Bavarian International School is one of the anchor institutions among the international schools in Munich, founded in 1991 and now teaching around 1,250 students from roughly 70 nationalities. It is constituted as a not for profit company, the gAG legal form used by several German international schools, which means surpluses are reinvested rather than distributed. The school operates from two sites, a main campus at Schloss Haimhausen north of the city and a city campus in the Schwabing district, giving families a choice of location within one programme.
Bavarian International School (BIS) at a glance
| Curriculum and exam boards | IB World School; all four IB programmes, Primary Years to Diploma and Career related |
|---|---|
| Stages | Early childhood to Grade 12 (ages 3 to 19) |
| Founded | 1991 |
| Accreditation | Council of International Schools and NEASC; approved by the Bavarian government |
| Students | Around 1,250 from roughly 70 nationalities |
| Fee band | Premium for Munich |
| Campuses | Haimhausen (full continuum) and Munich Schwabing (early years and primary) |
Curriculum and academics
BIS is built entirely around the International Baccalaureate. It is the only school in Germany authorised across all four IB programmes, which lets a family keep a child in a single coherent framework from the early years to university entrance. The Primary Years and Middle Years Programmes run through the lower and middle school, and the senior school offers both the academic Diploma and the Career related pathway.
Although many North American families look at BIS, its programme is IB rather than a United States curriculum, so it should be read that way when comparing systems. Our guide to American schools in Munich sets out the genuinely US options for families who specifically want Advanced Placement and an American high school diploma, while the compare tool puts BIS next to other Munich schools side by side.
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Bavarian International School (BIS) fees
Bavarian International School fees sit in the premium tier of the Munich international school fees range, alongside Munich International School. The school publishes annual tuition that runs roughly from EUR 16,000 to EUR 22,000 by year group, and that published figure is the one to plan against because tuition is revised each year.
On top of tuition, families budget a registration charge, an entrance contribution often spread across the first years, a school bus where needed, lunch, materials and trips. BIS offers sibling discounts in common with most Munich private schools, and runs a limited financial assistance and scholarship programme, so families for whom the full fee is a stretch should ask about both before ruling the school out.
Admissions
BIS admissions run to an August start, with applications accepted across the year and mid year places offered where a year group has room. The school reviews previous reports, assesses English language readiness and considers fit for the IB framework rather than relying on one entrance test. Early year groups and the start of secondary are the busiest entry points.
Families should apply as soon as a Munich move is confirmed and provide school records and identification documents. Choosing between the two campuses is part of the decision, since the Haimhausen site carries the full continuum while the city campus covers the early and primary years, so the choice depends on where you will live and how long you plan to stay.
Location and who goes there
BIS gives families two locations. The Haimhausen campus sits around fifteen kilometres north of the city in a palace setting with extensive grounds, while the city campus on Leopoldstrasse in Schwabing serves families who want a central base for the early and primary years. School buses connect the city and the northern suburbs to Haimhausen.
The community reflects the senior international workforce that Munich attracts in technology, automotive, aerospace and finance, with no single dominant nationality. For how Schwabing and the northern suburbs compare with the rest of the city, and where other expatriate families cluster, the Munich city hub maps the districts and their schools.
Reviews
No verified reviews yet. GlobalSchoolGuide is independent and accepts no payment from schools, so we publish parent reviews only after confirming the reviewer is part of the school community. If your family knows Bavarian International School first hand, please share your experience through our school reviews hub.
Frequently asked questions
How much are Bavarian International School fees?
BIS sits in the premium band for Munich. Published annual tuition runs roughly from EUR 16,000 to EUR 22,000 depending on the year group. Add registration, an entrance contribution, bus, lunch and trips, and ask about sibling discounts and the limited financial assistance programme.
Does Bavarian International School offer the IB?
Yes. BIS is the only school in Germany authorised to offer all four IB programmes, from the Primary Years Programme through the Middle Years Programme to the Diploma and Career related Programmes in the senior school.
Is Bavarian International School a good school?
BIS is the Munich area's largest international school, an IB World School accredited by the Council of International Schools and NEASC. We do not publish a star rating without verified parent reviews, so we describe its programme, scale and accreditation rather than score it.
When do Bavarian International School applications open?
The main intake starts in August and applications run year round, with mid year places where a year group has space. Apply as soon as a Munich move is confirmed, since early years and the start of secondary fill first.
Does BIS have more than one campus?
Yes. BIS runs a main campus at Schloss Haimhausen north of Munich, which carries the full continuum to Grade 12, and a city campus in Schwabing for the early years and primary school.
