1h). The Internal Assessment is a 2500-word geographical field study worth 25% for SL and 20% for HL, requiring about 20 hours of primary data collection.

Is IB Geography difficult and what makes it challenging?

IB Geography is considered challenging due to the depth of content, analytical skills required, and demanding fieldwork component. Students must manage complex geographic theories, data interpretation, and conduct independent research for the IA. HL is particularly demanding with additional content and a third exam paper. Strong time management and research skills are essential.

What are the prerequisites for taking IB Geography?

There are no strict prerequisites for IB Geography, but students benefit from good analytical, research, writing, and critical-thinking skills. A background in sciences or humanities is helpful but not required. Students should have an interest in environmental and social issues and be comfortable with data analysis and fieldwork.

What career opportunities does IB Geography lead to?

IB Geography prepares students for careers in Environmental Science, Urban and Regional Planning, International Development, Geographical Information Systems (GIS), Geopolitics and Diplomacy, and Sustainable Development and Climate Change Policy. Universities value the course for developing critical thinking, research skills, and global awareness applicable to many disciplines.

What should I expect from the fieldwork requirement?

All IB Geography students must complete about 20 hours of mandatory fieldwork involving primary data collection from specific geographic locations. This forms the basis of the Internal Assessment, which requires a geographically focused research question, clear geographic context with maps, and analysis linking theory to practice. Students often work collaboratively to collect data but must produce individual 2500-word reports.

IB Geography Resources

International Baccalaureate (IB)

Browse IB Geography notes, questionbank questions, videos, and flashcards, and revision tools for SL and HL.

IB Geography is a Group 3 subject in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). It explores physical and human geography, environmental interactions, global challenges, and spatial patterns, with a strong focus on fieldwork, data analysis, case studies, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

The course is available at Standard Level (SL), 150 teaching hours and Higher Level (HL), 240 teaching hours, with first assessment in 2025.

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Assessment at a Glance

Assessment	Format	SL	HL	Weighting
Paper 1	Geographic themes - structured questions	2h 15min	2h 15min	SL: 35% / HL: 35%
Paper 2	Geographic perspectives - data response and essays	1h 15min	1h 15min	SL: 40% / HL: 45%
Paper 3	Global interactions - extended essay responses	N/A	1h	HL: 20%
Internal Assessment	Fieldwork investigation (2,500 words)	20 hours	20 hours	SL: 25% / HL: 20%

1.1 Population and economic development patterns

1.2 Changing populations and places

1.3 Population challenges and opportunities

2.1 Causes of global climate change

2.2 Consequences of global climate change

2.3 Responding to climate change and building resilience

3.1 Global trends in consumption

3.2 Impacts of changing trends in resource consumption - the Water-Food-Energy nexus

3.3 Resource stewardship possibilities

4.1 Global interactions and global power

4.2 Global networks and flows

4.3 Human and physical influences on global interactions

5.1 Development opportunities

5.2 Changing identities and cultures

5.3 The power of places to resist or accept change

6.1 Geopolitical and economic risks

6.2 Environmental risks

6.3 Local and global resilience

A.1 Drainage basin hydrology and geomorphology

A.2 Flooding and flood mitigation

A.3 Water scarcity and water quality

A.4 Water management futures

B.1 Ocean-atmosphere interactions

B.2 Interactions between oceans and the coastal places

B.3 Managing coastal margins

B.4 Ocean management futures

C.1 The characteristics of extreme environments

C.2 Physical processes and landscapes

C.3 Managing extreme environments

C.4 Extreme environments’ futures

D.1 Geophysical systems

D.2 Geophysical hazard risks

D.3 Hazard risk and vulnerability

D.4 Future resilience and adaptation

E.1 Changing leisure patterns

E.2 Tourism and sport at the local and national scale

E.3 Tourism and sport at the international scale

E.4 Managing tourism and sport for the future

F.1 Measuring food and health

F.2 Food systems and the spread of disease

F.3 Stakeholders in food and health

F.4 Future health and food security and sustainability

G.1 The variety of urban environments

G.2 Changing urban systems

G.3 Urban environmental and social stresses

G.4 Building sustainable urban systems for the future

G.5 Synthesis, Evaluation, and Skills

Course Aims & Skills

Develop an understanding of the dynamic interrelationships between people, places, spaces and the environment at different scales

Develop a critical awareness and consider complexity thinking in the context of the nexus of geographic issues

Acquire an in-depth understanding of how geographic issues, or wicked problems, have been shaped by powerful human and physical processes