How to Choose the Right HL Subjects in IB for Engineering, Medicine, Finance, or Psychology
At some point in the IB, every student hears the same warning, “Choose your HLs wisely.”
Most don’t understand why until they start filling out university forms and realise how closely admissions teams study those subjects. An HL that doesn’t match your future major can quietly close doors even if your grades are excellent. Many students who study with us through online IB tutoring in Dubai & beyond in the UAE often say they wish someone explained this to them earlier.
So before the stress builds up, here’s the guidance students usually wish they heard much earlier.
Why HL Subjects Matter
IB isn’t like some other boards where subject combinations don’t impact admissions. Universities, especially in the UK, Canada, US, Australia, Singapore, and UAE, check HL alignment very strictly.
For example:
- Most engineering programs reject students who don’t have Math AA
- Medicine courses often decline students who do not take HL Chemistry, even if their overall score is high.
- Finance programs look for mathematical maturity along with good
- Psychology departments want evidence of scientific thinking, which comes from HL Biology or HL Psychology with depth.
In short, your HLs signal the level of academic rigour you can handle.
What HL Subjects Work Best for Engineering, Medicine, Finance & Psychology
1. Engineering
Engineering relies heavily on logical reasoning and mathematical accuracy. Most top universities expect:
- Math AA HL (non-negotiable for competitive engineering)
- Physics HL (strongly preferred)
- Chemistry HL is optional but helpful for chemical or materials-related
Students who skip Math AA HL often struggle in first-year calculus, and universities know this. Even in places that don’t make it compulsory, admissions teams use it as a marker of rigour.
2. Medicine
Medicine has the strictest HL requirements globally. You need a strong science base because first-year medical school jumps straight into biochemistry, human physiology & molecular biology. The safest HL set is:
- Chemistry HL (this is compulsory in most countries)
- Biology HL
- A third HL of your choice (often Psychology or Math)
A lot of students underestimate the workload of HL Chemistry, but the subject trains you for the pace of medical school, which is why universities value it.
3. Finance
Finance programs care about analytical thinking more than memorised content. The best HL choices include:
- Math AA HL or at least Math AI HL
- Economics HL
- Business Management HL (optional but helpful)
Math HL helps because university-level finance involves statistics, modelling, derivatives, and data interpretation. Students without HL Math often face difficulty in the first year.
4. Psychology
Psychology isn’t only about human behaviour. It involves research methods, data interpretation, and understanding biological bases of behaviour. The ideal HLs are:
- Psychology HL
- Biology HL
- Math AI HL or ESS HL (if you prefer a lighter third HL)
Having Biology HL is underrated but extremely helpful because many university psychology programs include neuroscience, cognitive science, and experimental design.
How to Decide Your HLs When You’re Still Confused
Many students aren’t fully sure about their future major in Grade 10. Here’s a practical way to pick HLs that keep doors open:
- Choose at least one strong science or math HL even if you’re It keeps STEM and finance pathways open.
- Look at actual university course pages for countries you may apply Every course lists its subject requirements.
- Think honestly about what you can sustain for 2.
- Match your HLs with the areas you naturally perform well in, because HL workload is intense.
- Get advice from mentors or tutors who understand how IB patterns, grades, and workloads actually play Many students who join us through Online tuition in Abu Dhabi realise how much clarity expert guidance can bring.
Some students choose easier HLs to secure a 6 or 7 but end up restricted during university applications. It’s better to challenge yourself now than restart later.
Why Professional Guidance Helps
Most IB students choose their HLs without fully realising how deeply these subjects shape their university options. A lot of confusion, last-minute switching, and unnecessary stress can be avoided when students get the right guidance early. That’s where we step in at NowClasses.
Through our online learning platform, we work with students across the UAE helping them understand what each HL demands and which combinations actually support future careers in engineering, medicine, finance, or psychology. And we don’t limit our support to IB. Our tutors also teach other major curriculums, subjects & competitive exams.
For families who prefer in-person attention, we also run a physical learning centre in JLT, which is convenient for students living nearby. And for learners who need a more flexible structure, our homeschooling in UAE programme offers steady academic progress without compromising depth or discipline.
Our goal is to make the HL selection journey clearer, more practical, and aligned with each student’s long-term path.
FAQs
- Is Math AA HL compulsory for engineering?
For most top universities, yes. Some accept Math AI HL, but students face difficulty later. Math AA HL keeps all engineering specialisations open worldwide. - Can I study medicine without HL Biology?
You technically can if you have HL Chemistry, but HL Biology gives you a big advantage because first-year medical content is heavily biology-focused. - What if I am unsure about my career path?
Pick HL subjects that keep multiple fields open. Math HL + a science HL gives flexibility for engineering, medicine, and finance, while Psychology HL adds a humanities option.