UWC South East Asia (UWC SEA) became a full member of the UWC movement in 1975. In 1998, the college expanded to include a younger years programme accepting students from 4 years old to become a K-12 school. In 2011, a second campus opened, making UWC SEA the largest of the UWC colleges, with students from more than 100 countries and more than 90 languages spoken. UWC SEA offers a K-12 holistic and concept-based curriculum. The International Baccalaureate (IB) is offered in Grades 11-12, and applications are open for day students and residential boarding from Grade 8.
Three Unique Features
Diversity: Students are selected based on deliberate diversity, including factors such as culture and life experiences. The UWC SEA Learning Programme provides an ideal platform for the development of intercultural and interpersonal understanding that contributes to a sense of belonging for all in the community.
Vibrant Location: Situated in the city-state of Singapore, UWC SEA leverages its central location as a global hub in Asia. Students benefit from meaningful local community connections woven into their learning experiences. Students also have the opportunity to travel to neighbouring countries throughout Asia as part of the Outdoor Education programme (OED).
K-12 concept-based curriculum: The holistic learning programme consists of five interlinking elements: academics, activities, outdoor education, personal and social education and service. The bespoke curriculum from K1 to Grade 12 leads learners through interdisciplinary and project-based learning in preparation for the IBDP.
Our students follow the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), which is made up of three core components and six subject groups. with an average class size of 13 students.
Core components
Theory of Knowledge: Students reflect on the nature of knowledge and on how we claim what we know.
The Extended Essay: An independent, self-directed piece of research finishing with a 4,000-word paper.
Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS): Students take part in a range of experiences and at least one project.
Subjects
Language A (first language): English Language and Literature; English Literature; Chinese Language and Literature; Dutch Language and Literature*; French Language and Literature; German Language and Literature*; Hindi Literature; Japanese Literature; Korean Literature*; Spanish Language and Literature and School Supported Language
Language B (acquisition): English; Chinese; French; German*; Japanese*; Spanish; or French ab initio; Mandarin ab initio; Spanish ab initio
Individuals and Societies: Business Management; Economics; Geography; Global Politics; History; Philosophy; Psychology
Sciences: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Systems & Societies
Mathematics: Maths – Analysis and Approaches, Maths – Applications and Interpretation
The Arts: Visual Arts, Theatre, Dance, Film, Music
* subject is offered at Dover Campus only
Systems Transformation Pathway
IB Systems Transformation: Leadership for Change is an innovative new course, carefully designed by passionate and experienced educators in partnership with the IB. It is for students looking for further challenges and authentic, project-based experiences in their learning journey. This course will also help shift the IB Diploma worldwide towards a more flexible model with more real-world learning, more authentic assessment and greater student agency.
The Systems Transformation Pathway focuses on three areas:
Sustainability
Intercultural understanding
Peacebuilding
Through project-based learning, students explore how to connect and lead others; how to understand and navigate complex systems; and how to be resilient and adaptable in the face of challenges and failures. There are five distinct areas in which skills and capabilities will be taught and assessed in this course. These are: Project and Change Management; Leadership; Systems Thinking; Design Thinking; and Changemaker Mindsets.
The IB Systems Transformation: Leadership for Change is assessed entirely by coursework, balanced over the two years of the programme.
Co-curricular
All IBDP students at UWC complete a co-curricular programme called Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) – an integral part of the IB qualification. Students get the opportunity to choose a physical, a creative and a social service activity.
Students are involved in CAS for the whole of their IB Diploma and ideally spend 3-4 hours a week engaged in an extracurricular pursuit. Many experiences involve a benefit to the community and encourage students to consider global issues and the ethical outcomes of their participation.
Physical activities
Badminton
Basketball
Climbing
Cricket
Cross Country
Football
Golf
Gymnastics
Hockey
Netball
Rugby
Sailing
Softball
Swimming
Tennis
Touch Rugby
Track and Field
Ultimate Frisbee
Volleyball
Creative activities
Drama Productions
Instrumental Teaching Programme
Ensembles
Choirs
Various Clubs
Student-led publicationsDance
Alumni Council
Ambassadors
Global Concerns Executives
Initiative for Peace
Model United Nations
National Youth Achievement Award
Round Square Committees
Sports Councils
Student Councils
Social service
Elderly care
Persons with disabilities
Learning Support
Programmes for disadvantaged children
Foreign domestic workers
Adults in long-term hospice care
Global Concerns
Initiative for Peace
Model United Nations
National Youth Achievement Award
Round Square Committees
Sports Councils
Student Councils
Student-led publications
Green Campus initiatives
UWCSEA campuses offer exceptional facilities suited to the hands-on and technologically integrated learning programme. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology and tools, both campuses provide an environment to support all five elements of our learning programme.
Playgrounds (age-appropriate)
Theatres
Music rooms
Multimedia and recording studios
Libraries
Community Lab (East) and Ideas Hub (Dover)
Olympic-sized outdoor swimming pools
Infant swimming pools
Gymnasiums
Climbing walls
Ropes courses
Football pitches
Basketball courts
Tennis courts
Dance studios
Arts centres
Wellness centres
Medical centres and sick bays
Residential Boarding Houses
Canteens and cafes
Garden facilities
PA lounges
Residential accommodation:
Dover Campus has a capacity for 185 students in its two residential houses. East Campus (Tampines House) has a capacity for 155 students in a single residence. The gender split (50/50) across both campuses is maintained wherever possible, and approximately 70% of the students are in their IB Diploma years. Dover residents are in rooms of four with a shared ensuite bathroom. East residents in Grades 8-9 are in rooms of four, Grades 10-11 are in rooms of two, and Grade 12 residents have a single room with a sink. Shared, single-gender bathroom facilities are located at opposite ends of Tampines House.
Medical provisions
Medical clinic with a General Practitioner and registered nurses.
College sick bays staffed by registered nurses.
House Parents (parents providing residential support to students) and registered nurses are available to help students with follow-up medical appointments.
Hospitals located nearby for emergencies.
Academic and emotional well-being
The school supports students’ academic and emotional well-being through:
Wellness and Counselling Centre on both campuses
Students placed in a mentor group of 16 students under the care of a teacher-mentor
Houseparents provide support for residential boarders
You can apply through your UWC national committee (NC) or through the UWC Global Selection Programme. Direct applications are also possible. For more information about UWC South East Asia, visit the website.
