100+ IB Extended Essay Ideas
check out our results
Request Free Trial Class
Welcome to a comprehensive guide to intriguing and thought-provoking 2025 latest IB Extended Essay (IB EE) ideas!
This page is designed to inspire students, educators, and anyone passionate about research and critical thinking within the International Baccalaureate framework. The IB Extended Essay is a unique opportunity to explore a topic of your choice in depth, develop advanced research skills, and showcase your ability to present a coherent argument. Whether your focus is psychology, literature, culture, or science, these essay topics are tailored to spark curiosity and encourage intellectual exploration. Choose a subject that resonates with your passion and begin your journey toward crafting a meaningful and impactful IB EE.
Language and Literature (English A)
- Analyzing the portrayal of dystopian societies in George Orwell’s 1984 and Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World.
- Exploring the theme of identity in Zadie Smith’s White Teeth.
- The role of unreliable narrators in contemporary fiction: A study of Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl.
- Examining the use of magical realism in Gabriel García Márquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude.
- The impact of postcolonialism in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart.
- A feminist reading of Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale.
- The representation of mental illness in Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar.
- Exploring existential themes in Albert Camus’ The Stranger.
- The influence of the Harlem Renaissance on Langston Hughes’ poetry.
History
- The causes and consequences of the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.
- An analysis of the factors leading to the Rwandan Genocide of 1994.
- The impact of the Treaty of Versailles on the Weimar Republic’s stability.
- The role of women in the French Resistance during World War II.
- Assessing the effectiveness of the New Deal in combating the Great Depression.
- The influence of the Meiji Restoration on Japan’s modernization.
- The significance of the Suez Crisis in reshaping Middle Eastern politics.
- The effects of apartheid policies on South African society and economy.
- The Cuban Missile Crisis: A study of Cold War brinkmanship.
- The role of propaganda in Nazi Germany’s consolidation of power.
Biology
- Investigating the effects of different light wavelengths on photosynthetic rates in aquatic plants.
- The impact of urbanization on local bird species diversity.
- Assessing antibiotic resistance patterns in E. coli strains from various environments.
- The role of mycorrhizal fungi in enhancing plant nutrient uptake.
- Analyzing the effects of pH levels on enzyme activity in germinating seeds.
- The influence of temperature variations on the metabolic rates of cold-blooded animals.
- Examining the relationship between genetic diversity and disease resistance in crops.
- The effects of pollution on the reproductive health of aquatic organisms.
- Investigating the role of gut microbiota in human health and disease.
- The impact of invasive species on native ecosystem dynamics.
Chemistry
Download our Successful College Application Guide
Our Guide is written by counselors from Cambridge University for colleges like MIT and other Ivy League colleges.
To join our college counseling program, call at +918825012255
Physics
- Exploring the relationship between pendulum length and oscillation period.
- Investigating the efficiency of different materials as thermal insulators.
- The effect of surface area on the terminal velocity of falling objects.
- Analyzing the factors influencing the resonance frequency of a stretched string.
- The impact of varying air pressure on the speed of sound.
- Examining the efficiency of photovoltaic cells under different light intensities.
- Investigating the damping effect in harmonic oscillators with different mediums.
- The role of angle of incidence on the efficiency of solar panels.
- Analyzing the factors affecting the range of projectile motion.
- The influence of temperature on the resistance of conductive materials.
Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS)
- The effects of urban green spaces on local air quality and biodiversity.
- Assessing the impact of waste management policies on landfill use in a specific city.
- The influence of deforestation on carbon sequestration in tropical rainforests.
- Analyzing the role of sustainable agriculture in reducing soil erosion.
- The effectiveness of marine protected areas in preserving coral reef biodiversity.
- The environmental and economic impacts of renewable energy adoption in rural areas.
- Investigating the relationship between urbanization and freshwater availability.
- A comparative analysis of composting and incineration as waste management strategies.
- Assessing the ecological effects of invasive species on native aquatic systems.
- The role of ecotourism in promoting conservation efforts in a developing country.
Psychology
- The impact of mindfulness-based therapy on reducing anxiety in adolescents.
- Analyzing the role of childhood trauma in the development of resilience.
- The effect of social media usage on self-esteem among teenagers.
- Exploring the relationship between music therapy and cognitive function in dementia patients.
- Investigating the influence of stereotypes on academic performance.
- The effectiveness of exposure therapy in treating specific phobias.
- A study on the correlation between sleep deprivation and emotional regulation.
- The impact of color psychology on consumer behavior in advertising.
- The role of parental involvement in the academic success of children with ADHD.
- Analyzing the bystander effect in virtual environments
Visual Arts
- The role of color theory in the works of Vincent van Gogh.
- Analyzing the influence of political movements on street art in urban settings.
- The evolution of portraiture in the digital age.
- A study on the use of symbolism in surrealist art.
- Investigating the impact of feminist movements on contemporary art practices.
- Exploring the relationship between art and mental health through expressive therapy.
- The influence of Japanese ukiyo-e prints on modern graphic design.
- Analyzing the role of art in preserving indigenous cultures.
- The effect of light and shadow in creating depth in Renaissance paintings.
- The impact of technology on the accessibility of art to marginalized communities.
Global Politics
- The impact of international sanctions on the economic stability of developing nations.
- Analyzing the role of the United Nations in conflict resolution in the 21st century.
- Investigating the influence of populist movements on global democracy.
- The effects of climate change policies on international relations.
- The role of social media in shaping political campaigns and public opinion.
- Analyzing the effectiveness of peacekeeping missions in post-conflict regions.
- The influence of migration policies on regional stability in the European Union.
- Investigating the role of international trade agreements on economic inequality.
- A study on the effectiveness of grassroots movements in combating corruption.
- The role of cultural diplomacy in strengthening international relations.
Business Management
- To what extent does corporate social responsibility (CSR) impact consumer loyalty in the retail industry?
- To what extent has remote working influenced employee productivity in multinational corporations?
- To what extent do pricing strategies affect market share in the food delivery industry?
- To what extent does leadership style influence employee retention in startups?
- To what extent has digital marketing contributed to the growth of small businesses during economic recessions?
- To what extent does innovation drive the competitive advantage of companies in the technology sector?
- To what extent does cultural diversity in teams affect organizational performance in multinational corporations?
- To what extent has the adoption of sustainable practices influenced profitability in the fashion industry?
- To what extent does influencer marketing impact brand awareness for new product launches?
- To what extent does market segmentation contribute to the success of a premium-priced product?
Economics
- How do minimum wage policies affect unemployment rates in developing countries?
- To what extent has the introduction of electric vehicle subsidies influenced consumer demand in [specific country/region]?
- What is the impact of tourism on the economic growth of [specific country/region]?
- How has the rise of e-commerce affected the market structure of retail businesses in [specific city/country]?
- What is the role of microfinance institutions in reducing income inequality in [specific region]?
- How do fluctuations in oil prices influence inflation rates in [specific country]?
- What is the effect of price controls on the housing market in [specific city/region]?
- How has the implementation of carbon taxes affected the profitability of firms in [specific industry]?
- What are the economic impacts of hosting international sporting events in [specific country]?
- How does income elasticity of demand influence the growth of the organic food market in [specific country/region]?
MATHS AA SL/HL
1. Optimal Packing Problems
Explore how to pack shapes efficiently into a given space, such as circles in a square or spheres in a cube. Analyze the mathematics behind maximizing density and apply it to real-world problems, like packaging or material design.
2. Graph Theory and Social Networks
Investigate how graph theory models relationships in social networks. Analyze metrics like centrality or connectedness and apply these concepts to data from a chosen social media platform or study real-world network dynamics.
3. Fractal Geometry in Nature
Examine mathematical properties of fractals and their applications in modeling natural phenomena such as coastlines, tree branches, or vascular systems. Explore the Hausdorff dimension and how fractals differ from traditional Euclidean geometry.
4. Modeling Epidemic Spread
Use differential equations or the SIR model to simulate the spread of diseases. Analyze parameters like reproduction number (R0) and vaccination rates, and assess how mathematical models predict and influence public health strategies.
5. Game Theory and Strategic Decision-Making
Analyze strategies in games, such as Prisoner’s Dilemma or Rock-Paper-Scissors. Apply game theory concepts to real-world scenarios, like economics, biology, or political negotiations.
6. Mathematics in Cryptography
Explore the number theory behind encryption algorithms such as RSA. Investigate primes, modular arithmetic, and their applications in creating secure communication systems.
7. Exploring the Mathematics of Music
Study the relationship between sound frequencies, harmony, and mathematical ratios. Analyze patterns in scales, rhythms, or the Fourier transform’s application to music processing.
8. Probability and Decision-Making
Investigate probability theory in decision-making under uncertainty. Analyze practical applications such as betting strategies, stock market predictions, or real-life scenarios like weather forecasting.
9. Chaos Theory and Dynamical Systems
Analyze chaotic systems, focusing on Lorenz attractors or logistic maps. Explore how sensitivity to initial conditions impacts predictability and applies to weather, population models, or economics.
10. Mathematical Analysis of Sports Performance
Apply statistics and modeling to study optimization problems in sports. For instance, analyze player movement patterns, optimize game strategies, or study aerodynamics in sports like cycling or skiing.
MATHS AI SL/HL
1. Data Analysis in Climate Change Trends
Analyze historical climate data, such as temperature or CO₂ levels, to model long-term trends. Use regression, hypothesis testing, and time-series analysis to assess the impacts of human activity on climate.
2. Mathematics in Urban Planning
Investigate how mathematical models are used for traffic flow optimization, urban layouts, or resource allocation. Use tools like Voronoi diagrams or linear programming to suggest improvements in a chosen city.
3. Economic Models and Income Inequality
Explore income distribution in different countries using mathematical measures like the Gini coefficient or Lorenz curves. Analyze economic disparities and suggest actionable insights.
4. Sports Analytics
Use statistical and mathematical techniques to analyze sports performance. For example, investigate patterns in player statistics, evaluate shot success rates in basketball, or optimize team strategies using data visualization and analysis.
5. Mathematical Modeling of Epidemics
Examine how compartmental models like SIR or SEIR describe the spread of diseases. Use real-world data to assess parameters like infection rates and vaccination effectiveness and validate your findings using simulations.
6. Optimization in Scheduling Problems
Analyze optimization in timetabling, airline scheduling, or supply chains using linear programming or algorithms like Dijkstra’s or the traveling salesman problem.
7. Digital Image Processing
Explore the mathematics behind image compression and transformation, such as JPEG compression using discrete cosine transforms (DCT) or color analysis. Investigate practical applications, like improving resolution or storage efficiency.
8. Machine Learning Models in Prediction
Analyze how basic machine learning algorithms, such as linear regression or k-means clustering, can predict outcomes in a field of interest, such as stock prices, weather, or student test scores.
9. The Mathematics of Voting Systems
Compare and analyze voting systems (e.g., plurality voting, ranked-choice voting, Borda count) using mathematical methods. Evaluate how these systems impact the fairness and outcomes of elections.
10. Assessing the Feasibility of Renewable Energy Projects
Use mathematical modeling to analyze solar, wind, or hydroelectric power generation in a specific location. Consider factors like efficiency, cost, and environmental impact to propose an optimal energy plan.
The IB Extended Essay (IB EE) is an opportunity to explore your passions and showcase your research skills. While choosing the right topic is crucial, knowing what not to do is equally important. TYCHR IB tutors emphasize avoiding overly broad topics, neglecting structure, or skipping critical analysis. Stay focused, follow the guidelines, and let your curiosity guide you to success in your IB EE. Good luck!
What our Students Have to say
A few words about us from our students...
IB Tutoring Recent Blogs
Give our blog a read for anything you need
Get access to our free IB resources
IBDP Study Notes
IB Comprehensive Syllabus
IB IA Ideas
