Paths to University
Diplomas and university admission
One continuous educational path leads from ISR Kindergarten to two diplomas, and from there to universities in Germany and around the world. Here is how each stage prepares our students for university.
The International Baccalaureate Diploma and the ISR High School Diploma, the Cambridge IGCSE on the way, and guidance from Grade 8 onward: academic preparation at ISR is planned from the first day of school.
One school, one path
How each stage builds toward university
From Kindergarten to Grade 12, every stage adds the skills, routines, and qualifications that universities expect. Students who start at ISR stay at ISR, with a guaranteed place at every transition and no need to reapply, provided they are promoted under ISR’s regular promotion requirements.
- English-language, play-based learning in Düsseldorf, Meerbusch, and Neuss
- Early literacy and numeracy with Jolly Phonics and the HMH Pre-K program
- Guaranteed place at ISR Elementary School
- English as the language of instruction, German for every student
- Third language from Grade 6: French or Spanish; Japanese or Chinese for native speakers
- Unit tests and end-of-term assessments build study habits early
- Weekly assessments establish an exam routine
- Cambridge Checkpoint examinations in Grade 8 (optional)
- University and career counseling starts in Grade 8
Cambridge IGCSE
- One elective and two social sciences chosen for Grade 9
- Eight courses in Grade 10, examined externally by Cambridge
- Course selection for the IB Diploma Programme at the end of Grade 10
IB Diploma
- Six subjects: three at Higher Level, three at Standard Level
- Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay, and CAS
- SAT and ACT on campus, personal application guidance
- IB Diploma and ISR High School Diploma
- Recognized as the German allgemeine Hochschulreife
- Offers from top universities in North America, the UK, Europe, and Asia
Guaranteed place from Kindergarten to Grade 12. Children in ISR Kindergarten move on to ISR Elementary School, and students in Grade 6 move on to ISR Secondary School at the Neuss campus, with no new application, provided they are promoted under ISR’s regular promotion requirements. From August 2027, ISR Elementary School Düsseldorf offers the same path in Düsseldorf-Oberkassel.
Qualifications
Two diplomas for every graduate
Every ISR graduate leaves with two qualifications. Together they open doors to universities in Germany, Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia.
International Baccalaureate Diploma
The IB Diploma Programme in Grades 11 and 12 is the academic core of the final two years. ISR has been an authorized IB World School since 2008. Students study six subjects, write the Extended Essay, take Theory of Knowledge, and complete the CAS program.
- Converted into the German allgemeine Hochschulreife by the Zeugnisanerkennungsstelle
- Accepted by universities worldwide
- Japanese and Chinese also offered for native speakers; Chinese B from the 2027–28 academic year
ISR High School Diploma
Every student who successfully completes Grades 9 to 12 receives the ISR High School Diploma, a leaving certificate accredited by Cognia that documents four years of coursework, periodic exams, and final exams. It is the second qualification our graduates take with them.
- 26 successfully completed credits in Grades 9 to 12
- Periodic and final exams in every course
- Prepares students for the requirements of universities in the USA, Canada, the UK, Europe, Asia, and Australia
Milestone in Grade 10: Cambridge IGCSE
External Cambridge examinations at the end of Grade 10 give students an internationally recognized certificate and the ideal preparation for the IB Diploma Programme.
Recognition
Recognized in Germany and worldwide
German universities
With the right subject combination, the IB Diploma is recognized as the allgemeine Hochschulreife, the general qualification for university entrance in Germany:
In early July, the IB Organization sends the results directly to the Zeugnisanerkennungsstelle in Düsseldorf, which converts them into a German Abitur grade, usually within two to three days of the IB results. A 16-hour vector calculus module gives Standard Level Mathematics students access to technical degree programs such as engineering and the natural sciences.
Almost all students who wished to study at a German university met the prerequisites, and all of them were accepted directly after graduating from ISR.
Universities worldwide
The IB Diploma is accepted by universities around the world. Our counselors prepare students for the requirements of each system: SAT and ACT for the USA and Canada, personal statements for the UK, college essays, interviews, and the application portals of each country.
- SAT and ACT taken in Grades 11 and 12, with preparation on campus
- Workshops on personal statements (UK) and college essays (USA)
- Offers in the past three years from UC Berkeley, Princeton, Cambridge, Imperial College London, LSE, Leiden, and many more
Class of 2026
Results that speak for themselves
University and Career Counseling
Guidance from Grade 8 to graduation
Our counselors accompany every student from the first career interest to the final university offer, in group sessions and individual meetings, with evening information sessions for parents.
Finding interests and strengths
- Interest surveys and personality testing
- Course selection geared toward a future field of study or career
- Researching careers online and in the ISR library
- Work experience and support with internship applications
Planning and applying
- Choosing the right course of study and the right university
- Workshops on personal statements and college essays, mock interviews
- SAT and ACT, application tracking, deadlines, and documents
- German university requirements for IB students
Destinations
Where our graduates study
A selection of university offers received by ISR graduates in the past three years.
USAUnited States
- University of California, Berkeley
- Cornell University
- University of Notre Dame
- Princeton University
UKUnited Kingdom
- University of Cambridge
- Imperial College London
- King’s College London
- London School of Economics
- University College London
- University of St Andrews
DEGermany
- RWTH Aachen
- TU Munich
- LMU Munich
- Heidelberg University
- University of Cologne
- EBS Law School
NLNetherlands
- Leiden University
- University of Groningen
- Maastricht University
- Rotterdam School of Management
Learn more about the path to university at ISR
Diese Seite auf Deutsch: Wege zur Universität
University preparation at an international school near Düsseldorf
ISR International School on the Rhine in Neuss prepares around 1,050 students from 60 nations for universities in Germany and around the world. The Cambridge International Curriculum in Elementary School and the Cambridge IGCSE in Grades 9 and 10 lead into the IB Diploma Programme in Grades 11 and 12, which ISR has offered since 2008. The ISR High School Diploma and the IB Diploma are separate qualifications with separate requirements. Students receive only the qualification or qualifications whose requirements they fulfil. Recognition of the IB Diploma for German university access depends on the applicable KMK requirements, including the required subject combination and other conditions.
University and career counseling begins in Grade 8 and intensifies in the final two years, with workshops, SAT and ACT preparation, and personal guidance through every application. Families who would like to see this path for themselves are welcome at our Info Days in Neuss.
