Grade 11–12: International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, Certificates and the High School Diploma

In Grades 11- 12 students may enrol in the IB programme or aim to graduate with the High School Diploma.

Applicants for the IB Diploma or Certificates Programme need to have obtained either the ICE Merit Diploma, or Gymnasium Grade 10, or the Realschulabschluss. Their English has to be at the Common European Reference Framework (CERF) B2 level or better. We recommend that students taking a course at Higher Level (HL) have a B or above in that subject at the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE). For Standard Level courses we recommend that students have a C or above at IGCSE.

The IB Diploma and Certificates

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2002, 2007, 2011

The International Baccalaureate Diploma is a rigorous pre-university course of studies leading to examinations set by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) that meets the needs of highly motivated secondary school students in the last two years of their secondary education.

The diploma curriculum is displayed in the shape of a hexagon with six academic areas (subject groupings) surrounding the core. Subjects are studied concurrently and students are exposed to the two great traditions of learning: the humanities and the sciences.

Diploma candidates are required to select one subject from each of the six subject groups. Three of these subjects are taken at Higher Level (HL) and three at Standard Level (SL). By arranging work in this fashion, students are able to explore some subjects in great depth and some more broadly over the two-year period for which the programme runs.

Subject distribution requirements ensure that the science-oriented student is challenged to learn a foreign language and that the natural linguist becomes familiar with laboratory procedures. While overall balance is maintained, a degree of flexibility in choosing higher level courses allows the student to pursue areas of personal interest and to meet special requirements for university entrance.

Subjects can be taken as individual certificates at SL or HL if they do not require the Diploma for admission to their next educational institution or vocational training provider. From 2012, The Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge (ToK) and Creativity, Action and Service (CAS) can be taken as separate Certificate subjects.

The Core Components of the IB Diploma

The programme offers the following special features in addition to the traditional strengths of a liberal arts curriculum.

  • Theory of Knowledge (ToK) course
    This is a required interdisciplinary course intended to stimulate critical reflection upon knowledge frameworks and experience gained inside and outside the classroom. ToK challenges students to question how we acquire knowledge as well as the bases of knowledge, to become critically aware of subjective cultural and ideological biases and to develop a coherent approach to learning which transcends and unifies the academic subjects. ToK encourages an appreciation of cultural perspectives and international mindedness and culminates in two assessment pieces; an oral presentation and an essay.
  • The Extended Essay (EE)
    Diploma candidates are required to undertake original research and write an extended essay of some 4000 words. This process of a systematic investigation n one subject area or as of 2011 in the new Interdisciplinary World Studies Extended Essay offers students the opportunity to investigate a Research Question (RQ) of special interest and acquaints students with the kind of independent research and writing skills expected at university level. Students are supported through this process by an extended essay supervisor. The process takes place over a 13 month period between DP 1 and DP 2.

    The combination of ToK and the Extended Essay allows a potential 3 extra IB points to be awarded.
  • Creativity, Action and Service (CAS)
    This is a fundamental and required part of the diploma curriculum. The CAS requirement takes seriously the importance of life outside the world of scholarship, providing a refreshing counterbalance to the academic self-absorption some may feel within a demanding school programme. It is expected that students involved in service learning and creative projects will learn to become proactive in raising awareness of local and global issues. The CAS guide 2011-13 can be downloaded here.

Each student’s performance is measured against well-defined levels of achievement consistent from one examination session to the next. Top grades are not simply awarded “on a curve” to a certain percentage of candidates but rather reflect attainment of knowledge and skills relative to set standards equally applied to all authorised schools.

The Subjects for the IB Diploma

(available as Certificates and High School Diploma Courses)

At LIS we currently offer the following IB courses:

Group Subject choice
Group 1 Language A
English Language and Literature HL
English Language and Literature SL
German Language and Literature HL
German Language and Literature SL
English Literature HL
English Literature SL
German Literature HL
German Literature SL
Self Taught Language A SL
Group 2 Language B / Ab Initio
German B HL
German B SL
German Ab Initio SL
Spanish Ab Initio SL
French B HL
French B SL
Spanish B SL
Group 3 Individuals and Societies
History HL Geography HL
History SL Geography SL
Group 4 Experimental Sciences
Biology HL Physics HL
Biology SL Physics SL
Chemistry HL  
Chemistry SL  
Group 5 Mathematics
Mathematics Studies SL  
Mathematics SL  
Mathematics HL  
Group 6 The Arts or Electives
Art SL  
Art HL  
or  
Electives from the above  

Students who follow two Languages as ‘A’ courses and who successfully complete the Diploma Programme will be awarded a bilingual diploma.

With the exception of the languages all subjects are taught in English.

Higher level subjects are timetabled 6 x 40 minutes per week. Standard level subjects are timetabled 4 x 40 minutes per week. In addition, the timetable has 2 periods of Theory of Knowledge, 1 period for CAS and 2 periods Pastoral Time with the Form Tutor.

LIS is a ‘May Examination Session’ School only and we do not run November examinations or retakes.

Students in Grade 11-12 are provided with their own study lounge with internet access. They may also use the library and/or the computer room for self study.

Contact Information

Responsibility Person
Admissions to the IB Programme / Registrar Marlene Cailleau
IBDP Coordinator Rebecca Hillyer
University Admissions Advisor Justin Sands
CAS Coordinator Gisela Selbach

Timetable Grades 11-12

Subject # of periods
First HL subject 6
Second HL subject 6
Third HL subject 6
First SL subject 4
Second SL subject 4
Third SL subject 4
Theory of Knowledge (ToK) 2
Creativity, Action and Service (CAS) 1
Pastoral lesson OR Assembly 2
Total 35

The IB Diploma Programme Course guide 2011-13 can be downloaded here.

LIS High School Diploma

The LIS High School Diploma is similar to an American High School Diploma and recognises the satisfactory completion of four years of secondary schooling (Grades 9-12), spending at least Grade 12 at the Leipzig International School and fulfilling the credit requirements as shown below. It meets the entry requirements of colleges and universities in the United States of America as well as other countries. All programmes of study offered at the Leipzig International School contribute through a system of credits towards this Diploma.

The LIS High School Diploma credits are awarded in Grades 11 and 12 for the successful completion of our IB SL (and HL) courses.

Subject area Years (minimum) Credit
English 4 4
Mathematics 2 2
Social Studies 2 2
Experimental Science 2 2
Second Language 2 2
Visual Arts 1 1
Physical Education 1 1
Additional Options - 6

In addition to the course requirements students are expected to have:

  • contributed to the CAS programme
  • have completed the Theory of Knowledge course.


The minimum requirement for a LIS High School Diploma is 20 units of credit.