Factors influencing students' choice (s) of experimental science subjects within the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

This article outlines a study conducted in Finland and Portugal into the reasons why International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) students choose particular Experimental Science (Group 4) subjects. Its findings suggest that interest, enjoyment, university course and career requirements have most influence on students' choices. Significant differences in the stated influence of certain factors on subject choice were found between nationalities, host countries, and the sexes, and also in the choices of Chemistry, Design Technology and Physics.