We strive to enable all of our graduates to leave the school with the qualification that best suits their abilities, priorities and individual goals.
We therefore offer the following qualifications:
Secondary school leaving certificate (Middle school leavers certificate)
Secondary school completion certificate (Fachoberschulreife) successful completion of SEK I)
(Digital) Fachhochschulreife - Vocational focus, in cooperation with Fachoberschule (FOS) iDSB, after year 12
IB Diploma and IB course certificates (only in conjunction with the Abitur)
German International Abitur (DIA)
We support all students equally on the path to graduation, both in the classroom and by providing counselling. All options open the doors to excellent vocational and academic pathways in Germany, the UK and internationally.
Would you like to find out more?
IGCSEs
We offer preparation courses for the IGCSES in maths and English. The exams are organised by external providers.
Middle School leavers certificate (Realschulabschluss)
Our integrated secondary school branch leads to the intermediate school leaving certificate after year 10. Depending on the number of pupils, pupils are either taught in
differentiated lessons (together with pupils in the Gymnasium, but with graded performance assessments) or
in groups with partially separate lessons, e.g. in German and English.
Under certain conditions, the intermediate school-leaving certificate enables the transition to the Gymnasium. In this case, year 10 must be repeated at grammar school level. Graduates with a Realschulabschluss are not only entitled to continue their career in the German school system, but the qualification also enables them to transfer to the best English and international schools, boarding schools and colleges.
digitale FOS
Digital FOS at the DS London
The digital Fachoberschule (FOS), which was introduced in the school year 2023/2024, offers a further opportunity to stay the Sixth Form (years 11 and 12) of the German School London alternatively to to attending the Gymnasiale Oberstufe (which leads to the German International Abitur (DIA)). Successful attendance of the FOS leads to the Fachhochschulreife (Fachabitur), which can then be used to study at all universities of applied sciences in Germany, for example, and at many universities worldwide with a Bachelor's/Master's structure.
The entry requirement is the intermediate school leaving certificate (MSA), which our students receive at the end of year 10.
We offer our digital FOS in cooperation with the International German School Brussels (iDSB), which, like DSL, is a recognised German school abroad. The iDS Brussels has been successfully running a specialised upper secondary school in Brussels for its students for many years. It has received written authorisation from the KMK to expand its offer in cooperation with other German schools abroad to include primarily online education ("Digital FOS"). We are the first German school abroad to enter into such a co-operation, as we would like to offer our DSL families another option to avoid changing schools if this is not the declared goal.
The lessons are largely provided digitally by iDS Brussels. Our pupils are connected digitally from their own DSL classroom. They follow the lessons via a video conferencing system with a monitor, camera, microphone and speakers, and work on a laptop and/or the iPad provided by the school. A teacher from London supports them as a mentor, but is not present at all times. Individual subjects (specialised practical training and sport) take place in person in London. There are also attendance phases in Brussels (kick-off week, exam preparation week, exam week for written and oral exams, graduation ceremony).
The FOS has a special focus on business and administration. This is why the subjects of business administration, accounting, economics, law, practical training and business informatics are taught here. In addition, the subjects German, English, maths, science, social studies, history and sport are taught in the general learning area.
In year 11, there are two long work placements (October to December and April to June), which last a total of 5 months. These internships can be completed in England, Germany or anywhere in the world. DS London supports our students in making contact with internship companies and with applications. An internship in London has the advantage that our students can also live at home during this time.
The digital FOS at DS London in cooperation with iDS Brussels is a contemporary way of learning that prepares our students for their future digital working world. It expands our portfolio of educational programmes in a way that is unique in the world.
IB (International Baccalaureate)
Dual Qualification at the German School London
We believe that a rigorous preparation for university studies, with a clear focus on time management, research skills and thorough academic competences permits each student to accept and meet the challenges of a university education.
In addition to the German International Abitur, the International Baccalaureate Diploma programme offers our students an additional entrance qualification for university studies and an opportunity to become competent, committed, and responsible individuals and open-minded learners.
In general, students completing year 10 are eligible to apply to the IB diploma or course candidate programme; nevertheless, a student’s academic standing and promise will be considered and determine final enrolment.
The IB Diploma Programme offers 6 subjects from 6 different academic areas:
Three subjects at higher level (HL); three at standard level (SL).
A candidate may enrol in a second Language A instead of a Language B.
Mathematics is compulsory.
A student can choose to study a group 6 subject or an additional subject from groups 1 – 5
Please inquire in regards to the currently available subjects.
Course Candidates
Category “course” applies to candidates enrolled in individual courses and not entering the full IB diploma programme. Furthermore, students who choose not to complete IB diploma requirements can be registered as Course Candidates and receive credit for already completed work in single courses.
In general, course candidates can be registered and assessed for core elements such as Extended Essay (EE) and/or Theory of Knowledge (TOK). Course candidates can also pursue Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) requirements of the diploma programme and have this requirement shown on their course results if the CAS programme is completed.
Course candidates must complete their courses; deregistration will be noted on the student’s report card.
At DSL, course candidates may choose
two or more courses
one, two or all three of the core elements
Please consider the following standards when enrolling in the IB programme:
IB learner profile aims to develop learners who are inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced and reflective
Academic potential and promise based on academic history
Commitment (completion of DIA and IB relevant assignments)
Stamina (e.g. Extended Essay, independent study, IB exams in May, completion of CAS requirements)
Students are obliged to complete three higher level and three standard level courses in order to pass the requirements of the IB diploma programme in the fields of language studies, mathematics, social sciences, natural sciences and the arts. As of SY 2023/24, students can opt to take four higher and two standard level courses.
Further requirements set by the IB diploma programme are:
Theory of knowledge: a critical reflection on the nature of truth and knowledge, including an essay based on a choice of 10 titles provided by the IBO.
CAS (creativity, activity, service): Regular commitment over a 18month period plus reflective statements plus portfolio
Extended essay: a research paper of up to 4000 words supervised by an academic advisor, allowing the student to investigate a topic of special interest, improve writing skills, and develop independent research skills.
DIA (Deutsches Internationales Abitur)
Pupils at German schools abroad take the German International Abitur (DIA), a recognised qualification that opens doors to study/training in Germany or abroad:
"With the Abitur certificate from a German school abroad, pupils receive the general higher education entrance qualification, which gives them access to any degree programme as a Bildungsinländer at universities in Germany.
At universities abroad, the Abitur certificate from a German school abroad is recognised just as easily as the Abitur certificate from a school in Germany. Due to their special competences, especially their skills in foreign and national languages, Abitur graduates from German schools abroad are granted easier access to higher education or credit points in many countries." (Information from the KMK on school-leaving qualifications abroad).
https://www.kmk.org/themen/auslandsschulen/bildungsgaenge-und-abschluesse/abitur-im-ausland.html