IB Environmental Systems and Societies

Applications Open: - 3rd November 2025

Applications Close: - 30th June 2026

Entry Requirements: - 5 x grade 4-9 including Maths & English at G5

How to Apply: - Please apply via KentChoices

IBCP students will take a minimum of three courses of study. All of these will be Level 3 courses (A/AS Level equivalent). The courses will be a combination of vocational BTEC qualification (equivalent to up to 3 A Levels, approximately 10 hours of study per week) and 2 IB subjects (approx. AS level each and studied for 5 hours a fortnight). If you select this subject you must also select one BTEC in your application and one other IB subject

Environmental Systems and Societies is an interdisciplinary course. It is firmly grounded in both a scientific exploration of environmental systems in their structure and function, and in the exploration of cultural, economic, ethical, political and social interactions off societies with the environment. Environmental systems and societies (ESS) is a new course starting in 2020. This is a standard level IB qualification with no previous specific knowledge of science or geography needed to study this course.

The ESS course is a good choice for students who also have an interest in Biology, Geography, Politics and Economics who want to actively appreciate and engage in local and global environmental and social issues.

Being an interdisciplinary course it will allow you to develop the knowledge and skills of scientific exploration of the environmental systems, recognising and evaluating impacts on societies and the natural world. You will explore the cultural, economic, ethical, political and social interactions of societies with the key to creating a sustainable environment. ESS involves a holistic approach on taking responsible actions for sometimes controversial environmental issues through research, investigations, participation in philosophical discussion and problem-solving.

Units covered include: Foundation of environmental systems and societies, ecosystems and ecology, biodiversity and conservation, water and aquatic food production systems and societies, soil systems and terrestrial food production systems and societies, atmosphere systems and societies, climate change and energy production and human systems and resource use.

There is also a practical element to the course involving both an individual investigation and practical activities.

For entry into King Ethelbert School Sixth Form all students must attain 5 grades between Grade 9 and Grade 4 (or equivalent) with a Grade 5 in both English Language and Mathematics.