For students who wish for a more career-focused study in a specialised field, the IB Careers Programme is a great choice. It balances academic study with experiential, career-related learning. Students gain in-depth subject knowledge in their area of specialisation, gain hands-on project experience, and develop personal and professional skills that prepare them for the 21st-century working world.

At GESS, Business and Sustainability is the specialised pathway offered for the IB Careers Program. Given predictions that by 2030, there will be 24 million jobs in the green economy, this pathway provides students with a highly desirable skill set and expertise for the future job market.

There are three components to the IB Careers Programme:

1. Career-Related Studies

2. Diploma Programme Courses

3. IB Careers Program Core

Career-Related Studies

Business and Sustainability (SUMAS)
Given predictions that by 2030 there will be 24 million jobs in the green economy, this pathway provides students with a highly desirable skill set for the future job market. Students pursue business and sustainability management courses delivered online by SUMAS professors and tutors, studying in a global classroom that connects GESS learners with peers from around the world.

Examples of mandatory courses:

• Fundamentals of Sustainability

• Leadership

• Sustainable Innovation

Examples of specialist courses:

• Sustainable Fashion

• Sustainable Finance and Digitalisation

• Nature Conservation

Students will also apply their learning through a Sustainability Leadership Camp and an Integrative Project Experience.

Creative Arts and Design (SCAD)

In partnership with the Savannah College of Art and Design, students explore a wide range of creative disciplines — from digital media and fashion marketing to graphic design and photography. The pathway nurtures creative thinking, design skills, and entrepreneurial mindsets essential for tomorrow’s creative industries.

Examples of SCAD courses include:

• Foundation Studies (STEM)

• Foundation Studies – Digital Media Majors (STEM)

• Foundation Studies & Liberal Arts

• Foundation Studies & Liberal Arts (No Drawing Required)

• Advertising & Branding (STEM)

• Graphic Design (STEM)

• Interactive Design & Game Development (STEM)

• Photography

• Sequential Art

• Fashion Marketing & Management

• Social Strategy & Management (STEM)

• Custom Track

This pathway enables students to discover their creative strengths, build professional portfolios, and connect with industry-leading mentors and peers from across the world.

Sports Management (WAoS)

Through the World Academy of Sport, students gain a professional understanding of sports business, leadership, and athlete management. This pathway is ideal for those passionate about the global sports industry, combining theory with real-world examples from international sporting organisations.

Diploma Programme Courses

As part of the IBCP, students select IB Diploma Programme (DP) courses that best complement their chosen Career-related Study. This combination ensures a balanced education that develops both academic depth and practical expertise.

• Business and Sustainability (SUMAS): Students often select Business Management and Economics, which strengthen their understanding of global markets, sustainable business strategies, and ethical decision-making.

• Creative Arts and Design (SCAD): Many students choose Visual Arts and Design Technology, which support creative expression, design innovation, and technical skill development essential for the creative industries.

Sports Management (WAoS):

Students typically select Sports, Exercise and Health Science and Business Management, allowing them to explore both the physical and commercial aspects of the global sports sector.

This tailored approach empowers students to connect their academic learning directly with their future career aspirations.

IB Career-related Programme Core

The IBCP Core includes Personal and Professional Skills, Service Learning, Language Development, and the Reflective Project. Together, these components foster ethical awareness, intercultural understanding, and professional confidence — qualities that prepare GESS students to thrive in the modern world.

Our award-winning BeyondClassrooms programme offers students a unique insight into the workings of today’s top industries, global companies, and organisations. It demonstrates to students the power of their knowledge and how it can serve as a starting point for achieving practical, impactful outcomes in the real world. Students gain a perspective on the exciting education and career pathways ahead of them and can make more informed decisions about their future.

The many initiatives in the BeyondClassrooms Programme:

• Internships with leading global companies

• Industry expert talks

• Site and factory visits

• Career counselling and guidance from professionals

• Mentorship with industry leaders

• Opportunities to collaborate on projects

We work with remarkable partners such as:

• BMW – manufacturer of luxury vehicles and motorcycles

• Danfoss – an engineering and sustainable innovation company

• Evonik – a speciality chemicals company

• Alba Berlin – a professional basketball club based in Berlin

• Invitrocue – a bio-analytics solutions provider

School Trips and Enrichment Activities

Our school trips and enrichment activities challenge students to step out of their comfort zones and participate in experiences that foster character growth, promote intercultural understanding and encourage meaningful engagement with diverse communities and the environment.

Past school trips and enrichment activities have included:

• Social Project in India and Cambodia

• Language Trips

GESS is an international school that believes academic success and student wellbeing are deeply interconnected. When students feel supported, confident, and understood, they are far more likely to thrive not just in the classroom but in every aspect of their lives. That’s why we’ve made significant investments in both wellbeing and guidance, creating a high school environment where every student is known, valued, and empowered. From targeted academic support to personalised university and career counselling, our approach ensures that students are well-prepared for their next steps, equipped not only with strong results but with the self-awareness, resilience, and life skills to flourish beyond school.

After School Subject Support (Grades 11 and 12)
We offer tutoring sessions twice a week for English, mathematics and science subject groups to provide an extra avenue for students to clarify doubts, reinforce understanding of concepts, and work on weaker areas.

Study Hall Sessions (Grades 11 and 12)

Free periods in the day are converted to study hall sessions where students can focus on assignments, project work, and revision under teacher supervision.

University and Career Guidance

Grade 11

Weekly lessons guide students through selecting universities, choosing suitable undergraduate degree courses, and preparing for university applications. Topics covered include university application processes, writing personal statements, and preparing for admissions interviews.

Grade 12

Weekly lessons focusing on preparing students for life after school. Students explore what it means to live and study independently at university, learning the essential life skills they need to thrive. They also learn about building impressive career profiles, including securing the right internships, effective networking, and utilising LinkedIn effectively.

GESS graduates leave school with a portfolio of experiences and achievements that open doors to exceptional universities around the world. To find out more about our university acceptances, please visit Our Students page.

United Kingdom

University College London, King’s College London, Durham University, University of Bath, University of Manchester, University of Reading, University of Bristol, University of Southampton

Canada

University of Toronto, York University, University of the Fraser Valley, McMaster University

United States

New York University, University of California, Los Angeles, Boston University, Parsons School of Design

Australia

Monash University, The University of Western Australia, Griffith University

Singapore

Nanyang Technological University, LASALLE College of the Arts

Europe

Technical University of Munich, INSEAD, University of Amsterdam, ESSEC Business School

GESS is a non-selective international school and we welcome students with diverse talents and abilities that meet our high school requirements.

• C1 Advanced level of English
• CEM Baseline online assessment
• English Placement Test for applicants from a non-English medium school
• No prior knowledge of German language is required
• Reference letter from previous school
• School reports
• Entry into language programmes is subject to minimum proficiency levels