The IB Diploma enjoys an increasingly good reputation among German employers, especially at international companies, global corporations, and academic institutions, even though it is still less common than the Abitur.
In Germany, the Abitur is the most demanding general school-leaving qualification, but the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, also available in Germany, sets the bar even higher and is one of the most demanding qualifications in the world.
There are currently around 79 schools in Germany authorized as International Baccalaureate (IB) World Schools that offer the IB Diploma Programme, mostly in metropolitan areas.
Around 9 to 10 percent of all students in Germany attend a private school, more than 800,000 students, and the share has been growing steadily for years.
In principle, any child can switch to a private school in Germany, provided they meet the specific admission requirements of the school in question.
When visiting an international school, ask about its curriculum and qualifications, the school community and values, its facilities, and how it supports each child individually.
International schools handle different learning levels through regular assessment of learning progress, differentiated tasks, flexible learning groups, language support, and individual guidance.
At an international private school in Düsseldorf, students can earn the Cambridge IGCSE in grades 9 and 10 and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma in grades 11 and 12, both recognized worldwide.
Switching to a private school is possible in principle at any grade level, from elementary school to the upper grades, usually at the start of a school year but often also during the year.
You apply to an international school in Germany by filling out an admissions questionnaire, visiting the school, submitting school reports, taking an assessment test, and then receiving an offer of admission.
