ProsPectus

‘We continue to be delighted with the students who come to Yale from UWC Atlantic College. It’s always exciting for me to meet them because I know they come to Yale with open minds, ready and willing to explore the university as much as possible.’ Rebekah Westphal, Director of International Admissions - Yale College

‘UWC Atlantic College students are innate entrepreneurs, possess an international mindset, and have a spirit of service and responsibility. They are ambassadors of the UWC mission and values.’

Stephanie Reina, Associate Director of Business Development at IE Business School

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OUR VISION

UWC Atlantic College opened in 1962 at

the 12th Century St Donat’s Castle and is

the founding college of a global education

movement – UWC. The college was designed

to provide a platform for young individuals

to learn through shared experience and be

empowered to make a positive difference.

This remains our vision today.

From 2015 there will be 15 UWC schools and colleges

worldwide, each one unique, but all united in their mission

and ideals.

Being part of the UWC movement and a UWC college

means that we share common aims. These are to:

• Produce alumni each year who, through their own action

and personal example, can become leaders in their

communities and demonstrate their commitment to

making a positive difference in the world.

• Become recognised internationally for its distinctive

model of education.

• Provide an example for other schools, educational

organisations and governments which recognise the

role of education as a force for peace and a sustainable

future.

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OUR PHILOSOPHY

We deliver our mission by being committed to:

Global citizenship – we bring together a dynamic

community of young people from truly diverse backgrounds

to facilitate intercultural engagement and motivate students

to create a more peaceful world. An established bursary

programme and students from over 90 countries at any one

time make the college a nexus for interaction and learning

from a range of cultures, backgrounds, nationalities, religions

and races.

Environmental responsibility – we take a challenging

and interactive approach to learning that inspires and

equips students to work towards a more sustainable

future. Projects, activities and the educational programme

support learning, understanding and action in the field of

environmental responsibility and awareness.

Lifelong service – the vast range of opportunities and

projects we make available to our students prepares them

to be leaders within their own communities and live the

college’s mission throughout their lives. The community

activity opportunities are widespread, with something to

suit each individual.

Transformative education – we pride ourselves on our

pioneering and distinctive educational model; the way

students learn, interact with one another and take part

in community activities presents life-changing tests and

personal discovery, which mark the beginning of a lifelong

journey.

Bursaries on merit – the true diversity of the student body

depends on our ability to reach out across the globe to attract

and encourage new students from vastly differing environments.

To do this we fundraise so that the college aspires to provide full

or partial bursaries to those students who have been selected on

merit and potential, and demonstrate a need for financial support.

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OUR VALUES

Our values, and those of the UWC movement

as a whole, are what make our educational

model unique and truly inspiring. These

values form the foundation of our passionate

approach to providing young people with a

challenging and transformational learning

experience. We encourage all members of our

community to hold true to these values:

Action and personal example

• acting on your beliefs and leading by example

A sense of idealism

• believing that you can make a difference

Celebration of difference

• valuing differences and seeing them as a strength in our community

Compassion and service

• demonstrating a compassionate and truly committed approach to your community and service

International and intercultural engagement

• our community should be free from any form of prejudice

Mutual responsibility and respect

• creating a supportive and respectful environment

Personal challenge

• learning through interactions and challenging ourselves

Personal responsibility and integrity

• behaving with integrity and being accountable for your own actions.

THE CURRICULUM AT UWC ATLANTIC COLLEGE

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THE ATLANTIC DIPLOMA

This two-year course has two parts:

the International Baccalaureate

16-19 academic curriculum, and a

parallel co-curricular programme of

experiential learning that focuses on

key aspects of peace, social justice

and a sustainable future.

Students are required to follow a broad and balanced

curriculum across eleven faculties. Seven faculties

provide the disciplinary framework for the International

Baccalaureate. Students choose six academic subjects,

three at Higher and three at Standard Level, plus a

seventh, Theory of Knowledge, which helps build

interdisciplinary links in the students’ minds. A further

four faculties are experiential in nature and offer in-

depth understanding and a practical engagement with

the college’s vision and values. The four experiential

faculties are: Outdoor, Social Justice, Global and

Environmental.

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The Atlantic Diploma is inter-disciplinary in nature. Issues

raised through academic study in the classroom are developed

in a broader light through community involvement and real

world engagement. Students serve in the community, organise

conferences, run Diploma Periods and help in the delivery of

faculty programmes.

Students follow a development plan which is individually tailored

to their own interests and aspirations. The plan is constructed

by the student in collaboration with their tutor. The curriculum,

calendar and timetable at the college are designed to enable

students to follow an individual path within the structure of

the curriculum so that they engage with all aspects of the UWC

mission. In addition students are expected to show creativity and

initiative in progressing their own programme either during the

summer vacation between year one and two or during project

week, in Diploma Periods and in their own student initiated

activities.

Academic qualifications are determined independently according

to the rules of the International Baccalaureate Organization.

However successful completion of the Atlantic Diploma is a

result both of suitable achievement levels in the IB and individual

accomplishments in the experiential faculties.

Atlantic Diploma Summary

Atlantic Diploma

The International Co-curricular programme Baccalaureate (IB) Four experiential faculties 16 -19 year olds. offer in-depth understanding Seven faculties and practical engagement provide the disciplinary with the college’s framework for the IB vision and values

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The IB provides a challenging, internationally focused educational experience for students aged

16-19. The significant majority of students at UWC Atlantic College opt for the full IB Diploma. This

requires students to study six subjects and a curriculum core concurrently over their two year stay.

The full Diploma is a prescriptive structure and students also

have the option to pursue individual subject Certificates, if the

full Diploma does not meet their individual needs. For example,

a student who is passionate about the arts may opt for two or

three in group six subjects which is not possible in the full IB

Diploma. The college will consider each individual’s aspirations

and passions in making course selections.

The programme is academically challenging and students are

expected to strive for academic excellence. The IB mission

mirrors that of the college. This is not surprising given the fact

that the college was one of the first schools in the world to offer

the IB and was involved in its development. The IB Diploma is

designed to qualify students for global university entry and is the

most recognised pre-university qualification worldwide.

THE INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE [IB] 16-19 CURRICULUM

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Subject Choices

1 - Student’s best Language Taught: English Literature, English Language and Literature, French, German, Norwegian and SpanishSelf Taught: the opportunity exists for students to study a range of mother tongue languages as a self-taught option2 - Second Language English, French, German, Spanish, Arabic and Mandarin

3 - Individuals and SocietiesEconomics, Geography, Global Politics, History, Social and Cultural Anthropology, Environmental Systems and Societies and World Religions

4 - Experimental SciencesBiology, Chemistry, Design Technology, Physics, Environmental Systems and Societies, Sports Exercise and Health Science

5 - MathematicsHigher Level, Further Level, Standard Level, Mathematics and Mathematical Studies

6 - Arts and Electives Music and Visual Arts.

Subject choice availability may be modified by the college.

Core Requirements

Theory of knowledge is an integral and compulsory part

of the IB Diploma. It is taught as a standard level subject

to all students throughout terms 2 and 3. The course is

designed to encourage each student to reflect on the

nature of knowledge by critically examining different ways

of knowing (such as perception, emotion, language and

reason) and different kinds of knowledge (scientific, artistic,

mathematical and historical).

The extended essay is a requirement for students to engage

in independent research through an in-depth study of a

question of their choice relating to one of the subjects they

are studying.

Creativity, action, service (CAS) requires that students

actively learn from the experience of doing real tasks

beyond the classroom.

Students have to complete a course in Theory of Knowledge,

the Extended Essay and the Creativity Action Service

programme which is embraced within the experiential part

of the Atlantic Diploma.

CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMMME

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THE ExPERIENTIAL FACULTIES

The structure of the experiential faculties allows students to

engage in a programme of discovery, to determine their own

pathways through it, confront risk and overcome the possibility

of failure in order to know their own strengths and fallibilities.

Students work together and learn to trust each other, whether

in caring for the aged or the disabled, or training to be volunteer

RNLI lifeguards. Dr Kurt Hahn believed that each person should

be allowed to identify their own grand passion. The Atlantic

Diploma allows young people to create individual pathways

across both parts of the Diploma.

Each part of the programme has its own challenges. The faculties

are: Outdoor, Social Justice, Global and Environmental.

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Outdoor

The aim of the Outdoor Faculty is to promote a sense of trust and

co-operation in the skills of collaboration and leadership through

adventure and challenge.

Social Justice

The aim of the Social Justice Faculty is to develop in young people

a wish to make a real and lasting difference to the lives of others

and to do so with a sense of empathy for the disadvantaged and a

respect for human rights and personal dignity.

Global

The aim of the Global Faculty is to involve young people in a

critical engagement with intercultural issues and actively promote

a global ethos and linguistic and cultural diversity through

local and international links and events. Peace studies and the

management of conflict will be a crucial feature of the work of

the faculty.

Environmental

The aim of the Environmental Faculty is to develop models of

sustainability and inspire in young people an active commitment

to the welfare and development of the environment.

Each has two areas: primary delivery and secondary delivery.

Primary delivery contains the community engagement

programme and secondary delivery contains four defining features

which are activities, student initiatives, Diploma Periods and

project week.

Students over two years specialise in one area of primary delivery

and engage with a broader understanding of the UWC mission

through the secondary delivery of the other faculties in order to

engage with community issues to gain a realistic understanding of

the UWC mission in the world.

Each faculty aspires to be a centre of excellence. Its learning

programmes and skill sets are built upon best practice. Visiting

fellows and speakers, outside expertise and contributors, are

central to the learning process. The faculties collaborate with

organisations outside the college to create a network of like-

minded organisations.

Students will experience a core training programme in each

faculty and then specialise later in the first year.

OUR LIVING ENVIRONMENT

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Newport

Cardiff

Swansea

Aberystwyth

Glouceter

Swindon

Bristol

Exeter

Coventry

Reading London

Birmingham

Weston-Super-Mare

Haverfordwest

Barnstaple

Southampton

The college campus

St Donat’s Castle estate has some 60 hectares, 20 of which

are woodland, 20 of which comprise the college farm and a

further 20 in gardens and amenity areas.

The castle itself accommodates the dining hall, a fine library,

the Bradenstoke Hall, which is used for assemblies and concerts,

the history and economics departments and study areas.

Close by are historic, renovated buildings that house the

music and art departments, and purpose-built classroom

buildings for mathematics, languages and the sciences.

The social centre

One large building comprises the social centre that offers

a variety of facilities such as a bookshop, café, television

viewing room, physical conditioning room and a social

gathering/event area.

The seafront

This is where the Atlantic Outdoor Centre is based. There

are restored 16th Century buildings for use as classrooms,

accommodation and workshops and an indoor and an

outdoor swimming pool.

From here you can access the pebble beach and take in the

stunning coastal views.

St Donat’s Arts Centre

The 14th Century Tythe Barn has been converted into a

theatre; this provides a lively programme of arts, concerts,

events and exhibitions for the college community and the

general public.

Location

St Donat’s Castle is located in a small picturesque

country village, St Donat’s, on the coast of the Vale of

Glamorgan in South Wales. It is very close to the small

town of Llantwit Major, which is home to a number

of local amenities including shops, supermarkets,

restaurants, leisure facilities and an excellent beach for

water sports.

The large town of Bridgend and Wales’ capital city,

Cardiff, are in fairly close proximity, meaning that the

college is located within easy access of many major

transport links including bus, rail and air travel.

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Accommodation

The student community is divided across seven

purpose-built boarding houses. Each house accommodates

approximately 48 students with separate male and female

corridors. In general, four students from the same year group,

each of different nationality, share a room. The facilities are

relatively simple and students share communal showers and

bathrooms. Each house has a day room with a small kitchen,

study rooms and drying rooms. The accommodation of the

Houseparents is attached to their respective houses.

Personal care

Academic and personal supervision

All students are under the care of Houseparents. In addition,

each student has a Personal Tutor who gives individual guidance

on academic and personal matters. Support is also provided by

fellow students trained to be confidential peer listeners and by

a dedicated professional Student Counsellor. An Academic Co-

ordinators’ Office provides advice and support on all academic

matters, including university applications.

Spiritual life

The large variety of faiths within the college provides

opportunities to experience cultural differences first hand.

The college receives regular visits from representatives of

a range of faiths and religious festivals and holy days are

observed. St Donat’s Church on the castle estate is the local

parish church and the college supports members of other

faiths who wish to take part in formal acts of worship.

Medical care

The college doctors and the two full-time residential nursing

sisters are responsible for students’ health. The doctors hold

surgeries in the college two times a week.

Diet

Students are provided with three meals per day in the college

Dining Hall. Special dietary requirements such as lactose-free

and gluten-free are catered for. Halal meat is also provided.

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There are over 7000 UWC Atlantic College alumni, from over 100 countries who have benefited from the unique model of education and approach to learning offered at the college. Many continue to use their world-class education as a force for positive change and to inspire others.

You could follow in their footsteps…

AdmissionsStudents wishing to study at UWC Atlantic College will normally be aged between 15 and 17 years old at the application stage and have already completed 10 or 11 years of formal education. Students are normally 16 or 17 when they start at the college. The teaching language is English but a proven level of English is not necessary for students from within the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland. As a condition for granting a UK Study Visa to students from outside the EEA, however, it will be necessary to demonstrate a certain minimum standard in English.

UWC Atlantic College operates a policy of selection and admission on merit and aspires to provide financial support on a needs basis. For more information on admissions and visa requirements please visit www.atlanticcollege.org/admissions-1/

ApplyThere are two ways for you, as a prospective student, to apply:

• Through the UWC National Committee in your home country to attend one of the UWC colleges (including UWC Atlantic College).

• Directly to UWC Atlantic College via the UWC’s International Quota (IQ) guidelines, if you do not meet the National Committee criteria.

For more detailed information on admissions and to find out how you should apply please visit www.atlanticcollege.org/apply/

Your Future

University entry - The majority of UWC Atlantic College alumni are offered their first choice place to continue their international education at higher education institutions throughout the world. Our students regularly accept places at Oxford, Harvard, Yale, Brown and many other leading and well-regarded universities throughout the world.

Gap year opportunities - The college provides students with a range of exciting and enriching gap year opportunities and projects that allow students to continue living the mission to influence positive change.

Alumni - Find out more about what our alumni go on to do and how their lives have been shaped by the UWC Atlantic College ideals and experience by visiting www.atlanticcollege.org

‘They embrace the entire world across all divides of race, history, culture, wealth, religion, economic status and political belief: they are unique and they are conscious of their responsibilities.’

Past President Nelson Mandela talking about UWC schools and colleges

‘Each UWC graduate is a potential architect for peace.’ Queen Noor of Jordan, UWC President

UWC Atlantic College

St Donat’s Castle

St Donat’s

LLANTWIT MAJOR

CF61 1WF

UK

Tel: +44 (0) 1446 799000

Email: principal@atlanticcollege.org

Website: www.atlanticcollege.org

United World College of the Atlantic Ltd

Registered in England No. 673076

Charity No. 525761