Founding college of UWC global mission to make education a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future
Meet The
Changemakers
UWC Atlantic inspires students to bring about positive change
An Education
Like No Other
UWC Atlantic 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 leadership.
A force for good
In the World
UWC Atlantic is one of 18 different colleges across the globe to deliver a challenging and transformational education to over 9,500 students each year. They are set in 18 countries on 4 continents.


UWC Atlantic
Vale of Glamorgan, Wales
- 350
- est:1962
UWC Red Cross Nordic
Flekke, Norway
- 205
- est:1995
UWC Maastricht
Maastricht, The Netherlands
- 915
- est:1995
UWC Robert Bosch College
Freiburg, Germany
- 200
- est:2014
UWC Adriatic
Duino, Italy
- 182
- est:1982
UWC Mostar
Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- 200
- est:2006
UWC Dilijan
Dilijan, Armenia
- 219
- est:2014
UWC East Africa
Moshi and Arusha, Tanzania
- 500
- est:1969
Waterford Kamhlaba UWC of Southern Africa
Mbabane, Eswatini
- 600
- est:1963
UWC Mahindra College
Pune, India
- 240
- est:1997
UWC ISAK Japan
Karuizawa, Japan
- 175
- est:2014
UWC South East Asia
Singapore
- 5,500
- est:1971
UWC Thailand
Phuket, Thailand
- 460
- est:2008
UWC Changshu China
Changshu, China
- 443
- est:2015
Li Po Chun UWC of Hong Kong
Hong Kong S.A.R., China
- 256
- est:1992
UWC Pearson College
Victoria, Canada
- 200
- est:1974
UWC USA
Montezuma, New Mexico
- 235
- est:1982
UWC Costa Rica
Santa Ana Downtown, Costa Rica
- 175
- est:2006
Pioneering Change
Since 1962
UWC Atlantic inspires students to become Changemakers through lifelong commitment to service in the community, collaborative work and social engagement that develops in young people a sense of personal initiative.
St Donat's Castle
UWC Atlantic is based in St Donat's Castle, a 12th century castle set in 122 acres of woodland and farmland, with its own valley and seafront. It became home to the American newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst in 1925 after he saw a feature on it in the magazine, Country Life.
View MoreDr Kurt Hahn
The concept of Atlantic College is born during a lecture visit by Dr Kurt Hahn, a key figure in the development of experiential education, to the NATO Defense College in Paris in 1955, where he meets British Commandant Air Marshal Sir Lawrance Darvall.
View MoreAntonin Besse
Antonin Besse, who had bought St Donat’s Castle from Hearst, donates it to the developing governing body of Atlantic College.
View MoreAtlantic College Opens
Atlantic College opens. Start of the original Inshore Lifeboats Service. Rear Admiral Desmond Hoare becomes the founding Principal.
View MoreThe International Baccalaureate
Atlantic College works with the Geneva International School and the United Nations School in New York to develop the International Baccalaureate.
View MoreThe Rigid Inflatable Lifeboat
The Rigid Inflatable Lifeboat (RIB) is patented in Desmond Hoare’s name and the patent is sold to the RNLI for the nominal sum of £1. The cheque is never cashed.
View MoreColin Jenkins
Colin Jenkins, a giant in the UWC movement, becomes Principal and serves the College for ten years. He had joined the College seventeen years earlier.
View MoreNelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela becomes joint President of the UWC International Council with HRH Queen Noor of Jordan. Mandela later becomes Honorary President
View More50 Year Anniversary
On 19 September 2012 students, staff and alumni of UWC Atlantic College start their celebrations for its 50 year anniversary
View MoreHRH Queen Elizabeth Visits
The College welcomes HRH Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh for a Royal visit.
View MoreAgatha Christie Library
Mathew Prichard, grandson of the legendary murder mystery writer Agatha Christie, opens the newly refurbished library, which bears his grandmother’s name.
View MoreMoondance Sports Hall
The Moondance Sports Hall opens, thanks to a generous donation from the Moondance Foundation. The College Leadership team and Chair of the Board of Trustees, Prof. Jonathan Michie, are joined by Paralympian, Pippa Britton and philanthropist, Diane Briere de l’Isle.
View MoreOur Vision
The College creates the framework for its new Vision to Action strategy to “reclaim our position as the flagship College of the UWC movement, recognised for the radical and experimental spirit that defines our history and drives our impact on the world”
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