Group 3: Individuals & SocietiesSL AvailableHL Available

IB Geography

Study of physical and human geography with focus on spatial patterns and sustainability.

IB Geography investigates the relationship between physical environments and human societies. Students develop skills in geographical inquiry, fieldwork, and spatial analysis while exploring issues of sustainability and global change. The current course was first assessed in 2019.

SL & HL
Levels offered
90 min
One-to-one lessons
$95
Lowest rate per lesson
Max 6
IB group programs
Prices and optionsRequest a tutor
Whiteboard in an IB Geography HL lesson: population distribution beside a hand-drawn world density map with a people-per-square-kilometre key, the environmental and human factors behind it, and a Bangladesh case study.
From a live online one-to-one IB Geography HL lesson at the TestPrep Group
Course Introduction

Why Geography Matters

Your grade in IB Geography counts toward the 45-point Diploma, and many university courses ask for a particular grade in the subject, often at Higher Level.

Foundation for geography and environmental degrees
Develops spatial analysis skills
Understanding of global environmental issues
Valuable for urban planning and development careers
Whiteboard in an IB Geography SL lesson: changing climates and environments beside a hand-drawn world map shaded by climate impact, population patterns and urbanisation with a city sketch, and a teaching summary on spatial processes.
Standard Level
SL Overview

SL covers the SL and HL core, two optional geographic themes and fieldwork in 150 hours.

Higher Level
HL Overview

HL adds a third optional theme and the HL core extension on global interactions, assessed in Paper 3, in 240 hours.

Career Pathways

Urban PlanningEnvironmental ManagementGIS AnalysisDevelopment WorkDisaster ManagementTeachingResearchSustainability

Geography syllabus topics

The topics of the subject guide. Lessons follow your school's order and level.

Unit 1
Changing Population
  • Population dynamics
  • Global migration
  • Population policies
Unit 2
Global Climate—Vulnerability and Resilience
  • Climate processes
  • Climate change
  • Adaptation and mitigation
Unit 3
Global Resource Consumption and Security
  • Resource distribution
  • Consumption patterns
  • Sustainability
Unit 4
Optional Themes (SL two, HL three)
  • Freshwater
  • Oceans and coastal margins
  • Extreme environments
  • Geophysical hazards
  • Leisure, tourism and sport
  • Food and health
  • Urban environments
Unit 5 (HL)
HL Core Extension: Global Interactions
  • Power, places and networks
  • Human development and diversity

How lessons approach Geography

Understanding the concepts, and answering the papers the way the markscheme rewards.

Conceptual Understanding
Deep mastery of core concepts
  • Learn case studies in detail
  • Understand geographic models and theories
  • Develop map and data skills
  • Connect local and global scales
Exam-Specific Techniques
Targeted preparation for IB assessments
  • Practice data response questions
  • Structure essays with case study evidence
  • Prepare fieldwork investigation carefully
  • Master geographic terminology

Past papers and markschemes

IB Geography past papers, used in lessons alongside the questions from your own school.

How marks are won in Geography

1
Use specific located examples
2
Draw clear sketch maps and diagrams
3
Apply geographical models
4
Practice data interpretation skills
5
Document fieldwork thoroughly

IB Geography: lessons, prices and how to start

One-to-one lessons are 90 minutes, live online. Prices are set per program, so they are the same for every IB Diploma subject.

IB Geography one-to-one tutoring packages
Single lesson$100Per lesson: $100Buy a lesson
10 lessons$970Per lesson: $97Buy package
20 lessonsLowest rate$1,900Per lesson: $95Buy package

Group options

IB group teaching runs as three programs, priced by the number of subjects you take, in groups of at most 6:

IA, EE and TOK supervision is one-to-one, from $100 for a single lesson.

How do you start?

Request a free consultation: it is a conversation about your goals and timeline, not a lesson or a test. There is no separate diagnostic test for IB Diploma, because no single test stands in for a school syllabus. The first lesson does the assessment: your tutor works through your recent marked work and past-paper questions from your own specification, and reads where you stand. It is a normal paid lesson, not a free trial, and it teaches as it assesses.

Request a free consultation

Refunds

Not satisfied after your first private lesson? Full (100%) refund. No score is guaranteed. Full terms.

Every IB Diploma priceAll IB Diploma subjects

IB Geography — Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between IB Geography SL and HL?
Standard Level: SL covers the SL and HL core, two optional geographic themes and fieldwork in 150 hours. Higher Level: HL adds a third optional theme and the HL core extension on global interactions, assessed in Paper 3, in 240 hours. The choice matters for university admission as much as for workload — many courses require the subject at HL specifically.
How is IB Geography assessed?
Externally assessed: Paper 1 (SL: 35% / HL: 35%), Paper 2 (SL: 40% / HL: 25%), Paper 3 (HL) (HL: 20%). Internally assessed: Fieldwork (SL: 25% / HL: 20%). The internal assessment is marked by your teacher and moderated by the IB, and because it is completed over months rather than in an exam hall it is the component students most often leave too late.
What topics does IB Geography cover?
The syllabus covers 5 topics: Changing Population, Global Climate—Vulnerability and Resilience, Global Resource Consumption and Security, Optional Themes (SL two, HL three) and HL Core Extension: Global Interactions. Lessons follow your school's order, so tutoring supports your class rather than running alongside it.
Does IB Geography count for university credit?
May grant credit for introductory geography. Recognition varies by university and usually applies to Higher Level only, so check the policy of each institution you are applying to.
Where does IB Geography lead?
It is commonly taken by students heading towards Urban Planning, Environmental Management, GIS Analysis, Development Work and 4 more. If your intended degree lists the subject as a requirement, taking it at Higher Level is usually what admissions expects.