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International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP)

Our International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) is designed to evolve students into emerging leaders who understand that change is possible through dialogue, action and a determination to make situations better - locally, nationally and globally. 

Our teachers will work with you through this challenging study, helping you to find the courses that will challenge and inspire you. The aim is to help you to build on your skills so you can identify unseen problems in the world and take action which contributes to the flourishing of societies across the globe. 

We continue to embrace the spirit of those pioneers who not only created the College in Wales in 1962 and launched the UWC movement in 1967 but who also co-created the International Baccalaureate Diploma programme, in collaboration with the International School of Geneva (Ecolint) and UN International School in New York (UNIS).

As co-founders of the original IBDP in the 1960s, we are continuing that pioneering theme and developing a mission-aligned and project-focused curriculum for the 21st century to enable you to follow individualised programmes and develop more engaged, creative and disruptive changemaker knowledge and skills.

Students come to UWC Atlantic with a vision and graduate empowered to make a positive difference in the world.

Our Programme has two parts: the International Baccalaureate curriculum, and our Co-Curricular  programme that focuses on a lifelong commitment to service in the community, to collaborative work and social engagement and develops in young people a sense of personal initiative and the skills of leadership. You are placed into positions of trust, authentic responsibility and decision making, and through action and personal example demonstrate a commitment to making a positive difference in the world.

IB Learner Profile | PDF 1.4MB

IB Diploma Programme Logo

You’ll be following a broad and balanced curriculum which includes a minimum uptake of 6 academic subject choices (three at Higher Level and three at Standard Level); Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS); the Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay.

IB Diploma Model

Please Note: We require a minimum uptake of 6 students to offer any subject below.

 Higher LevelStandard Level
Group 1
Studies in Language and Literature

 

English Language and Literature

Spanish Literature

 

English Language and Literature

Spanish Literature

Chinese Literature

Self-taught

Group 2
Language Acquisition

English B

French B

Spanish B

English B

French B

Spanish B
 

French ab initio

Spanish ab initio

Group 3
Individuals and Societies

Economics

Geography

Global Politics

History

Social and Cultural Anthropology

Economics

Environmental Systems and Societies

Geography

Global Politics

Social and Cultural Anthropology

Group 4
Sciences

Biology

Chemistry

Physics

Biology

Chemistry

Environmental Systems and Societies

Physics

Group 5
Mathematics

Analysis and Approaches

Analysis and Approaches

Applications and Interpretation

Group 6
The Arts

Music

Visual Arts

Music 

Visual Arts

Almost all students at UWC Atlantic opt for the full IB Diploma.  This requires you to study six subjects and a curriculum core concurrently over your two-year stay. The full Diploma is a prescriptive structure but students also have the option to pursue individual subject certificates if the full Diploma does not meet their individual needs.  For example if you’re passionate about the arts you may opt for two or three group six subjects and this combination is not possible in the full IB Diploma. If this is the case, you will graduate with IB Course Certificates. We will always consider each individual’s aspirations and passions in making course selections.

You’ll be developing independent research skills with an in-depth study of a question relating to one of your IBDP subjects. The World Studies extended essay option allows you to focus on a topic of global significance, which you examine through the lens of at least two IBDP subjects. This research essay is 4,000 words and there is an additional 500 word reflection.

Theory of Knowledge (TOK)  develops a coherent approach to learning that unifies the academic disciplines. In this course on critical thinking, students inquire into the nature of knowing and deepen their understanding of knowledge as a human construction.

CAS is an important aspect of the IBDP. It stands for Creativity, Activity and Service. It gets you involved in a range of activities alongside your academic studies throughout the IBDP. Creativity encourages you to engage in the arts and creative thinking. Activity seeks to develop a healthy lifestyle through physical activity. Service with the community offers a vehicle for new learning with academic value. The three strands of CAS enhance your personal and interpersonal development through experiential learning and enable journeys of self-discovery. UWC Atlantic prides itself in offering a wide range of services and activities going way beyond what is required for the IB. Therefore we prefer to talk about our Co-Curricular Programme rather than CAS.  To find out more click here.

IB subjects are graded on a scale of 1-7; 1 being the lowest and 7 the highest. 4 is a satisfactory pass. A minimum score of 24 points overall is required for the IB Diploma. In addition there are a number of passing and failing conditions, such as lower grades in one or two subjects being compensated for by higher grades in others at the same level. A maximum score of 45 is achieved by an extra 3 points for Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay.