UWC of the Atlantic, United Kingdom

Founded 1962  Student Profile 330 students aged 16–19
Location: Vale of Glamorgan, Wales

 

“Life at the College is invigorating and inspiring. The challenge of change remains integral to our existence. Teachers continue to encourage students, and students their teachers, to go beyond boundaries and to embrace new and different possibilities. The place is improbable, compelling, enchanting, demanding and full of fun and friendship.”
Malcolm McKenzie, Principal of Atlantic College, 2001-2007 

Founded in 1962, Atlantic College was the first United World College as well as the first international sixth form college in the UK. It is located in South Wales, near Cardiff, in the idyllic grounds of the 12th century St Donat's Castle.

Four decades on, Atlantic College aims to be at the cutting edge in its vision and spirit and remains fully committed to the principle of promoting international understanding through experiential education and community service to others. All students are selected on academic and personal merit and most are funded on financial aid: over 70 per cent of the fees are paid from sources other than the families of students.

 

The College was influential in the creation of the International Baccalaureate and continues to be actively involved in its development. In addition to pursuing the IB, students enjoy extensive extracurricular activities, lectures and debates that help to develop lively, critical and informed minds. Weekly concerts, national evenings and visiting speakers enrich the experience, and activities reflecting the diverse cultures represented at the College and international concerns are always popular. The College also offers dynamic and progressive programmes in fine arts, music and theatre arts.

 

Service is integral to the ethos of Atlantic College and a diverse and, in some instances, unique range of services is offered. Students can join the Rescue Services as a member of either the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), Her Majesty’s Coastguards or Lifeguards. The College hosts an RNLI station, and the Atlantic rigid hull lifeboat design was developed at the College. Many students work in the College's Extramural Centre (EMC), which offers rigorous outdoor activities and skills-building assistance to some 3,000 disadvantaged or disabled visitors throughout the year. Some students also stay on to act as EMC instructors during the summer period. The Community Education Partnership provides students with the opportunity to visit local schools and assist with the delivery of the curriculum and broader international cultural exchanges. The St Donat's Arts Centre, a community arts project on campus, offers further service opportunities.

 

St Donat's Castle houses several classrooms, the dining hall and a library collection of more than 25,000 volumes in a variety of languages. Also on campus are well-equipped science laboratories, computer facilities, music practice rooms and a student social centre.

 

For over 40 years, Atlantic College's commitment to academic excellence, community service and experiential learning has created a strong network of individuals who return to their communities with an increased sense of tolerance and understanding, which they use to help make a difference.