DP History (New for 2026)

IB DP History Curriculum (First Teaching 2026, First Assessment 2028)

The new IB History syllabus launches in February 2026 for first teaching in August 2026 and first assessment in May 2028. It introduces more flexibility and conceptual depth, built around four key ideas: cause & consequence, continuity & change, perspectives, and significance.

Content is restructured into:

• Paired case studies (replacing prescribed subjects)

• Global themes (replacing world history topics)

• Regional in-depth topics for HL students

Assessments are streamlined:

• Paper 1: Source-based on paired case studies

• Paper 2: Conceptual and thematic questions

• Paper 3 (HL): Two essays from regional topics

• IA: Simplified to three sections, removing the reflection

Overall, the new course emphasizes inquiry, diverse perspectives, and teacher choice, aligning better with modern historical thinking and local contexts.