Diploma Options IB and High School
In Grades 11 and 12 the school offers the International Baccalaureate Programmes. These are rigorous pre-university courses of study, leading to external examinations and meeting the needs of students between the ages of 16 and 19.
The IB Programmes are designed to promote international understanding and facilitate the mobility of students to a wide variety of institutions by offering a rigorous, holistic approach to learning.
VIS offers students the opportunity to study two different diploma or graduation routes simultaneously: the VIS Diploma (with possible IB Courses) and the IB Diploma.
These two options can be taken with or without Austrian Matura Equivalence.
VIS High School Diploma
The VIS High School Diploma is an accredited leaving certificate that is recognised by a number of universities and organisations throughout the world.
Students earn a VIS Diploma by fulfilling course credits during Grades 9-12, which are earned through internal examinations and coursework in VIS courses.
For university entry, the VIS Diploma is recognised in a number of US and private universities, though on its own does not open access to national universities across Europe, including UCAS. Please see the University page for more information.
For course selection, students have great flexibility and may build a programme of study with any mix of HL and SL courses. English and Maths must be taken in both Grades 11 and 12, and CAS completion is a requirement.
Students may complete IB Course credit for individual courses while pursuing the VIS HS Diploma. This results in the award of an IB course certificate., which may be used towards university admission or credit in some cases.
IB Diploma
The IB Diploma is an accredited leaving certificate that is recognised almost universally at universities and organisations throughout the world.
Students earn an IB Diploma by achieving points for their courses, gained through a combination of internal coursework and rigorous examinations at the end of Grade 12.
For university entry, the IB Diploma is recognised throughout the world. Certain systems, universities, and programmes of study at university require certain IB subjects or levels for entry. Please see the University page for more information.
For course selection, students select 3 HL subjects and 3 SL subjects, in addition to completing the three elements of the IB Core. Subjects must be selected in a set order from the different IB Diploma subject groups.
IB Courses
Students who are pursing the VIS High School Diploma can take a selection of IB diploma programme courses for course credit.
What Programme is right for me?
Students should take time to consider, after reflecting on strengths and interests and careful research of university entry requirements, which Diploma option is best for them.
Pursuing these Diplomas can be done in the following combinations:
IB Diploma AND VIS Diploma: as these Diplomas are based on the same courses, students successfully pursuing the IB Diploma will in most cases also earn the VIS Diploma. Students pursuing this option should
have past academic results and approvals which indicate that s/he would be capable of earning the IB Diploma
need the IB Diploma for university entry (in systems such as UCAS)
VIS Diploma ONLY: this option allows for greater flexibility in the selection of subjects in Grade 11 and 12. Students may select up to 6 individual courses without the requirements of 3 HL and 3 SL courses. Students may also sit individual course examinations with the IB for "Course" credit, which may be redeemed or used for entry at some universities. Students pursuing this option would
have past academic results and approvals which indicate that s/he would find the IB Diploma too challenging
need only a VIS Diploma or IB Courses for university entry