The IB Diploma at Nymphenburger Schulen

Are you a world class student?

Please read below for some general information on the IB at Nymphenburger Schools. To find out even more, visit us on our open evenings.

The Nymphenburger IB curriculum: choice of subjects

Nymphenburger Gymnasium – to the best of our knowledge – is the first officially recognised school in Bavaria to offer both the IB Diploma Programme and the Abitur.
The curriculum contains six subject groups together with the DP core: Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS); the Extended Essay (EE); and Theory of Knowledge (TOK).
All subjects are studied concurrently across the two years and students are exposed to the two great traditions of learning: the humanities and the sciences.

Choice of subjects (2015 entry):

Group 1 – German A Literature Higher Level
Group 2 – English B Higher Level
Group 3 - History Standard Level
Group 4 - Biology Higher Level 
Group 5 - Mathematics Standard Level
Group 6 – Film Standard Level

More subjects will be offered in the course of the next years (e.g. Physics).

The Core really represents the heart of the IB programme. It comprises Theory of Knowledge (TOK), the Extended Essay (EE) and Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS).

Theory of Knowledge

During the TOK programme you will examine how we look at knowledge. You will learn about the different ways we have of knowing e.g. through our emotions and through our reason, as well as a range of different areas of knowledge, for example, the Arts and Natural Sciences. TOK will prompt you to see yourself as a thinker and to recognise the need to act responsibly in our complex world. TOK links the academic subjects of the IB programme, thereby helping you to see ways in which you can connect your knowledge.

The Extended Essay

The Extended Essay is an independent piece of research, brought together in a 4,000 word essay. It provides excellent practical preparation for university and is highly valued by university admissions staff. It is an opportunity for you to engage in an in-depth study of a subject in which you are interested and might study at university. You will be supported throughout the process with advice and guidance from a supervisor.

Creativity, Activity and Service

Your CAS activities are an integral part of your IB programme. CAS values you and your contribution to the world around you. The CAS programme at Nymphenburger is flexible and includes a wide range of activities, for example sports, theatre, art, music, volunteering or expeditions - it all depends on what kind of person you are. The common element is that your participation in CAS will involve some kind of service to a community, for example coaching a football team, volunteering in an old people’s home or organising a charity event. You will also have fun, develop as a person and meet new people.

IB DP students at Nymphenburger Schools will need to take more written and oral tests than those students preparing for the Abitur only. Some of these grades will be given by their course teachers, other tests will be graded by external IB DP examiners. The grades range from 0 points (fail) to 7 points (outstanding). With six subjects covered, a student arrives at 42 points. An additional 3 points can be earned through Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge, thus bringing the maximum total up to 45 points. Students need 24 points to acquire the full Diploma Programme. (Special regulations apply if the IB Diploma is used for university entry at a German university.)

The International Baccalaureate Programme places strong emphasis on academic rigour, commitment, international understanding and responsible citizenship. The general regulations set by the International Baccalaureate Organisation state: “The IBO expects students to participate in the IB curriculum as structured and required by the school; to comply with all subject-specific regulations and internal school deadlines, and to complete the Diploma Programme over a period of two years.”

Students failing to meet internal school deadlines risk not being able to achieve an IB Diploma. The school endeavours to ease the workload of the student by phasing deadlines over the two years of the IB programme. The student is given a calendar for the year to enable him/her to plan their work schedule and always know when a deadline is approaching.

When you aspire being part of the IB DP at Nymphenburger Schools we assume that you are an open-minded person who is interested in understanding different cultures and different ways of thinking. But there is more to be considered before you apply. Answer the following ten questions honestly. Circle the numbers that seem most appropriate to you and add them up. Compare with the suggestions below.

1 = absolutely true             2 = sometimes                3 = have difficulties

10 – 13 points

Yes, you can do it.

14 – 16 points

Well, it depends on how seriously you make the IB DP your priority.

17 – 30 points

You should not try doing both Abitur and IB DP exams and rather focus on the Abitur.