Number of units
10
Number of lessons
60
Duration
2 years
Level
Standard
About the course
Admissions processOverview
IB Psychology SL, part of the IB Diploma Programme’s Group 3: Individuals and Societies, is the systematic study of behaviour and mental processes. The updated 2025 syllabus strengthens the focus on research design, applications and intercultural perspectives, helping students understand both universal and diverse aspects of human experience.
Students explore biological, cognitive and sociocultural approaches to psychology, gaining insights into the factors that influence behaviour. They learn to interpret evidence, evaluate arguments and reflect on their own learning. Alongside subject knowledge, the course develops transferable skills in critical thinking, communication and self-management, all central to the IB Learner Profile.
Studied online with Pamoja, IB Psychology SL offers academic rigour with flexibility. Students are guided by experienced IB teachers and collaborate with peers worldwide, preparing them for future study and careers in psychology, health, education and beyond.
Advice from our teachers
In order to succeed in IB Psychology 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:
- Introduction to IB Psychology SL
- Approaches to Research
- Biological Approach to Understanding Behaviour
- Cognitive Approach to Understanding Behaviour
- Sociocultural Approach to Understanding Behaviour Parts 1 & 2
- Review and End of Year Exam
- Introduction to the IA
Year 2:
- Internal Assessment
- Sociocultural Approach to Understanding Behaviour Part 3
- Abnormal Psychology part 1
- Review and Trail Exam
- Abnormal Psychology Part 2 & 3
- Review and Exam Preparation
- This course covers the following applied psychology option:
- Abnormal psychology
Benefits of the course
Taking IB Psychology SL online will enable students to:
Resources
Explore and access key resources for the IB Psychology SL course.
Why online?
Students will have the opportunity to:
- Access source material in a variety of media.
- Learn, practise and review much more at their own pace than in a traditional classroom.
- 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.
Activities and assessment
A typical week in IB Psychology SL would involve a reading assignment and an activity that requires students to engage with the course content, for example, a discussion forum or a worksheet. Where appropriate, students will take part in collaborative activities. These may involve working together on an assignment or peer-reviewing assignments. Lastly, students will be assigned IB style assessment tasks once they have mastered the course content of each of the units of study. The Internal Assessment that is assigned involves conducting a psychological experiment and writing a report. There are two types of assessment in IB Psychology SL. Formative tasks encourage student engagement and involvement in the course activities such as discussion forums, worksheets and practice writing assignments. These activities are designed to consolidate student understanding of course content. Summative assignments are designed to measure the student’s level of attainment.
Testimonials
What our schools say about us
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"The International School of WA is delighted to continue to work with Pamoja, who has supported us in providing a wide range of subjects for our International Baccalaureate students."
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"Pamoja has expanded our subject offerings with programs we couldn’t provide in-house, giving our students valuable opportunities through a reliable and trusted partner."
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"Heidelberg International School has proudly partnered with Pamoja since 2010, enabling us to offer IB subjects beyond our own curriculum and expanding our students’ choices; their teachers bring a vital human connection to online learning, and our students have consistently achieved excellent results through this collaboration."
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"Chatsworth is very pleased to be able to broaden the range of IB Diploma Programme subjects we can offer through our partnership with Pamoja. Knowing the students are taught and assessed by experienced IBDP teachers gives us the confidence to offer this opportunity."
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"Pamoja teachers are fully supportive of the diverse stresses and schedules students face. Learning to proactively and professionally communicate is arguably the most important learning outcome for Pamoja students."
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"Pamoja opens doors for our students to pursue subjects they are passionate about, helping them thrive in areas otherwise out of reach. The team’s support and clear communication make the experience smooth and impactful for everyone."
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"Ermitage International School of Paris is proud to collaborate with PAMOJA. The consistently high-quality and well-structured courses PAMOJA provides play a key role in helping our students pursue their ideal path toward the IB Diploma."
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"Pamoja has been extremely responsive and professional in our partnership. They have helped us to support students in a variety of situations, including those who have transferred in the middle of the IB Diploma, who have scheduling conflicts, or who have strong desire to study a course that we do not offer."
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"Pamoja online courses allow us to expand the range of subjects offered to our students enabling them to pursue subjects they are passionate about that are not currently available within our timetable. The courses also help foster independent learning; an invaluable skill helping students flourish as lifelong learners."
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"Pamoja has enabled us to broaden our subject option choices and provide invaluable support for Extended Essay supervision in popular subjects. As a result, our students have been able to select an individualised course profile which would not have been possible otherwise."
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"Pamoja has been a wonderful opportunity for our students to pursue passions and interests that we can’t offer as a small school. We have found the teachers to be consistently dedicated and support team to always respond with a human touch!"
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"Our partnership with Pamoja provides students with access to a wide range of IB subjects, ensuring greater academic breadth and choice. The online nature of these courses offers the flexibility our student-athletes need to pursue their studies effectively, even while away training or competing."
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"Pamoja has enabled us to expand our subject offerings to better address our students' language acquisition needs. Their highly responsive and accommodating teachers made us feel supported every step of the way."
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"For a school like ours, which is intentionally 'small by design,' Pamoja provides essential strategic flexibility. It allows us to supplement our DP course offerings, ensuring students interested in specialized or low-enrollment subjects can pursue their pre-university plans."
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The variety of subjects offered really allows the school to offer individual pathways for a wide range of students. Students completing a course on Pamoja strengthen the ATL of self-management and are ready for the next steps in life - university or employment.
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Pamoja unlocks opportunities for our students to pursue their passions beyond our high school's course catalog, opening doors to subjects like Economics and Psychology that would otherwise be unavailable to them.
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“Partnering with Pamoja has given our students greater flexibility in shaping their Diploma Programme journey. We value the supportive collaboration that allows us to broaden our course offering and meet diverse student needs.”
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"Working with Pamoja has been a transformative experience, offering quick, responsive service and a student-centred approach that prioritises individual needs and supports success in the IB DP subject."
