Qualifications

The goal of all our students is the Abitur after grade 13. As our Gymnasium is state-recognised, our Abitur students take the regular Bavarian Abitur, which is set centrally for all Gymnasiums in Bavaria by the Ministry of Education. It comprises three written and two oral final examinations in the areas of languages, natural sciences and social sciences. The examination subjects can be chosen individually by the Abitur students, subject to compliance with certain framework conditions, and can, for some subjects, also be taken in English, for example (oral examination subjects). Traditionally, the subject of English itself is a very popular and very successful exam option at our school.

By passing the 10th grade, our students automatically acquire the intermediate school-leaving certificate (similar to GCSE’s) and advance to the qualification phase of the upper school, i.e. grades 12 and 13.  In the qualification phase, the students not only prepare for their final Abitur exams, they also earn two thirds of their total Abitur marks over the two years, one-third in each year.

In contrast to other school-leaving qualifications (e.g. A-Levels or IB), the Abitur provides access to all courses of study at all universities and colleges in Germany - regardless of the subjects in which the Abitur examination was taken, as the 3-year upper secondary school education imparts a broad and in-depth general education and thus optimally prepares students for university admission, independent of subject. The German Abitur is also highly recognised abroad.

• The promotion of critical thinking, the independence of the pupils, a high standard of subject matter and scientific work are the defining elements of the gymnasiale Oberstufe (German Upper Secondary School) and lay the foundation for the ability to study and successful lifelong learning and working.  The design of the gymnasiale Oberstufe in Bavaria supports this in special formats that go beyond the regular subject lessons and meet the demands of the world of work, namely for an education of young people that is more strongly oriented towards key competencies. One example is in the competency of science-oriented work: In the "W-Seminars" in Grade 12 and 13, as well as the "Science Week" in Grade 11, pupils acquire interdisciplinary competencies to meet the rigors of a scientific study and, in developing a critical, persistent, inquisitive attitude, they promote both their scientific understanding and their personal character. In concrete terms, they learn how to write a scientific paper, with all that this entails: research, critical questioning, summarising, formulating, citing, and much more. Very useful skills when one is starting a university programme…
• Project work: The "P-Seminar" in grade 11 serves, on the one hand, as a project-based career orientation, as well as the more immediate university programme orientation and, on the other hand, in focusing on project work, it strengthens the collaborative skills which are so essential in today's professional world. Thus, the pupils organise a joint project as independently as possible, which offers them a variety of opportunities to discover, test and solidify their own interests and strengths. They take on project-specific roles, reflect on their contribution to the project work and gain important experience that will help them in their professional orientation. They also learn about the basics of project management as an important method in the modern working world and gain insights into the reality of the professional world through cooperation with external partners.
• Study and career orientation: Several modules, which are completed in the upper secondary school, promote and deepen the career choice competency, i.e. the ability to independently make a reflected career choice decision. Pupils focus on the course work of university and career orientation (e.g. internships, career information evenings, application training, self-competency tests, etc.) mainly in the module on career orientation in Year 9 and in the advanced module on career orientation in Years 12 and 13.

As an IB World School, Phorms Campus Munich offers our Abitur students the opportunity to further enrich their learning experiences and add to their qualifications by pursuing either single IB Subject Certificates or the full IB Diploma – in addition to their Abitur Diploma.

The IB at Phorms is for ambitious, internationally minded students who seek not only to distinguish themselves in the university application process, but to seize the opportunity to exercise academic skills in English at a university level. Variances in focal points and approaches to teaching and learning a subject add valuable perspectives for the students. This is especially true for the international mindedness that permeates all IB curricula.

Many Phorms IB Alumni have gone on to study in international programs where the language of instruction is English. In addition to many prestigious universities here in Germany, our alumni have gone on to study in the UK, Canada, Netherlands, Spain, Poland, Israel and the US.

Starting in September of 2023, new IB students will follow a November exam schedule.  Sitting their IB exams in November of their Q13_1, will allow the students more concentration for both their final IB and Abitur exams. Moreover, starting their IB program in January of their Y11, will allow for a Pre-DP foundation semester and a more successful start to their chosen IB program.