Secondary Library: Extended Essay

Key Features of the Extended Essay:

• Independent research on a topic chosen by the student in consultation with a subject supervisor
• Formal piece of academic writing, 4, 000 words long, accompanied by a reflection of no more than 500 words
• Approximately 40 hours of work by the student
• 3-5 hours of supervision + 3 mandatory reflection sessions
• Ends with a Viva Voce: final reflection session with supervising teacher

The EE is an in-depth study of a focused topic. It gives students the opportunity to:

• engage in independent research with intellectual initiative, creativity and rigour
• develop research, thinking, self-management and communication skills
• reflect on what they have learned throughout the research and writing process.

All students must:

• provide a logical and coherent rationale for their choice of topic
• review what has already been written about the topic
• formulate a clear research question
• offer a concrete description of the methods they use to investigate the question
• generate reasoned interpretations and conclusions based on their reading and independent research in order to answer the question.

EE Timeline 2026 Grads

These files cover individual subjects’ requirements for the extended essay (EE) in terms of:

• Choice of topic
• Treatment of topic
• Assessment

You can find subject specific information at the following website or in the PDF documents below:

• IBO.org EE Subject specific guidance

  Choose your subject group and then your identified subject to find out the subject requirements.

• EE guide Language A

• EE guide Language B

• EE guide Business Management

• EE guide Economics

• EE guide Global Politics

• EE guide History

• EE guide Psychology

• EE guide Philosophy

• EE guide ITGS

• EE guide Biology

• EE guide Chemistry

• EE guide Design Technology

• EE guide Physics

• EE guide SEHS

• EE guide Mathematics

• EE guide Music

• EE guide Theatre

• EE guide Visual Arts

• EE guide Film

• EE guide World Studies

• EE guide ESS

• EE guide Computer Science

• EE guide Geography

LIBRARY BOOKS

What should you write about? Visit these sites for inspiration: 

• The School of Life

  The School of Life is a global organization dedicated to developing emotional intelligence.

• PBS: Youtube Idea Channel

  A PBS show that examines the connections between pop culture, technology and art.

• Open Culture

  Free cultural and educational media content on the web.

• TED: Ideas Worth Spreading

  TED is a nonprofit devoted to spreading ideas. Watch or read TED talks here.

• Science Daily

  A source of the latest science research news.

• Arts & Letters Daily

  Read about philosophy, aesthetics, literature, language, ideas, criticism, culture, history, music, art, trends, breakthroughs, disputes, gossip.

• Youtube: Crash Course

  Author John Green creates "crash course" videos on topics: physics, philosophy, games, economics, U.S. government and politics, astronomy, anatomy & physiology, world history, biology, literature, ecology, chemistry, psychology, and U.S. history.

• Brain Pickings

  A subjective lens on what matters in the world and why.

• Edge: Annual Questions

  "To seek out the most complex and sophisticated minds, put them in a room together, and have them ask each other the questions they are asking themselves."

• The Conversation

  An independent source of news and views from the academic and research community, delivered direct to the public.

• The Big Think

  "We aim to help you move above and beyond random information, toward real knowledge, offering big ideas from fields outside your own that you can apply toward the questions and challenges in your own life."

• Medium

  Medium taps into the brains of the world’s most insightful writers, thinkers, and storytellers to bring you the smartest takes on topics that matter. So whatever your interest, you can always find fresh thinking and unique perspectives.

Thank you to UWC Libraries for generating this list.