The IB Diploma and DISV High School Diploma

Our International Baccalaureate Diploma programme is now well established at DISV. Along with this demanding academic programme DISV offers an IB Certificate Course and the DISV High School Diploma.


The IB Diploma Programme

The programme has a reputation world-wide for its rigorous assessment that gives IB Diploma holders access to leading universities all over the world. To study at IB level at DISV a student should have shown previous competence in a majority of the six subjects to be studied at IB, respect for their colleagues and the ethos of his/her school as reflected in past reports, and the maturity to take responsibility for future study. 

Diploma students must study THREE subjects at Higher Level (HL) and THREE subjects at Standard Level (SL) continuously over the two years of the IB programme. 

Subjects must be chosen from EACH of groups 1 to 5 below, and the sixth subject may be one of the Arts or a second choice from Groups 1, 2, 3 or 4.

While we attempt to offer all the following courses each school year, there must be sufficient enrolment to make them viable. Thus we cannot guarantee that all of the courses will be offered each year. In the case of languages A and B courses without sufficient enrolment to be offered in the mainstream, parents can opt to pay for private lessons with recognised and qualified teachers, approved by the school for Diploma credit.

The curriculum contains six subject groups together with a core made up of three separate parts. This is illustrated by a hexagon with the three parts of the core (Creativity, Action and Service, Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge at its centre.

GROUP 1
First Language
English A1 [HL or SL] or German A1 [HL or SL] or a privately taught A language

GROUP 2
Second Language
English B [HL or SL], German B [HL, SL or ab initio (beginners)], French B [HL or SL] or a privately taught B language

GROUP 3
Individuals & Societies
Business and Management [HL or SL], Geography [HL or SL], History [HL or SL], Economics [HL or SL]

GROUP 4
Experimental Sciences
Biology [HL or SL], Environmental Systems, Chemistry [HL or SL] or Physics [HL or SL]

GROUP 5
Mathematics
Mathematics [HL] or Mathematics [SL] or Mathematical Studies [SL]

GROUP 6
Arts and Electives
Visual Arts [HL or SL] or Theatre [HL or SL] or one other subject from the other groups may be selected

Note that due to timetabling limitations, certain combinations of subjects are not possible. Subjects on offer may also vary slightly depending on demand. If students wish to study another language other than those listed above, we will try to find a suitable teacher and will offer whatever assistance we can.  In such cases, additional costs may have to be borne by parents and the provision of a teacher cannot always be guaranteed.


The IB Certificate Course

Within the Certificate programme, students may choose up to five or six subjects, with a majority at Standard level, from within the timetable structure.  They will do the full coursework and examinations in these subjects and receive individual certificates.   Certificate students do not do Theory of Knowledge or an Exten-ded Essay.  Many Certificate students excel because the load and areas are tailored to their capabilities.  There is no pass or fail in this course, but good Certificate scores will gain entry into most US universities and a number of colleges and universities in other countries.


Other IB Components

All IB and High School Diploma students are involved in the tutor programme.  IB Diploma students additionally follow a course in the Theory of Knowledge and, towards the end of their first year, will start work on an extended essay - a research paper written in an academic discipline chosen from within the IB subjects.  The Creative, Active and Service (CAS) elements of the programme are considered to be essential components and full, regular participation in a supervised physical activity and Creative and Service activities is expected.


After School?

Within the last five years our students have obtained considerable success in the IB Diploma examinations. After completing the IB Diploma most of our Austrian students obtain Matura equivalence and are able to attend Austrian universities while our international students go to universities or colleges across the world.

Colleges and Universities By Country (Graduates from the classes of 2005-2009 were accepted into the following universities)

Austria - Lauda Business School, University of Vienna, Webster University

Canada - University of Toronto

China - University of Shanghai

Germany - Bremen University

Russia - University of Moscow

Switzerland - Franklin College

UK - University of Aberdeen, University of Aberystwyth, Birmingham University, Goldsmiths College London, Imperial College London, UCL, St Hugh’s College - Oxford University, University Oxford Brookes, St Andrews University, University of Sheffield, University of Sussex.

USA - Berkley University,


Further information and course details are available from:

Danube International School Vienna
Rachel Pernet

Josef-Gall-Gasse 2
1020 Wien
Tel.: +43 (0) 1 720 31 10-15
Fax: +43 (0) 1 720 31 10-40