Non-STEM IAs That Actually Impress.

Non-STEM IAs.

Many non-STEM IB students believe Internal Assessments don’t matter much outside final grades. In reality, strong IAs quietly reinforce academic depth, especially for humanities and social-science applicants.

Universities don’t read your IAs — but they see the signals your IAs send through subject choice, grades, teacher references, and overall coherence.

This blog explains what kinds of non-STEM IAs actually impress universities, and

what types tend to fade into the background.

How Universities Indirectly Evaluate IAs

IAs influence admissions through:

• Final subject grades

• Predicted scores

• Teacher commentary

• Academic consistency

A strong IA strengthens the academic story behind your grades.

What Makes an IA Impressive

IA Quality	Admissions Signal
Clear research question	Strong depth
Sustained analysis	High rigor
Independent thinking	Very strong
Original insight	Strong
Overly descriptive work	Weak

Depth > novelty.

English A IAs That Stand Out

What impresses:

• Focused literary analysis

• Clear argumentative line

• Sophisticated textual evidence

Avoid:

• Plot-heavy discussion

• Broad theme dumping

Strong English IAs signal writing readiness.

History IAs That Impress

Best approaches:

• Narrow, researchable questions

• Use of primary sources

• Clear historiographical thinking

Universities value method over topic.

Economics IAs That Work for Non-STEM Profiles

Strong Econ IAs show:

• Real-world application

• Balanced evaluation

• Conceptual clarity

Avoid:

• Over-quantification without insight

Even non-Econ majors benefit from well-reasoned analysis.

Psychology IAs That Signal Depth

What works:

• Clear experimental logic

• Ethical awareness

• Analytical discussion

The discussion section matters more than results.

Global Politics & ESS IAs

Impressive elements:

• Case-based inquiry

• Theoretical application

• Balanced perspectives

Shows interdisciplinary readiness.

The Role of Reflection & Evaluation

Universities value:

• Awareness of limitations

• Intellectual humility

• Evidence-based conclusions

Reflection = maturity.

Common IA Mistakes That Dilute Impact

• Choosing flashy topics without depth

• Over-describing sources

• Ignoring evaluation sections

• Prioritising format over thinking

A polished shallow IA doesn’t impress.

Country-Wise Impact of Strong IAs

Country	IA Influence
US	Moderate (indirect)
UK	Low (grade-based)
Netherlands	Low-moderate
Canada	Moderate
Hong Kong	Moderate

IAs matter through grades and coherence.

Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQs )

1. Do universities read IAs?

No but they see the results.

2. Does topic choice matter?

Less than analysis quality.

3. Are interdisciplinary IAs valued?

Yes if executed well.

4. Can a weak IA hurt admissions?

Indirectly, through grades.

Final Takeaway

Impressive non-STEM IAs show how you think, not how complex your topic sounds.

Strong analysis quietly strengthens your entire application.

Focus on clarity, depth, and reasoning — the rest follows.