5 replies to this topic

[semeko]

Hey I'm in DP1 and I live in China now
My school doesn't offer any History lessons (I don't know why) but I really wanna major in history in uni!

So can I apply for history next year??(to universities in US, UK and Australia?

subjects i'm taking:

HL: Geography, English B, Visual art
SL: Chinese A1, Maths, Biology

[Sandwich]

Most UK Universities (the good ones at least) will require History at HL as a minimum for taking the course. Look at their individual websites but I suspect it's going to broadly be the case. Also the fact that you're only taking English at B (suggesting you're not very fluent - which you need to be to study an essay subject, really!) and that Art is a bit of a doss subject may not help you persuade them to make an exception for you!

So you may wish to cross the UK off the list.

[+Agastya]

You shouldn't have much difficulty applying to the US even though you haven't taken history. However, you will need to demonstrate that your interest in history isn't just superficial. Most show this via good grades in history classes, but am sure you can just as easily show your passion through some solid extracuricullars relating to history.

[Desy Glau]

agree with Sandwich, it's very unlikely or even impossible to study History if you haven't taken History in IB at all. (at least that's the convention for UK universities). well, unless you're taking History in some local qualification or a foundation programme...

and yeah most of them would require you to be really proficient in English so English B might not suffice.

[flinquinnster]

Speaking from an Australian perspective, I don't think that most universities would care about not having done history in IB. However, I think it would probably give you a huge advantage in terms of learning historical method, writing history essays etc. Also, sometimes, when you're writing history essays (in English) it feels like you're writing in some kind of undiscovered language As I've discovered

But no matter! I'd suggest trying to find maybe a tutor/other school to do history at, or just keep doing your other IB subjects and work hard at them! Geography is pretty interesting as well... I'd maybe also recommend switching visual arts over to economics, so you have another humanities subject.

[kiwi.at.heart]

As above for Australian Unis, Generally for history all that is required is Yr 12 English, which most unit will accept English B HL for. However i think some may not and i think that would be your biggest problem. I don't know if you can change your English B to say Lang. and Lit. English but if you can I would. Not only because it will make sure you can get into any Australian Uni, but because since you aren't currently doing any huge essay writing subject in English, when you get to uni it may be a difficult skill to pick up, while doing Lang. and Lit. will help you get there.