PRE-IB Summer Courses in Vienna | Study Academy Vienna

Our Media

IB Courses Brochure Download our PDF IB Courses Video Check our video Campus Video Check our video

Prepare for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme

Starting the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme is an exciting step, but it can also be academically demanding. For this reason, Study Academy Vienna’s PRE-IB Summer Courses in Vienna help students prepare before the school year begins by strengthening key subject knowledge, developing essential academic skills, and building confidence.

In addition, our experienced IB teachers and IB examiners introduce students to IB learning, academic expectations, and independent study while developing critical-thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills. As a result, students can identify knowledge gaps early and start the IB Diploma Programme better prepared, more organised, and more confident.

Why Students Choose Study Academy Vienna

Since 2014, Study Academy Vienna has supported students from international schools worldwide with IB preparation and academic support.

Experienced IB teachers & IB examiners
Focused preparation before starting the IB Diploma Programme
Stronger foundations in key IB subjects
Introduction to IB learning and academic expectations
Independent learning, organisation & study skills
Small teaching groups with personalised feedback
International students from schools around the world
Beautiful Vienna campus at Schloss Miller-Aichholz
24/7 pastoral care for residential students
Highly recommended by students & parents – 300+ 5-star Google reviews

The PRE-IB Summer Experience in Vienna

Students study at Schloss Miller-Aichholz in Vienna, surrounded by beautiful gardens and parkland where academic life and summer life naturally come together. Between lessons, students can relax, spend time outdoors, and meet young people from international schools around the world. Consequently, the friendly and international atmosphere helps students quickly feel part of the Study Academy Vienna family.

For many students, the experience becomes one of the highlights of their summer. They leave Vienna better prepared for the IB Diploma Programme, with new friendships, great memories, and a positive start to their IB journey.

How Our PRE-IB Summer Courses (On-Ground) Work

Students can choose 1–6 PRE-IB subjects, depending on the subjects they plan to study and where they would benefit most from additional preparation before beginning the IB Diploma Programme.

Each subject is taught intensively for approximately 16–18 hours, including guided homework. During this time, students concentrate on one subject at a time, rather than moving between several subjects each day. As a result, this focused PRE-IB course structure allows students to explore important subject foundations in greater depth and make meaningful progress before moving to their next subject.

What to Expect During the Course

In addition, our PRE-IB Summer Courses combine structured subject preparation with interactive lessons, practical activities, and individual guidance from experienced IB teachers.

During the course, students will have:

Approximately 16–18 hours per PRE-IB subject, including guided homework
1–6 PRE-IB subjects according to their individual programme
One subject studied intensively at a time for greater focus
Small teaching groups for individual attention
Interactive classroom discussions and problem-solving activities
Practical and subject-specific learning activities and exercises
Individual guidance and personalised teacher feedback
Subject-specific PRE-IB learning materials
Regular breaks and lunch throughout the intensive teaching day

Typical PRE-IB Summer Course Schedule

Time	Schedule
08:30–09:00	Breakfast
09:00–11:00	PRE-IB subject session
11:00–11:30	Morning break
11:30–13:00	PRE-IB subject session
13:00–14:00	Lunch break
14:00–15:30	PRE-IB subject session
After Scheduled Lessons	Private tuition, additional subjects, individual study, organised activities or free time

Beyond the Scheduled Lessons

Residential students stay at Hotel Europahaus Wien on the same campus as Schloss Miller-Aichholz, surrounded by a large, protected private park. In addition, breakfast, lunch, snacks and refreshments, 24/7 pastoral care and optional airport transfers are available throughout their stay. On the first day, students join a Vienna trip where they can meet and get to know each other. Afterwards, organised activities are offered after lessons, while students can also choose to spend their free time visiting Vienna city centre.

Build the Skills You Need Before Starting the IB Diploma Programme

Success in the International Baccalaureate requires more than knowing subject content. In addition, students need to analyse information, communicate ideas clearly, manage demanding workloads and take greater responsibility for their own learning. Therefore, our PRE-IB Summer Courses help students develop these core academic abilities before entering the IB Diploma Programme, giving them an important head start for the two years ahead.

During the Course, Students Will:

Develop stronger critical-thinking and analytical skills
Apply knowledge to unfamiliar questions and situations
Improve academic writing and communication skills
Develop effective problem-solving approaches
Strengthen research and information-handling skills
Learn to evaluate information and evidence critically
Develop effective note-taking and revision techniques
Improve organisation and time-management skills
Learn how to prioritise academic tasks and deadlines
Become more independent and responsible learners
Develop strategies for managing a demanding academic workload
Build confidence when approaching challenging academic tasks
Develop learning habits that can be used throughout the IB Diploma Programme

From PRE-IB at Study Academy Vienna to Independent IB Learning

One of the biggest changes when entering the IB Diploma Programme is the greater responsibility students take for their own learning. For this reason, at Study Academy Vienna, we help students begin developing this independence before assignments, assessments, and deadlines start to accumulate.

Furthermore, our experienced IB teachers help students develop effective academic strategies and independent learning skills while also introducing selected IB topics ahead of the school year. Consequently, students can return to school already familiar with topics they will encounter during their first year of the IB Diploma Programme, giving them a valuable academic head start and helping to reduce some of the academic pressure once the school year begins. In turn, students can approach new lessons with greater understanding, build on knowledge they have already developed during their PRE-IB Summer Course, and begin the IB with greater confidence and motivation.

Choose Your PRE-IB Subjects

Students can choose 1–6 PRE-IB subjects according to what they plan to study in the IB Diploma Programme. Our PRE-IB Summer Courses cover a wide range of key IB subject areas, allowing students to strengthen important foundations before beginning their IB studies.

Languages
English A: Lang & Lit HL	German A: Lang & Lit HL	Spanish A: Lang & Lit HL	French A: Lang & Lit HL
English A: Lang & Lit SL	German A: Lang & Lit SL	Spanish A: Lang & Lit SL	French A: Lang & Lit SL
English A: Literature HL	German A: Literature HL	Spanish A: Literature HL	French A: Literature HL
English A: Literature SL	German A: Literature SL	Spanish A: Literature SL	French A: Literature SL
English B HL	German B HL	Spanish B HL	French B HL
English B SL	German B SL	Spanish B SL	French B SL
		Spanish Ab Initio	French Ab Initio
			Italian A: Lang & Lit HL
			Italian A: Lang & Lit SL
			Italian A: Literature HL
			Italian A: Literature SL

Mathematics
AA HL	AA SL	AI HL	AI SL

Sciences
Biology HL	Chemistry HL	Design Technology HL	SEHS HL
Biology SL	Chemistry SL	Design Technology SL	SEHS SL
ESS HL	Physics HL
ESS SL	Physics SL

Humanities
Economics HL	History HL	Psychology HL	Geography HL
Economics SL	History SL	Psychology SL	Geography SL
Business Management HL	Global Politics HL
Business Management SL	Global Politics SL

The ARTS
Visual Arts HL	Theatre HL	Film HL	Music HL
Visual Arts SL	Theatre SL	Film SL	Music SL

Additional IB Courses & Academic Support
IB Core Support	IA Support	Languages Support	Arts & Academic Skills
TOK Essay & Exhibition	Biology IA	English A Essay	Visual Arts – Comparative
Extended Essay	Chemistry IA	German A Essay	Visual Arts – Process
IB Exam Practice	Physics IA	Spanish A Essay	Visual Arts – Exhibition
IB Exam Techniques	ESS IA	French A Essay	Theatre Assessments
Private Subject Tuition	SEHS IA	Other Language A	Film Assessments
Stress Management & Study	Geography IA	English Literature	Music Assessments
University & Careers Advice	Psychology IA	German Literature	Microsoft Excel Skills
University Interview Training	Mathematics IA	Spanish Literature	Graphical Calculator Skills
Personal Statement	Economics IA	French Literature	CAS
	Business Management IA	Italian Literature
	History IA	Academic Writing
	Global Politics IA	Individual Oral (IO)
	Design Technology IA
	Computer Science IA
	Other Subject IA

Learn from Outstanding IB Teachers & IB Examiners

Our teaching team is at the heart of Study Academy Vienna. For this reason, we carefully select outstanding IB teachers and IB examiners from leading international schools around the world, bringing together highly experienced educators with exceptional subject knowledge, extensive IB teaching experience and, just as importantly, a genuine ability to connect with young people.

Furthermore, many of our teachers have 15–20+ years of experience teaching IB students, while some are also Chief Examiners and authors of IB textbooks and educational materials used by students internationally.

For PRE-IB students, this experience is particularly valuable. As a result, our teachers bring exceptional subject knowledge together with years of IB experience, giving students valuable insight into what lies ahead and how to approach the IB Diploma Programme successfully from day one. In particular, they know which foundations students need, where they commonly struggle, and which academic skills should be developed before the IB begins, allowing them to prepare students specifically for the challenges ahead.

Our PRE-IB Teachers Help Students:

Strengthen important subject foundations
Identify and address gaps in knowledge
Understand challenging concepts more clearly
Develop stronger analytical and problem-solving skills
Become more independent learners
Develop effective study and organisation habits
Adjust to the academic expectations of the IB
Ask questions and participate confidently
Learn from mistakes and apply feedback
Begin the IB Diploma Programme with greater confidence

However, outstanding teaching is not only about academic experience. Our teachers genuinely care about their students and bring encouragement, patience, energy and heart into the classroom. Therefore, they take time to understand individual personalities, strengths and areas where additional support is needed.

Students and parents regularly praise this combination of outstanding IB expertise and genuine personal care in our 300+ 5-star Google reviews. In fact, many students remain in contact with their teachers and return to Study Academy Vienna later for MID-IB, Final IB revision, and year-round online tutoring.

PRE-IB Summer Courses (On-Ground) Fees

2.5 days per subject · 16-18 hours per subject · Vienna campus

Choose 1–6 IB subjects at HL or SL for your PRE-IB Summer Courses.

Number of IB Subjects	Residential Fee (Shared Room)	Non-Residential Fee
1 Subject	€1,325 (approx. 3 nights)	€995
2 Subjects	€2,650 (approx. 6 nights)	€1,990
3 Subjects	€4,085 (approx. 10 nights)	€2,985
4 Subjects	€5,520 (approx. 14 nights)	€3,980
5 Subjects	€6,625 (approx. 15 nights)	€4,975
6 Subjects	€7,730 (approx. 16 nights)	€5,970
Additional optional course	€455 per option

Payment Information

A €500 non-refundable deposit is required after the application has been accepted to confirm the student’s place. The remaining balance is due 60 days before the course begins. For registrations made within 60 days, the full course fee is due after acceptance.

Payment is made by bank transfer, with payment details provided directly after registration. The bank account is held by the Founder & Owner of Study Academy Vienna and is the official account used for all Study Academy Vienna course payments and registrations.

Once the deposit has been received, students receive written confirmation of their registration and confirmed place. Before the course, students and parents receive the individual course timetable, arrival information, accommodation details (where applicable), and all final course information needed to prepare for their course and stay in Vienna.

Accommodation Information

Residential fees are based on shared-room accommodation. The number of nights shown is approximate, and 1–3 additional nights may be required depending on the student’s timetable, as lessons also run on weekends. Fees include 3-star hotel accommodation with en-suite facilities, breakfast, lunch, snacks, refreshments and 24/7 pastoral care. Single rooms are available at an additional cost, subject to availability.

Medical Insurance

Residential students must have valid medical insurance for the duration of their stay in Vienna. EU students may use a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC); non-EU students require appropriate private medical insurance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Students take part in focused, interactive lessons where they move ahead with selected IB topics and begin covering material they will study during their first year of the IB Diploma Programme.

Our experienced IB teachers combine subject learning with IB techniques, exam-style questions and IB past-paper practice, helping students understand how to approach IB learning from the beginning. Students return to school already familiar with important topics, more confident, better prepared and ready to become strong IB students.

Yes. The PRE-IB Summer Course is highly recommended for students preparing to start the IB Diploma Programme. Becoming familiar with selected IB topics before school begins gives students an academic head start and makes new material easier to understand when they encounter it again.

It can also reduce some of the pressure during the first year and help students begin the IB Diploma Programme with greater confidence.

Many students find the increased workload, independent learning, time management and higher academic expectations challenging at first. The IB also requires students to think critically, analyse information and apply knowledge rather than simply memorise content.

At Study Academy Vienna, our PRE-IB Summer Courses give students a valuable head start, developing these essential skills with highly experienced IB teachers and IB examiners. Students return to school better prepared, more confident and ready for the IB Diploma Programme.

Our experienced PRE-IB teachers are highly skilled in differentiation and adapt the pace, explanations, lesson structure and teaching approach to individual learning needs.

They may use shorter focused tasks, visual learning, repetition and appropriate breaks to help students stay engaged. Small groups also allow teachers to provide more individual attention and support.

After lessons, students can attend additional subject courses or optional private tuition, study independently, join organised activities or simply relax.

Study Academy Vienna is known for bringing students from around the world together and creating friendships that often continue for years after the summer course ends. Students can also explore Vienna, enjoy the city together and make the most of their summer in Austria.

What IB Students & Parents Say About Us

Discover their experiences through our 300+ Google Reviews

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 317 reviews 
    
 
Read Our Google Reviews
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Gonzalo De Oliveira 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My experience at Study Academy Vienna was overwhelmingly positive. The program offered a rigorous and engaging learning environment that challenged me academically while also giving me the opportunity to meet people from all over the world. Being surrounded by students with such diverse cultural backgrounds made the experience far more enriching than I expected. One of the highlights was learning from teachers with different international perspectives. In particular, my teacher from Tel Aviv was incredibly inspiring. Their teaching style, knowledge, and ability to connect lessons with real-world experiences taught me a great deal, not only academically but also culturally. Those conversations and classes broadened my perspective and made a lasting impact on me. The student community was also one of the academy’s greatest strengths. Everyone was friendly, welcoming, and open to making new friends, which made it easy to feel at home despite being in a new country. Overall, I would highly recommend Study Academy Vienna to anyone looking for a challenging academic experience combined with the chance to build friendships with people from diverse backgrounds. It was an experience that helped me grow both intellectually and personally.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Erez Egemen 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The IB Summer Camp was a rewarding and enjoyable experience. The program offered a good balance of academic learning, teamwork, and engaging activities. The instructors were knowledgeable, supportive, and encouraged us to think critically while making lessons interactive and interesting. I also appreciated the opportunity to meet students from different backgrounds and collaborate on various projects. The camp helped me improve my communication, problem-solving, and time management skills while giving me a better understanding of the IB learning approach. Overall, I would highly recommend this summer camp to anyone interested in developing their academic skills, building confidence, and making new friends. It was a memorable experience that inspired me to continue learning and growing.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Eliah Kunzmann 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Studying at the academy was one of the best, funniest, and most wonderful experiences in the IB world. Not only did I learn physics for a week, but I also made friends who made the experience unforgettable. Thank you to everyone who helped make this work. WE LOVE YOU MILA! ♡♡♡
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Amaia C 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Study academy, above being a place to develop and improve IB grades and skills, its also an incredible place to make friends and socialize with other IB peers from around the world. The teachers are so incredibly kind and fantastic and the lessons are super engaging. The organisers of this camp take incredible care of their students throught the day with delicious food, first aid and understanding. Loved my time there! :)
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   ale alburez 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I loved to study here,so much fun and a lot of learning
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   sophie holleis 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had a very positive experience at Vienna Study Academy. The teachers are knowledgeable, patient, and always willing to help students understand the material. The staff is friendly, professional, and supportive throughout the learning process. The classes are well organized, and the environment is welcoming, making it easy to stay motivated and focused. I really appreciate the personal attention and guidance I received. I would definitely recommend Vienna Study Academy to anyone looking for a quality educational experience in Vienna.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Ana Fernandez 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Our daughter studied with the Study Academy Vienna for the past two years, and we couldn’t be happier with her IB results. Mila was an exceptional Biology tutor—dedicated, supportive, and always available. She not only helped our daughter master the subject but also develop the confidence, study habits, and exam skills needed to succeed in the IB. We always felt they worked as a true team. The IB is a challenging journey, and both Mila and the Study Academy Vienna supported our daughter every step of the way. We are very grateful and highly recommend them to any family preparing for the IB.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Beatrice Gross 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The Study Academy Vienna offers an absolutely first-class IB preparation experience. The organization is flawless, everything is thoughtfully planned, and the overall environment is both inspiring and motivating. The teachers are truly fantastic – highly professional, knowledgeable, and deeply committed to the students’ success. You immediately feel that you are in the best possible hands. A very special mention goes to Mila, who is truly the heart and soul of the Academy. Her energy, passion, and genuine care for the students are exceptional. She has an incredible ability to inspire, motivate, and bring everyone together – her positive spirit is simply contagious. What we also deeply appreciated is the strong emphasis Mila places on teamwork. Beyond academic excellence, she creates an atmosphere where students support each other and work together as a real team throughout the preparation phase. This makes a huge difference, both academically and personally. Another outstanding aspect is the opportunity to receive high-quality tutoring with excellent teachers before and after the on-site teaching phases in Vienna. This continuous support adds enormous value and makes the preparation truly comprehensive. Better IB preparation is hard to imagine. As parents, we are extremely happy and grateful that our daughter had the opportunity to be part of the Study Academy Vienna. Dear Study Academy Vienna team – you are doing a fantastic job. Thank you for everything
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   KM Shepherd 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Our son attended Study Academy Vienna before his IB exams and were blown away by the quality of care he received, especially from Mila & Alex. We are so grateful for the one to one teaching support he had in both French & Sport Science which, I am sure, will be invaluable. We also very much appreciate the efforts they went to try to find him his own room when he was feeling unwell. He arrived feeling nervous and left feeling confident having enjoyed the experience. Mila went above and beyond what we expected and it was a pleasure to speak/write/liaise with her throughout the process. Highly recommended.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Sophia OBOLENSKAYA 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had an amazing experience at Study Academy Vienna. I took both ESS and Economics courses, and I can confidently say they were incredibly helpful and well-structured. The teaching was clear, engaging, and really focused on helping students understand concepts deeply rather than just memorizing. The support I received throughout was also great, and I always felt encouraged to ask questions and improve. I would highly recommend Study Academy Vienna to anyone looking to strengthen their understanding and perform better in IB subjects!

PRE-IB Summer Courses (On-Ground)