International
Baccalaureate
Diploma
Requirements
Requirements of the KMK of 2025:
An “International Baccalaureate Diploma/Diplôme du Baccalauréat International” issued in accordance with the regulations of the “International Baccalaureate Organization(IBO)/Office du Baccalauréat International” shall be recognized as a university entrance qualification if it has been obtained after attending at least twelve years of full-time education in ascending year groups, and if the following requirements are met:
a) The six examination subjects taken for the “International Baccalaureate Diploma/Diplôme du Baccalauréat International” (IB) must include the following subjects, referred to here by their official IB title:
IB Subject Requirements
-
Two languages at level A or B
- At least one advanced foreign language as “Language A” or “Language B HL”
-
One natural science:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
-
Mathematics:
- Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches
- Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation
-
One social science:
- History
- Geography
- Economics
- Psychology
- Philosophy
- Social Anthropology
- Business and Management
- Global Politics
-
The sixth compulsory subject may be one of the above or one of the following IB subjects:
- Art / Design
- Music
- Theatre Arts
- Film
- Literature and Performance
- An additional modern foreign language
- Latin
- Classical Greek
- General Chemistry
- Applied Chemistry
- Environmental Systems
- Computer Science
- Design Technology
- World Religions
- Sports, Exercise and Health Science
- Digital Society
b) At least one of the three “International Baccalaureate Diploma/Diplôme du Baccalauréat International” subjects taken at “Higher Level”, must be either a language subject, Mathematics, or a natural science subject (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) according to number 1a), 1st to 3rd indent.
c) All subjects must have been studied continuously as part of the “IB Diploma Programme”, i.e. in two ascending year groups.
d) Pupils must have obtained at least IB grade 4 in the six compulsory subjects. If an IB grade of 3 has been obtained in only one subject, this can be compensated for if a minimum IB grade of 5 and a minimum total of 24 points have been obtained in another subject of at least the same level of difficulty.
e) German qualification holders attending an IB school abroad that does not offer German as a subject must provide proof of competence in German before starting higher education in Germany; the further details are governed by federal state provisions.
If Requirements aren’t met
If the conditions according to number 1 are not met, successful completion of an additional examination according to the "Framework regulation for access to higher education with foreign educational certificates, for training at the preparatory colleges and for the assessment test" (decision of the Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of 15.04.1994 in the respective current version) is required for recognition as a higher education entrance qualification. Recognition as a subject-bound higher education entrance qualification is also possible through a successful year of higher education studies in a country whose school-leaving certificates grant access to higher education in Germany either directly or after a successful year of study.
Grading
The average grade for an “International Baccalaureate Diploma/Diplôme du Baccalauréat International” is calculated in the country in which the qualification is issued. This shall be subject to the procedure set out in the “Agreement on Determining the Overall Grade for Foreign University Entrance Qualifications” (Resolution of the Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of 15/03/1991, as amended) together with the following IB-specific rules.
The average grade (N) is calculated based on the total number of points (P) obtained in the “International Baccalaureate Diploma/Diplôme du Baccalauréat International”, and on a maximum score (Pmax) of 42 and a minimum score (Pmin) of 24. Any bonus points obtained are included in the calculation. Total scores between 42 (Pmax) and 45 (highest possible IB score when including the maximum available 3 bonus points) are deemed equivalent to the German grade 1.0.
The conversion is performed using the following formula:
- N
- = average grade to be calculated
- P
- = total score received for IB diploma
- Pmax
- = 42 points (IB total score without bonus points)
- Pmin
- = 24 points (lower benchmark)
Admission
If you meet the above-mentioned Requirements of the KMK of 2025, here are your possible admissions
| Admission Result | Requirements | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Direct admission (for all subjects) | Mathematics (Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretation) at Higher Level | — |
| Direct admission (subject-related) |
Mathematics (Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretation) at Standard Level AND One natural science (Biology, Chemistry, or Physics) at Higher Level |
Only for subjects not assigned to the mathematical-scientific-technical area |
| Direct admission (for all subjects) |
Mathematics (Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretation) at Standard Level AND One natural science (Biology, Chemistry, or Physics) at Higher Level |
Only valid if the IB Diploma was obtained from a school listed in Appendices 1 or 2 of the 2022 IB list. Please contact us to check if your school is listed. |
Please contact us to check if your school is listed.
If you dont meet the above-mentioned IB agreement, then you qualify for general admission to a preparatory course/the assessment examination.
Final Notes
The IBO shall regularly update the Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs about any changes to the final examination (requirements, content, organization), and shall give the German Schools Inspectorate the opportunity to inspect the work being done by the schools. If there is a need for consultation, or at the request of one of the federal states, the Advisory Committee of the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) shall assesswhether the criteria for recognition of the IB are still met.
This resolution shall enter into force on the date of its adoption by the Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs.