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Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Middle School, High School
Introduction
Graz International Bilingual School (GIBS) is a state bilingual senior secondary school in Graz, Austria, offering a German‑English curriculum for students aged 10–18. The bilingual programme begins in Grade 5 and combines the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (Grades 11–12) with the Austrian Matura, so graduates earn both qualifications. German (A, B or Ab Initio) is obligatory, and the language of instruction is English, supported by a dedicated GIBS Foundation that funds language assistants and trips. Since January 2024 the school has charitable status. Located at Georgigasse 85, 8020 Graz, GIBS has more than 600 students and 60+ staff, and an on‑site library with an online catalogue. IB facilities include an Office, a Physics Lab, and dedicated classrooms; a gym, motor‑skills playground, and inclusive wheelchair basketball support sport. After‑school care (ACE), activities such as Gardening, Choir and Adventure Gym, intercultural projects, exchanges, and a strong CAS program enrich the curriculum here.
Graz International Bilingual School has instruction in English, German.
Location
Georgigasse 85, 8020 Graz, Austria
Stages
Eight-year program (Grades 5–12; Years 1–8)
Type
Bilingual senior secondary school (German-English)
Pupil Nationality Mix
20+ nationalities represented
Additional learning support
Additional learning assistance in core subjects with GIBS teachers
Country affiliation
Austria
School day structure
45-minute periods
Fees
Application fees
- There is no general tuition application fee for regular entry to the state-funded GIBS. - For applicants to the IB / pre-IB program: a written and oral assessment carries a fee of EUR 50 per candidate; this assessment fee is non-refundable. Students accepted into the IB/pre-IB program must also agree to pay the yearly contribution to the school support association and the IB examination and assessment fees.
Tuition fees by year group (per term / per year)
- GIBS is a state-funded Austrian Gymnasium and does not charge tuition fees for attendance. Tuition per term: EUR 0; tuition per school year: EUR 0, for all year groups. - Separate from tuition, the GIBS Foundation (Verein zur Förderung der GIBS) collects a membership contribution that supports language assistants, trips, materials and other non-government-funded items. Membership fees were EUR 450 per child per school year (with a voluntary higher contribution of EUR 650) in the published fee information. This is presented as an annual charge per child (not as a termly tuition amount).
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Foundation membership fees are collected annually and payment is taken by direct debit in November of each school year (parents are asked to authorise a direct-debit mandate to VF‑GIBS). - The IB/pre-IB written and oral assessment fee (EUR 50) is payable at the time of assessment and is non-refundable. Enrollment into IB requires agreement to pay IB examination and assessment fees and the yearly support-association contribution. Parents of students who enter after Year 5 are required to pay a lump-sum contribution equal to the annual contributions from Year 1 up to the year the student begins at GIBS.
Boarding fees (if applicable)
- GIBS is a day senior secondary bilingual school for students aged 10–18 located in Graz; no boarding programme or boarding fees are published. Boarding fees: not applicable.
Other costs and fees (examples and typical items)
- IB examination and mentoring fees (Extended Essay/internal assessment-related fees) are charged to parents for IB candidates. IB textbooks required for the Diploma Programme are also a parental expense. - Costs for school trips, student events, certain specialised learning materials, language assistants and library maintenance are identified as expenses not covered by public funding; these items are typically financed by the GIBS Foundation through membership contributions or billed separately for specific trips/activities. - Parents' Association support may cover part of trip costs for families in financial need; separate application processes exist for such support. - No compulsory uniform fee or uniform price list is published in the school's fee information for GIBS; uniform charges are not listed as a standard school fee in the published fee material.
Refund information
- The IB/pre-IB assessment fee of EUR 50 is explicitly non-refundable. - No general refund policy for foundation membership contributions or other incidental charges is published in the school's fee information; specific refunds or reductions (for families in financial need) are handled via established financial-support procedures.
Fee payment options and banking details
- Foundation membership contributions are collected by direct debit (Einzugsermächtigung) in November; parents are asked to authorise direct-debit mandates to VF‑GIBS. - The GIBS Foundation provides an IBAN for donations/payments: IBAN AT70 3800 0001 0246 6977 (BIC: RZSTAT2G). Other official e-billing identifiers (school number/UID) are published for administrative billing. Payments by bank transfer/SEPA and direct debit are the established methods shown; credit-card payment is not listed in the published fee information.
Brief summary of available figures and remaining items not explicitly published
- Published tuition: none (state school – no tuition charge). Foundation membership: published amount EUR 450 per child per school year (published figure relates to the school-year information available in the school's fee material). IB/pre-IB assessment fee: EUR 50 per candidate (non-refundable). IB examination, assessment and textbook costs are charged to parents but exact IB exam price components are not listed in the school's public fee statements.
- The school's published material does not contain a full term-by-term fee table labelled for the 2026/27 academic year; the membership figure above appears in the published information for earlier school-year material and the IB assessment fee is given in the IB-admission information. The school's published material does not list a boarding charge (no boarding programme), does not publish a compulsory uniform fee, and does not publish a universal refund schedule beyond the stated non-refundable assessment fee.
Academics
Graz International Bilingual School teaches IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum for students aged 10 to 18.
Curriculum
GIBS provides a bilingual German-English senior secondary curriculum for students aged 10–18. The bilingual programme starts in Grade 5. It offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in Grades 11–12, with preparation in Grade 10; graduates earn both the IBDP and the Austrian Standardisierte Reifeprüfung (Matura). German (A, B or Ab Initio) is an obligatory subject.
Higher Education Progression
The IB Diploma Programme is internationally recognized and opens doors to leading universities worldwide.
Wellbeing
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
GIBS supports social-emotional learning through Discovery Learning, which uses a wide range of approaches to help students develop social skills and gain academic knowledge for lifelong learning. Personal and Global Responsibility develops autonomy and teamwork that extend beyond the individual and immediate community. Language Proficiency is fostered through multilingual teaching, with International Mindedness promoting respect for cultural diversity. The school maintains a harmonious climate based on mutual understanding and respect, guided by a Code of Conduct to support a positive study environment. Social Learning is embedded in daily life, including Year 1 companions (older students who welcome and assist newcomers) and ongoing collaboration among staff, students and parents, reinforced by weekly staff meetings.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Language of instruction is English and GIBS provides bilingual German-English education throughout Years 1–8. Native Speaking Language Assistants support English, French, Spanish and Russian. German as a Second Language (DaZ) courses run year-round and are grouped by CEFR levels A1–C1, with new students placed via informal interviews. German tutoring groups for new students are offered and can be attended for up to two years. In Year 3, students choose between French or Spanish as a second language and in Year 5 Latin, French, Spanish or Russian is offered.
Mental Wellbeing
GIBS provides mental wellbeing support through two School Counselors (Eva Koegeler and Jana Staltner) and a School Psychologist (Mag.a Fabienne Konrad-Wieser). The counselors assist with exam anxiety, career guidance, conflicts in the social environment, integration, and personal crises, with designated office hours for accessibility. The school also connects to the Steiermark Schulpsychologische Beratungsstellen (School Psychological Counseling) for additional support.
Safeguarding
The Code of Conduct ensures the safe and efficient running of the school, the comfort and well-being of all students and staff, and the protection of the school premises. Safeguarding is supported by School Counselors and a School Psychologist, who provide guidance for students, parents and staff, and the school directs to regional safeguarding resources as needed.
Admissions
Admissions
Year 1/Grade 5 enrolment: Applications for 2026/27 begin with an early online admissions window from December 1 to December 20, 2025. Interviews for new Year 1 classes (three classes of 25 students each) are held January 9–10, 2026; bilingual interviews are conducted in English and German. Applicants should upload 2024/25 report cards (Schulnachricht and Jahreszeugnis) or the last two report cards if not in Austria, with file names in the format SURNAME-FIRSTNAME-REPORTCARD. Following the interview, acceptance or non-acceptance is communicated by February 22, 2026. Schul- und Berufsinformationsmesse (Wohin nach der Volksschule?) occurs on 17–18 October 2025; due to limited capacity, not all applicants can be accepted. An online application form is available from December 1 to December 20, 2025.
Admission Years 2-6/Grades 6-10: To be considered for year 2 and above, the majority of classes are currently full and there are waiting lists for all year groups; priority will be given to applicants who perform well in academic assessments and to those relocating to Styria for employment purposes. 1. Complete the GIBS international admissions form. 2. 3. Attend an assessment and interview (assessment days organized throughout the school year; can be online in exceptional circumstances). 4. Decision: once the steps are completed, a decision is given; if suitable but no space is available in the requested class, the applicant is placed on a waiting list. For transfers within Austria, language requirements apply and students begin language study in Year 3.
Admission IBDP (Grades 11-12): Application process for international students for the IB and pre-IB programs. Placements are based on availability, residency and fluency in either English or German, and due to limited places, placements for the upcoming school year are offered at the end of each academic year. Step 1: General enquiry via the international admissions form. Step 2: Provide copies of educational history and proof of residency. Step 3: School visit and appointment with the admissions officer. Step 4: Assessment in Math and English (and German when applicable). The written and oral assessment carries a 50 euro fee per candidate. Step 5: Formal registration with required documents and enrollment; being a state-funded Gymnasium, the Austrian Ministry covers the majority of costs; your contributions include IB examination and mentoring fees, textbooks, and proof of residency.
Waitlist
There are waiting lists for all year groups; priority is given to applicants who perform well in academic assessments and to those relocating to Styria for employment.
FAQs
What curriculum does GIBS follow?
GIBS provides a bilingual German-English senior secondary curriculum across eight years (Grades 5-12). Students in Grades 11-12 can pursue the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme alongside the Austrian Matura, graduating with both qualifications.
Is GIBS a state school or private school?
GIBS is a state-funded bilingual senior secondary school in Graz, Austria. There is no general tuition fee for regular entry, though IB programme students pay assessment and examination fees.
What are the tuition fees at GIBS?
GIBS is a state school and charges no regular tuition for general enrolment. IB/pre-IB applicants pay a EUR 50 non-refundable assessment fee, plus yearly school support association contributions and IB examination fees.
What age range does GIBS serve?
GIBS serves students aged 10 to 18, from Grade 5 through Grade 12 across an eight-year programme.
How many students attend GIBS?
GIBS has approximately 500 students representing over 20 nationalities.
What languages are taught at GIBS?
GIBS teaches in English and German throughout all eight years. Native-speaking language assistants support English, French, and other languages. German is obligatory at A, B, or Ab Initio level.
Does GIBS offer additional learning support?
GIBS provides additional learning assistance in core subjects delivered by GIBS teachers. However, there is no dedicated SEN department or specialist support for complex learning needs.
What is the admissions process at GIBS?
For Year 1/Grade 5 in 2026/27, applications open with an early online admissions window from December 1 to December 20, 2025. Interviews for new students follow early in the new year.
What extracurricular activities are available at GIBS?
GIBS offers CAS projects integrated into the IB Diploma Programme, a Junior Choir, Culture Day events, and participation in international programmes such as Erasmus+ initiatives and UNESCO exchanges.
Where is GIBS located?
GIBS is located at Georgigasse 85, 8020 Graz, Austria. The school is in the centre of Graz, Austria's second-largest city.
Does GIBS have sports facilities?
The campus includes facilities accessible via a virtual building tour. Detailed information on specific sports facilities should be confirmed directly with the school.
Can GIBS graduates attend universities abroad?
Yes. GIBS graduates who complete the IB Diploma alongside the Austrian Matura hold two internationally recognised qualifications, enabling university entry in Austria and worldwide.
