UWC Atlantic University Guidance

UNIVERSITY GUIDANCE 2026 - 2028 An IB World School

WELCOME

Dear Student, A very warm welcome to UWC Atlantic. We are your University and Careers Guidance team and its our role to support you as you plan your future career steps.

The majority of our students apply to universities for further studies after UWC Atlantic. Some students take a gap year to further follow the UWC mission, gain professional experience or to fulfil military service, before they apply to universities or seek other career pathways that suit them.

The University and Careers Guidance counsellors will meet with all students individually several times during their two years at UWC Atlantic to discuss their personal aspirations and the respective application processes.

UWC Atlantic has excellent relationships with many higher education institutions with over 100 universities and colleges from around the world visiting the school each year. Students are encouraged to meet with the university representatives personally and get relevant information first hand. In addition, information and workshops about various destinations and application processes, scholarships and financial aid are also made available to students so they can make informed and sensible decisions about their future.

Students and parents are encouraged to reach out to the University Guidance team with any enquiries or questions they might have about life after UWC Atlantic.

University Guidance department email: universityguidance@uwcatlantic.org

Francine Mohammed Head of University & Guidance Counselling Francine.Mohammed@uwcatlantic.org +44 (0)1446 799006

Vicki Kuether University & Guidance Counsellor vicki.kuether@uwcatlantic.org +44 (0)1446 799067

Sam Hollis University & Guidance Counsellor Sam.Hollis@uwcatlantic.org +44 (0)1446 799179

University Applications & Expenses UWC Atlantic does not cover the cost of students’ university applications, nor their attendance at university interviews. Applicants are also responsible for the cost of any additional standardised testing such as SAT/ACT for the US, UK university course specific entrance tests (LNAT, UCAT, TMUA etc.), global universities required testing and English Proficiency qualifications (IELTS, TOEFL, DET).

The college is a SAT test centre and support materials are available in the library, the university guidance room and online, but we do not provide tutorials for SAT or other entrance or language tests.

Some students may qualify for the fee waivers for certain application fees or examinations depending on their scholarship and financial need; they are encouraged to speak to their counsellors for more information.

Students are permitted to apply to a maximum of 10 institutions worldwide. As an example, the required tests and applications to 6 US, 2 UK and 2 Canadian universities can cost over £700, although the US universities can waive the application fees in certain circumstances of demonstrated financial need.

Students must pay the costs of testing and online applications with a credit card. Please note that a debit card is not accepted by the College Board for SAT testing and CSS profile required for accessing financial aid at US universities/colleges.

Additional costs may be incurred during the fourth term in connection with legalisation of the IB Diploma. The cost for this legalisation in 2026 is £106.

Students from Mexico and Egypt usually pay double this amount as some universities need both the Diploma itself in addition to the Diploma Programme Course Results documents to be legalised.

At present, there are 12 countries on the list and that changes from year to year. Payment will be required at the time of registration for legalisation of the IB Diploma, which takes place in March of the second year of study.

Students can attain scholarships and need-based financial aid at US universities/colleges which will cover the majority of the total costs. However, it will be the responsibility of the student to cover the necessary visa and flight costs.

University Requirements This matrix contains general guidelines that are a starting point, but requirements for specific programmes can change.

There is a wide variety of countries for study at the tertiary level and subjects not listed here that can be studied at this level, many of which have no specific IBDP prerequisites. However, some programmes do have IB Diploma prerequisites in order to apply, and because entry requirements can vary and change, this information cannot be taken as definitive and is a guideline only. It is essential that students conduct their own research to ensure their IB subject combination meets their needs.

Students in the Systems Transformation Pathway can graduate with a full IB Diploma (up to 45 points). Our students apply to many global institutions and their university entrance requirements can be met through the student's choice of subjects for the three higher level IB subjects and one standard-level IB subject ,along with the Systems Transformation Pathway components. Students pursuing the Systems Transformation Pathway will receive specific guidance at the point of confirming their IB subjects to make sure their preferred university options will be available to them upon graduation.

Course

United Kingdom

Canada

USA

Architecture

Some courses require HL Mathematics; HL Physics: Visual Arts and a portfolio.

Some courses require HL or SL Mathematics; may require Chemistry and Physics at HL or SL.

Some prefer HL Mathematics; HL Science and Visual Arts and/or portfolio for B. Arch.

Art & Design /Performing Arts

Portfolio/audition usually required; relevant IB subjects recommended.

Portfolio/audition usually required; relevant IB subjects recommended.

Portfolio/audition usually required; relevant IB subjects recommended.

Buisness/ Commerce

SL Mathematics AI may not meet the requirement.

Preference is HL Mathematics AI/AA or SL Mathematics AA.

Requires HL Mathematics AI or SL/HL Mathematics AA. SL Mathematics AI will not meet the requirements.

No specific prerequisites; IB Economics not required.

Economics

Most require HL Mathematics (AI/AA).

Requires HL Mathematics AI or SL/HL Mathematics AA. SL Mathematics AI will not meet the requirements.

No specific prerequisites; IB Economics not required; preference for HL Mathematics AA/AI

Engineering

Most require HL Mathematics(AI/AA) and HL Physics.

Usually require HL Chemistry, HL Mathematics AI or AA and HL Physics. SL Mathematics AI will not meet the requirement

Recommend HL Mathematics and one or more HL science, usually HL Physics for competitive colleges.

Humanities/Social Sciences (BA)

Usually requires relevant subject at HL if offered in IB (e.g. History to study History)

No specific IB requirements.

No specific IB requirements

University Requirements Course

United Kingdom

Social Sciences (BSc)

Usually requires relevant subject at HL if offered in IB. An essay-based subject required.

SL Mathematics AI will not meet the requirements.

No specific IB requirements.

Sciences

Most require one or two HL science(s) with Mathematics considered as one of the science subjects.

May require two sciences with HL Mathematics AI, or SL/HL Mathematics AA. SL Mathematics AI will not meet the requirements.

Recommend one or more HL science and HL or SL Mathematics.

English Literature

Recommend HL English A.

Recommend HL English A.

Recommend HL English A

Law

May require HL English as a Group 1 subject; essaybased subjects recommended (e.g. History, Politics)

Not available as an undergraduate option.

Not available as an undergraduate option.

Medicine**

Require HL Biology and Chemistry.

Not available as an undergraduate option

Not available as an undergraduate option.

Psychology

May require SL Mathematics AA; may require one HL science.

Sources

www.ucas.com

Canada

BSc may require two sciences and HL Mathematics AI, or SL/HL Mathematics AA. SL Mathematics AI will not meet the requirements.

www.studyincanada.com

USA

No specific IB requirements

bigfuture.collegeboard.org

**Some medical programs require students to study 3 sciences, which is not an option in the IB Diploma program at UWC Atlantic and students will need to consider alternative ways to fulfil the requirements. Please note studying medicine in a foreign country is extremely difficult as there is a preference for their own nationals as they expect the students to be able to speak the language and work in the country after graduation. Scholarships for medical programs are rare and the fees are very expensive. If a student is considering medicine, they are strongly encouraged to study in their home country.

Country Requirements Some countries have specific university criteria, and we have included two of the countries below that some of our students will apply to. Certain universities and programmes might also have additional requirements. For all other countries IB recognition please visit: http://www.ibo.org/university-admission/recognition-of-the-ib-diploma-by-countries-and-universities/countryrecognition-statements/

The Netherlands: Most Bachelor of Science (BSc) courses require HL/SL Mathematics AA. Medicine requires 3 sciences in the IB. This is not an option in the IB Diploma programme at UWC Atlantic.

Students will need to apply with one “deficiency” or take an extra approved science test prior to applying.

Some of the Dutch higher education institutions are now accepting Mathematics AI Standard Level for some of their courses. Universities in the Netherlands are autonomous and admission requirements may vary from institution to institution.

Students can find out more - http://www.boswellbeta.nl/en/general_info

Germany: There are specific IB requirements for direct entry to German universities. These are: Students must take either 2 Language A OR 1 Language A and 1 Language B. Language A must be the student’s native language. If a student is German, student is expected to take SL Language A Self Taught German 1 Natural Science. Natural Sciences refers to Biology, Chemistry or Physics only Mathematics: Students can elect to take either HL Mathematics AI or AA. SL Mathematics AA/AI is accepted for certain courses.

1 social science (History, Geography, Economics, Cultural and Social Anthropology, Global Politics) A 6th subject can be Visual Arts, Music, Environmental Systems and Societies or another language (ab initio only as 3rd language), another science or social science listed above.

At least one of the three “International Baccalaureate Diploma subjects taken at Higher Level, must be a language subject, Mathematics, or a natural science subject.

All courses have to be taken continuously and cannot be changed.

Student will need to score a 4 and higher for all 6 subjects STP is not a recognised IB subject in Germany https://www.daad.de/en/study-and-research-ingermany/plan-your-studies/recognition-ib-diploma/ https://www.kmk.org/fileadmin/pdf/ZAB/Hochschulz ugang_Beschluesse_der_KMK/1986_03_10-VBBaccalaureate-Dipl-engl.pdf

English language requirements: Generally speaking, it is not required to have English as a subject within the IB. However, it is highly recommended.

Many universities will require proof of English proficiency (if taught in English) which can often can be demonstrated by a good grade in English A in the IB Diploma, or a TOEFL or IELTS or Duolingo English Test (DET) test score.

It is important to check with each university or programme to find out how the student can meet the language proficiency requirement.

University Destinations 98% of our students apply to universities for further their studies after UWC Atlantic. Some students take a gap year to further follow the UWC mission, gain professional experience or to complete military service in their home countries. In terms of applications, it is typical for our students to apply to more than just one country and they apply worldwide.

Please find below a summary of the university destinations for our most recent graduating class.

WELCOME TO UWC ATLANTIC 5rswcv

www.uwcatlantic.org UWC Atlantic St Donat’s Castle St Donats CF61 1WF Wales UK