UWC History

The first United World College, Atlantic College in Wales, opened in 1962 based on the vision and inspiration of renowned German educationalist Kurt Hahn, who also founded the Outward Bound schools and the Duke of Edinborough Award Scheme.

Hahn believed that much could be done to overcome hostility and conflict if young people from different nations, races and religions could be brought together to learn from each other.

Atlantic College played a key role in developing the International Baccalaureate curricula and diploma as part of meeting the need for an internationally recognized qualification for UWC students and UWC remains an important contributor to the IB's ongoing development.

In 1967, Lord Mountbatten became President of the international UWC organisation and championed the establishment of the second college, United World College of South East Asia and of numerous National Committees including, in 1974, the New Zealand National Committee.

Since then, under the presidencies of Prince Charles, Nelson Mandela and Queen Noor the UWC International movement has continued to grow and flourish.

For more detail on the movement's history and development, click here.

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