IB Global Politics is a course for students who want to understand how the world works, what makes it change and what stops it from changing. It is part of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP). The current course was first examined in 2026. This guide explains how it is organised, how it is assessed and how to succeed.
Key Takeaways
- The course is built around four key concepts: power, sovereignty, legitimacy and interdependence (IB, 2024).
- All students study the core topics and three thematic studies: rights and justice, development and sustainability, and peace and conflict.
- The internal assessment (IA) is the engagement project, where you explore a real political issue outside the classroom. It is worth 30% at Standard Level (SL) and 20% at Higher Level (HL).
- HL students complete an HL extension on global political challenges and sit an extra exam, Paper 3.
- No prior study of politics is needed. The IB says the skills you need are developed within the course.
What Is IB Global Politics?
According to the IB, the course draws on politics, international relations and the wider social sciences and humanities. You build knowledge by "critically engaging with contemporary political issues and challenges" that interest you.
Understanding power is at the heart of the course. From the start, you look at how power works across different, connected levels and how it affects people's everyday lives around the world.
Global Politics is a group 3 subject (individuals and societies), alongside subjects such as History, Economics and Geography. It is offered at SL and HL.
Concepts, Content and Contexts
The IB organises the course around inquiries that combine three things:
- Concepts, such as power, sovereignty, legitimacy and interdependence
- Content, such as political systems, actors, treaties, theories and models
- Contexts, meaning real-world examples, cases and case studies.
The IB says the course should focus on contemporary examples, which it defines as events from roughly the past two decades. Older historical examples can be used for background, but the focus should stay on current issues.
Course Structure and Teaching Hours
| Syllabus component | SL hours | HL hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core topics and thematic studies | 125 | 125 |
| Engagement project (internal assessment) | 25 | 35 |
| HL extension: global political challenges | – | 80 |
| Total | 150 | 240 |
Source: IB Global Politics guide, first assessment 2026.
SL and HL students study the same core topics and thematic studies. The extra HL time goes to the HL extension and a longer engagement project.
💡 Learn how each part of the IB grading system affects your final Diploma score.
The Four Key Concepts
The IB treats the key concepts as contested: part of the learning is discussing how different people understand them.
- Power: the IB describes power as an ability to bring about change, and also as part of the relationships between people.
- Sovereignty: a state's independence, control over its territory and ability to govern itself.
- Legitimacy: whether an actor or action is generally accepted by a population. It is the basis for all forms of governance.
- Interdependence: the mutual reliance between groups, organisations, regions and states, for example through trade, security or environmental agreements.
Core Topics: Understanding Power and Global Politics
The core topics are the foundation of the course. They cover six prescribed areas:
| Prescribed topic | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Framing global politics | Stakeholders and actors (such as states, intergovernmental organisations, NGOs, companies, social movements and the media) Political systems Legal frameworks, norms and institutions |
| Power in global politics | Definitions of power Types of power, including hard, soft and smart power Structural and relational power "power to, power over, power with" |
| Sovereignty in global politics | The nature of state sovereignty Challenges to sovereignty |
| Legitimacy in global politics | Sources of state and government legitimacy Challenges to legitimacy Legitimacy of non-state actors How legitimacy is gained and lost |
| Interdependence in global politics | Global governance and international law The UN, including the General Assembly and Security Council Cooperation and competition between actors |
| Theoretical perspectives | Theories, models and frameworks How to apply them Their bias and limitations |
Source: IB Global Politics guide, first assessment 2026.
No specific political theories are prescribed. However, the IB strongly encourages studying a range of theories, such as realism and liberalism alongside critical theories like feminism, postcolonialism and social constructivism.
The Three Thematic Studies
Every student studies three thematic studies. Each one is organised in the same way: contested meanings, the actors involved, how the theme is practised and studied, and the main debates.
| Rights and justice | Development and sustainability | Peace and conflict | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contested meanings | Rights Justice Liberty Equality | Development Sustainability Poverty Inequality | Peace Conflict Violence Non-violence |
| Examples of what you study | International and regional rights frameworks, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights The "Responsibility to protect" (R2P) Responses to rights violations | How development and sustainability are measured Pathways towards them Economic, environmental, political, social and institutional factors | Causes and types of conflict Peacemaking Peacekeeping Peacebuilding, including reconciliation and justice institutions |
| Debates | Politicisation of rights and justice Individual and collective rights Different understandings of rights | Globalisation Sustainable development Alternative views on development | Justifications of violence Legitimacy of violent and non-violent protest Effectiveness of peacebuilding |
Source: IB Global Politics guide, first assessment 2026.
There is no fixed order for studying these. Teachers can build the course around themes, regions or case studies, and link the core topics throughout. The IB notes that exam questions are set on the prescribed content, but they do not require particular examples. You can answer with any relevant cases.
HL Extension: Global Political Challenges
HL students carry out extended inquiries into global political challenges. The IB lists eight topic areas:
- Borders
- Environment
- Equality
- Health
- Identity
- Poverty
- Security
- Technology
The IB stresses that these areas overlap. You can study two topic areas in depth, or start from a case study and connect it to several areas. Either way, you must research at least two different case studies and at least two different topic areas. This research is what you draw on in HL Paper 3.
Internal Assessment: The Engagement Project
The internal assessment (IA) is the engagement project. You explore a political issue of your choice, usually at a local or community level, through research and real engagement with people and organisations. The final outcome is a written report.
| SL | HL | |
|---|---|---|
| Recommended time | 25 hours | 35 hours |
| Report length | Up to 2,000 words | Up to 2,000 words, plus a separate recommendation of up to 400 words |
| Marks | 24 | 30 |
| Weighting | 30% | 20% |
Source: IB Global Politics guide, first assessment 2026.
How the Project Works
The project combines several tasks: exploratory research, identifying a political issue, planning and carrying out engagement activities, complementary research and writing the report. You will probably move back and forth between them.
The IB is clear that the focus is active engagement, not the kind of extensive research you would do for an extended essay. It gives a useful example. A beach clean-up on its own is largely apolitical. But organising an awareness campaign for beach clean-ups, and discussing it with the local council, raises real political issues, such as citizen activism versus government responsibility.
In the report, the IB says you should focus on what your engagement contributed to your understanding of the issue, rather than describing at length what you did.
Assessment Criteria
| Criterion | Marks |
|---|---|
| A: Explanation and justification | 4 |
| B: Process | 3 |
| C: Analysis and synthesis | 8 |
| D: Evaluation and reflection | 6 |
| E: Communication | 3 |
| F: Recommendation (HL only) | 6 |
Source: IB Global Politics guide, first assessment 2026.
Analysis and synthesis carries the most marks. This rewards linking your issue to course concepts and bringing together the views of different stakeholders and sources.
Ethics Rules to Know
The IB sets strict ethical guidelines for the engagement project. For example, children under 12 must not be involved as participants, and interviews with 12 to 16-year-olds need written consent from a parent or guardian. Using family members as sources is not advisable, and unethical work receives zero marks. Read your teacher's copy of the guidelines before contacting anyone.
You also cannot count the same activity for both your engagement project and CAS (creativity, activity, service). Different parts of one larger activity can count for each, but not the same part.
Need help planning your project? See our IB internal assessment support.
External Assessment Overview
| Component | Format | Time | SL weighting | HL weighting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 (25 marks) | Source-based paper on the core topics: four sources and four compulsory structured questions | 1h 15m | 30% | 20% |
| Paper 2 (30 marks) | Two essays: one on a thematic study (Section A) and one integrating question across the course (Section B) | 1h 45m | 40% | 30% |
| Paper 3, HL only (28 marks) | Stimulus-based paper on the HL extension, answered using your researched case studies | 1h 30m | – | 30% |
| Engagement project | Written report | 25h (SL), 35h (HL) | 30% | 20% |
Source: IB Global Politics guide, first assessment 2026.
In total, SL students sit 3 hours of exams and HL students sit 4 hours 30 minutes.
Paper 1 Question Structure
| Question | Marks | What it tests |
|---|---|---|
| Question 1 | 3 | Understanding of a source |
| Question 2 | 4 | Applying your knowledge to analyse a source |
| Question 3 | 6 | Comparing and/or contrasting two sources |
| Question 4 | 12 | Evaluating the sources and combining them with your own knowledge |
The IB says Paper 1 always contains a non-text source, such as an image, diagram or infographic.
HL Paper 3 Question Structure
| Question | Marks | What it tests |
|---|---|---|
| Question 1 | 3 | Understanding and analysis of the stimulus |
| Question 2a | 4 | Analysis of an identified political issue |
| Question 2b | 6 | A recommended course of action or solution |
| Question 3 | 15 | Evaluating your researched case studies and global political challenges |
Sitting Global Politics in November 2026? See our November 2026 exam schedule for your paper dates.
Command Terms
Exam questions use IB command terms, grouped by assessment objective:
| Assessment objective | Command terms |
|---|---|
| AO1: Knowledge and understanding | Define Describe Identify List Outline |
| AO2: Application and analysis | Analyse Distinguish Explain Suggest |
| AO3: Evaluation and synthesis | Compare Compare and contrast Contrast Discuss Evaluate Examine Justify Recommend To what extent |
Learn more in our complete guide to IB command terms.
What Is Different From Older Resources?
If you are using older notes or textbooks, including the previous version of this page, check them carefully:
- The IA is now the engagement project, with clear SL and HL criteria. HL students add a separate recommendation of up to 400 words.
- The HL extension is assessed in an exam. HL students sit Paper 3, which draws on their researched case studies.
- The HL extension has eight topic areas, and HL students must research at least two case studies and two topic areas.
- The thematic studies are rights and justice, development and sustainability, and peace and conflict, all built around contested meanings, actors, practice and debates.
- The content is more open-ended. The IB says content is "less prescribed and more open-ended than previously", to leave more room for inquiry.
Tips for Success in IB Global Politics
We asked our IB tutors for their advice:
- Follow the news every week. The course is grounded in contemporary examples, so build a bank of recent cases for each thematic study.
- Always connect to the key concepts. Power, sovereignty, legitimacy and interdependence should appear in your essays, even when a question does not name them.
- Develop your examples properly. The IB says naming an example is not enough. Explain how it supports your argument.
- Practise comparing sources. Paper 1 Question 3 rewards a running comparison of two sources, not two separate summaries.
- Prepare for the integrating essay. Paper 2 Section B asks you to link the thematic studies and core topics, so practise drawing connections across the course.
- Choose a genuinely political engagement project. Make sure your activity raises a real political issue that you care about and can explore through engagement.
- HL students: build your case studies early. Paper 3 depends on research you have already done, so keep organised notes on at least two case studies.
💡 Check out these five key habits of high-achieving IB students, and find out why past papers are the ultimate tool for exam preparation.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using outdated examples. Focus on events from roughly the last 20 years, as the IB expects.
- Describing instead of analysing. In essays and the IA, explain why your evidence matters for the question.
- Writing an engagement project that is not political. Volunteering alone is not enough; your activity must help you explore a political issue.
- Retelling your engagement activities in the report. Focus on what you learned about the political issue.
- Ignoring other perspectives. Strong answers consider different views and evaluate them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to have studied politics before?
No. The IB says no specific prior learning is required, and the skills you need are developed during the course.
What is the engagement project?
It is the IA. You explore a political issue of your choice through research and real engagement, then write a report of up to 2,000 words. HL students also write a recommendation of up to 400 words.
What is the difference between SL and HL?
HL students complete the HL extension on global political challenges, sit Paper 3 and write an extra recommendation for their engagement project. The IA is worth 30% at SL and 20% at HL.
How long are the exams?
SL students sit 3 hours of exams (Papers 1 and 2). HL students sit 4 hours 30 minutes, including Paper 3.
Which examples should I use in exams?
Any relevant examples. The IB says exam questions do not require particular cases, so use contemporary examples you know well and can explain in depth.
Is Global Politics a good choice for university?
It builds skills in analysis, argument, research and communication. These are useful for degrees in politics, international relations, law, economics and many other subjects.
Get Support With IB Global Politics
Global Politics rewards students who think critically, use strong contemporary examples and engage with real issues. Our experienced IB Global Politics tutors can help you master the key concepts, plan a strong engagement project and prepare for your exams, online wherever you are.
