A dark background with a financial graph displaying stock market data. Green and red bar charts represent a fluctuating market, with white and red lines showing a trend line. The image is an abstract representation of economics and data.

Individuals and Societies

Comprehensive IB Economics Course Online SL

The only IB-approved online course provider

About the course

Admissions process

Number of units

19

Number of lessons

176

Duration

2 years

Level

Standard


Overview

IB Economics SL, part of the IB Diploma Programme’s Group 3: Individuals and Societies, introduces students to economic theory and its application to real-world issues. The course develops the ability to interpret data and statistics, apply relevant theory, and present ideas clearly using written analysis, diagrams and economic terminology. 

Students study core areas of microeconomics, macroeconomics and the global economy, gaining insights into how markets function, how governments manage economic policy, and how international trade and development affect communities worldwide. 

Studied online with Pamoja, IB Economics SL offers academic rigour with flexibility. Students learn alongside experienced IB teachers and peers from across the globe, building the critical thinking, research and communication skills needed for success at university and beyond. 


Advice from our teachers

In order to succeed in IB Economics SL, we recommend students set aside five to six hours a week. 

*Please note, that all courses offered are subject to receiving a minimum enrolment number. Your Pamoja point of contact will be in touch as we approach the start date if we are unable to take a course forward.


Course structure

The course covers the following topics: 

Year 1: 

  • Course overview
  • Introduction to Economics
  • Competitive markets
  • Elasticity
  • Government intervention
  • How do markets fails
  • Internal assessment
  • The national economy
  • Employment, inflation and growth 

Year 2:

  • Income distribution and macro-policies
  • Free trade vs. protectionism
  • Exchange rates
  • Balance of payments
  • Measure of economic development
  • Barriers to economic development
  • Aid, debt and economic development
  • Exam revision 

Benefits of the course

Taking IB Economics SL online will enable students to:

A young man in a white t-shirt and hair in a bun smiles while working on a laptop by a large, sunny window in a modern office, representing flexible online learning.

Why online?

Students will have the opportunity to:
  • Access source material in a variety of media.
  • Access a structured learning environment that provides flexibility and support in equal measure. 
  • Study alongside students from around the world. 
  • Gain experience of using the latest online learning tools. 
  • Regularly communicate with teachers and fellow students. 

Some things won’t be different though. Standards and expectations will be just as high as in a face to face classroom.

A man with long hair and a maroon shirt stands and talks to two people sitting at a table in a bright, modern office, engaged in an economics discussion.

Activities and assessment

The emphasis is on learning actively together and activities include live online discussions, creating presentations, learning from videos and interactive exercises. Throughout the Economics SL course, students engage in online discussions, debates, article analysis and group research projects. Students are assessed through the use of quizzes and tests. We also provide traditional activities such as essay writing to prepare them for the exams. Assessment will be both formative and summative and in accordance with IB criteria.