International Baccalaureate

The International Baccalaureate® aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.IB Mission Statement

To this end the IBO works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programs of international education and rigorous assessment.

AIS Vienna has been an IB World School since 1977, just 9 years after the IB Diploma Program began. We were the 72nd IB school to be authorized, now out of almost 5,000 schools worldwide. We are one of the most experienced IB schools in our region (Africa, Europe, and the Middle East) and the most experienced IB school in Austria.

These programs encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.

Most of our students follow the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, a demanding course of study designed to provide international students with a diploma that is recognized by many universities throughout the world. The IB grew out of the need for an acceptable curriculum that would meet the requirements of diverse national systems. The IB Diploma consists of six examinations. Three of these are taken at the Higher Level (HL) and three at the Standard Level (SL). In addition, a student must complete:

  • TOK, a course examining the Areas of Knowledge: mathematics, natural sciences, human sciences, history, the arts through the core theme of “Knowledge and the Knower,” as well as optional themes such as “Knowledge and Language” and “Knowledge and Technology".
  • An Extended Essay, an independent research project of approximately 4000 words in one of the student's IB subjects.
  • CAS - Over 18 consecutive months, students satisfy 7 learning outcomes through consistent engagement with a variety of creativity, activity, and service experiences and at least one project.

Grades earned in each of the six examinations are added together to obtain a composite score. A minimum composite score of 24 points is typically required for the IB Diploma. There are some scores and certain combinations of scores, however, that may prevent a student from receiving the Diploma. In addition, many universities require more than the minimum 24 points.

For more information, see www.ibo.org.