uwcad

 

An emphasis on broad academic achievement and the development of intellectual and personal skills.

The UWC of the Adriatic teaches in the International Baccalaureate programme. This Diploma programme is administered by the International Baccalaureate Organization headquartered in Geneva. The IB Diploma, offered by more than 2,500 international schools throughout the world, is recognized for university entry in over 80 different countries.

Courses at the College are taught in English. Many students have entered this College in the past with very poor English and have managed, with great determination, to master this language. Those students whose English is very weak will get extra tutoring at the beginning of the academic year for as long as necessary.

All students at the College are required to study Italian. Most do so of course as beginners in the language and take Italian as part of their IB programme. For a minority it may be a seventh subject. There need to be strong reasons for taking an extra subject.

Most subjects are taught as two-year courses.The details of recognition may however vary from country to country and even from university to university. To make a good choice of subjects at the College, it may be wise to seek guidance before leaving home. Former students of the United World Colleges and members of the National Committees are good sources of information and advice, as is the IB website 

It is not necessary to make any final decisions about the choice of subjects until arrival at the College – indeed, it is better to keep an open mind. There is a full process of information and consultation in the first few days with the Director of Studies, IB Coordinator and other members of the staff including, very importantly, personal tutors, as well as the already experienced second year students. Careful thought about subject choices in the light of interests, talents and future career before arrival is encouraged and students must indicate their preliminary choices on a form which must be returned to the college in advance.

The scholarship covers the provision of text books and examination fees. Students are expected to provide their own stationery which may be bought at cost from the college. The scholarship does not cover the costs of university applications and of the legalisation of the IB Diploma which, in the year 2008, is required for universities in the following countries: Algeria, Argentina, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Greece, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Malta, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia-Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sudan, Syria, Taiwan, Turkey, UA Emirates, Ukraine, Uruguay and Venezuela.

The fee varies from year to year and by country, but in 2008 the average cost was 75.00 €. As of Sept. 15 2005 the issue of results to universities and colleges is no longer free of charge. Included in the fee paid, students may request that results transcripts be sent to up to 6 different universities. A fee is charged for each additional transcript.

It is extremely helpful to have a personal copy of a dictionary of English in to and out of native languages. We suggest that students bring dictionaries which are light enough to carry to classes. A simple translating dictionary is needed for IB exams except for those who are native English speakers.

The written IB examinations take place in May of the second year. Formal language orals take place in February and March. All the subjects have an internal assessment component (Orals, Guided Coursework, Lab. Work), which takes place throughout the course. Internal assessment deadlines for specific subjects are published in the calendar.

IB examinations are graded on a scale of 1 (minimum) to 7 (maximum), and the Diploma is granted to students gaining an average of 4 points or more in each subject. Lower grades in one or two subjects may be compensated for by higher grades in others at the same level. The results are published in the second week of July.

The aim of the International Baccalaureate is to combine a liberal education in a range of disciplines with the opportunity to study a limited number of subjects in depth. Three courses are taken at the Higher Level, three at the Standard Level. Additionally, all students follow a common course in the Theory of Knowledge and write an Extended (personal research) Essay of some 4,000 words, which has to be handed in by October of the second year. 

In order to obtain the IB Diploma, a student is required to study 6 subjects: 
   • one subject from each of the groups 1-5, plus 
   • either: Music or Visual Arts 
   • or: a second subject from any of the groups 1-4 

 

Students who for good reason need to take Italian as a seventh (or “Certificate”) Subject are permitted to take seven courses and seven examinations at College expense. 
It will be noted below that all Diploma students must write an examination in their own language and literature. Students of languages not provided with teachers or mother tongue tutors, take their own language as a “self-taught” subject, under the guidance of the Head of Languages A1.