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The IB Diploma is a globally recognised school-leaving qualification awarded by the International Baccalaureate Organisation (International education – International Baccalaureate®) which provides students with the best possible preparation for higher education and an international future. Since 2007, Lessing-Gymnasium has been one of the few state schools in Germany to offer the IB Diploma in addition to the Abitur.
Our students thus acquire a special dual qualification: the German Abitur and the international IB Diploma. This combination opens up excellent opportunities for university programmes both in Germany and abroad and strengthens key skills such as academic research, critical thinking and confident communication in English.
At Lessing Gymnasium, the IB Diploma Programme begins at the start of year 12(Q1 / qualification phase) and combines the requirements of the Abitur with the international standards of the IB Diploma. Many subjects are taught bilingually, meaning that pupils receive up to 22 hours of lessons in English per week. Particular highlights include small learning groups, international learning formats and intensive individual support.
In total, students must take six subjects from at least five different subject groups in the IB (Figure 1). Three subjects are taken as Higher Level (HL) courses and three further subjects as Standard Level (SL) courses. Lessing Gymnasium offers the following subjects and elective options:
| IB subject groups | IB subjects offered at Lessing-Gymnasium |
|---|---|
| Studies in language and literatur | Deutsch A: Literatur (HL) (English A: Literature (HL) possible) |
| Language acquisition | Englisch B (HL) (German B (HL) possible |
| Individuals and societies | Geschichte (HL) oder Sozialwissenschaften/Economics (HL) |
| Sciences | Biologie (SL) |
| Mathematics | Mathematik (SL) (zum Teil auf Englisch) |
| Electives | Italienisch (SL) oder Französisch (SL) oder Sozialwissenschaften/Economics (SL) oder Geschichte (SL) oder Chemie (SL) |
In addition to the academic subjects, the programme also includes special components such as:
- Theory of Knowledge (TOK) – a course centred on the guiding question ‘How is knowledge created?’
- Extended Essay – a 4,000-word research paper
- Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) – creative, athletic and social engagement
- International-Mindedness – international perspectives across all subjects
IIB students must take the six IB subjects, as well as the Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and World Literature (WL) courses, for year 12 and 13 (Q1/Q2: Qualifikationsphase). World Literature is a course that formally forms part of the IB ‘Language A: Literature (HL)’ subject. This course covers content that is not included in the basic level courses (Grundkurse) or advanced level courses (Leistungskurse) in the upper secondary school in North Rhine-Westphalia. The ‘WL course’ counts towards the Abitur.
For the Abitur programme English is chosen as one of the advanced-level course; the second advanced-level course can be chosen according to personal preference. In subjects where the IB compulsory requirements or teaching hours cannot be covered within the German curriculum, additional lessons are arranged. Some of these count towards the Abitur as project course (Projektkurs) or supplementary courses (Vertiefungs- oder Zusatzkurse).
Lessing Gymnasium delivers the IB Diploma Programme in such a way that the two qualifications are effectively integrated. Many courses and assessments can count towards both the Abitur and the IB Diploma. This means that students benefit from a challenging yet well-coordinated education.
Those who take part in the IB programme are choosing curiosity, personal responsibility and international perspectives – and excellent preparation for higher education and a career in a globalised world.
Costs of participation
- A large proportion of the costs (annual fee for programme participation, examination fees, teacher training and teaching materials) is partly covered by the school authority, the City of Cologne.
- The school authority currently charges (as of May 2026) €250 per school year per participant to cover part of the costs.
- Some of the teaching materials (e.g. reading materials) must be purchased by the participants themselves.