Overview
Take HL if you are aiming at history, politics, law, international relations, or another essay-heavy humanities degree — those courses value the deeper regional study and the extra essay practice HL gives, and some will look for a Group 3 subject at Higher Level. Take SL if history is there for balance and to round out your diploma rather than as the foundation of your degree. So the honest answer is: it depends on whether history sits at the centre of your university plans or off to the side. Below is what actually differs between the two levels, how much harder HL really is, and a framework for deciding. If you want the university-requirements detail for your specific courses, always check the official course pages and your subject guide/teacher.
What's the same at SL and HL
For the IB Diploma Programme, history is a Group 3 (individuals and societies) subject, and SL and HL share most of the assessment. Both levels sit:
- Paper 1 — a source-based paper on a prescribed subject: short questions, an OPVL value-and-limitations question, a cross-source comparison, and a mini-essay combining sources with own knowledge.
- Paper 2 — two essays chosen from different world-history topics.
- The Internal Assessment (IA) — a historical investigation, the same task at both levels, internally assessed against identical criteria.
Both levels are marked on the same principles: essays reward argument and evidence, not narrative, and Paper 1 rewards OPVL applied to the question and cross-source synthesis. The IA is not scaled up for HL — the workload difference lives entirely in the extra paper and the deeper regional study.
What HL adds
For the IB Diploma Programme, hL is not a different subject — it is the same Paper 1 and Paper 2 plus one substantial addition: Paper 3, a regional depth study with three essays. Where Paper 2's world-history topics are broad and comparative, Paper 3 goes deep into one region, and its essays demand finer, region-specific detail rather than generic overviews.
The practical effect is a third external essay paper to prepare, a whole regional option to learn in depth, and more essay-writing stamina required on exam day. Here is the shape of the difference:
| SL | HL | |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 (source-based) | Yes | Yes (same) |
| Paper 2 (world-history essays) | Yes | Yes (same) |
| Paper 3 (regional depth study) | No | Yes — three essays |
| Depth of study | Prescribed subject + world-history topics | Same plus a deep regional study |
| Essays required across exams | Fewer | More — Paper 3 adds three |
| Content / recall load | High | Higher — an extra region in depth |
| Internal Assessment | Historical investigation | Same historical investigation |
The extra HL load is not padding — it is a full regional depth study examined by three more essays, which is why HL History demands more content mastery and more sustained essay technique than SL.
How much harder is HL History?
For the IB Diploma Programme, history is essay-heavy and evidence-heavy at both levels; the honest difficulty gap is mostly about volume and stamina. HL asks you to master an additional region in depth and to write more high-quality essays — including three on Paper 3 — under exam pressure. The style of thinking is the same as SL: build a sustained argument, support it with specific evidence (dates, names, statistics), and answer the exact command term. What catches people out is the amount of precise detail to hold across more topics, and the essay-writing endurance the extra paper requires.
If you enjoy the subject and write consistently, HL is very doable. If history is a subject you tolerate rather than like, the extra paper and regional depth can feel relentless, and that HL effort is often better spent elsewhere in your diploma. For the technique side of scoring well at either level, see how to get a 7 in IB History, and for a candid difficulty breakdown see is IB History hard.
University requirements
For the IB Diploma Programme, history is widely respected as a rigorous humanities subject, and for essay-based degrees HL is often valued:
- History, politics, international relations, law, philosophy — a Group 3 subject at HL, and History HL specifically, is frequently preferred; some competitive courses expect a relevant HL humanities subject.
- Broader humanities, social sciences, and combined degrees — requirements vary widely; many accept SL History as part of a balanced diploma, and some prefer HL.
- STEM and other non-humanities degrees — History is usually valued for the writing and analysis it develops, but rarely required at either level.
The critical rule: check the exact entry requirements for the specific courses and countries you are considering. Offers differ between universities and change year to year, so read official course pages and confirm with your subject guide/teacher rather than relying on general advice. Browse the free IB History SL course and HL course to preview the actual content at each level before you commit.
Who should take HL vs SL
For the IB Diploma Programme, take HL History if you:
- Are aiming at history, politics, law, international relations, or another essay-heavy humanities degree
- Genuinely enjoy building arguments from evidence and don't mind detailed recall
- Can commit consistent time to essay practice across more topics and an extra region
- Want to keep the widest range of humanities university options open
Take SL History if you:
- Want history for balance and breadth, not as a degree foundation
- Are directing your HL energy into other subjects central to your plans
- Prefer a solid grounding in source work and essays over an additional regional depth study
- Have confirmed your target courses accept SL History
How to decide
This section covers How to decide — what IB examiners reward most often in past papers and coursework.
- Start from your degree, not the subject. List target courses and read their published IB requirements.
- Check whether a Group 3 subject at HL — or History HL specifically — is preferred. If essay-heavy humanities degrees appear, HL is often the stronger signal.
- Be honest about interest and capacity. HL rewards students who enjoy argument and detail; the extra Paper 3 punishes reluctant essay-writers.
- Weigh your whole HL package. You take three HLs — make sure History HL earns its place against your other priorities.
- Preview real content. Skim the SL and HL courses and try a few questions before locking in.
How MarkScheme helps
MarkScheme lets you test the decision instead of guessing. Preview both levels through the [IB History SL course](/ib/courses/history-sl) and [HL course](/ib/courses/history-hl), then work real questions using the [SL past papers](/blog/ib-history-sl-past-papers-guide) and [HL past papers](/blog/ib-history-hl-past-papers-guide) guides to feel the difference in volume and essay load firsthand. Draft an essay or OPVL answer and [get an answer marked](/mark?subject=ib-history-hl) against IB criteria to see where you actually stand. For the wider picture, the [IB guides hub](/guides/ib) collects subject and Core guidance in one place.
Frequently asked questions
This section covers Frequently asked questions — what IB examiners reward most often in past papers and coursework.
What's the main difference between SL and HL History?
HL adds Paper 3, a regional depth study with three essays, on top of the shared Paper 1 (source-based) and Paper 2 (world-history essays). Both levels also complete the same historical-investigation IA. SL does not sit Paper 3.
Is HL History hard?
It is demanding mainly because of volume and essay stamina — an extra region to master in depth and more essays to write well under time pressure. The style of thinking is the same as SL; there is simply more of it. With genuine interest and steady essay practice, it is very achievable.
Do universities require HL History?
For essay-heavy humanities degrees, a Group 3 subject at HL — often History specifically — is frequently preferred, but requirements vary widely by course and country. Always confirm against each university's published requirements and your subject guide/teacher.
Is the IA different at HL?
No. Both levels complete the same historical investigation, internally assessed against the same criteria. Only the extra Paper 3 and the depth of study differ between the levels.
Can I take SL History and still study humanities at university?
For many broader humanities and social-science courses, yes — SL History is often accepted as part of a balanced diploma. For the most competitive essay-based degrees, HL is often preferred. Check specific offers before deciding.