August 2026 entry

Become part of the fourth generation of Systems Transformation pioneers,

alongside peers at UWCSEA in Singapore, Upper Canada College in Toronto and Mulgrave in Vancouver!

Applications are NOW OPEN

Up to 50 students amongst the incoming cohort of UWC Atlantic will join the Systems Transformation Pathway, alongside the 50 current students who are going into their second year. We are working hard to increase the capacity in the future in the programme so that every students who wishes to take the course is able to do so. For now, while the level of student interest exceeds the capacity in the programme, we have a process to help us build a diverse cohort.

Applications to the fourth cohort of Systems Transformation Pathway students open during the second incoming students townhall, where more details about the program and the selection process will be shared. All students joining UWC Atlantic in August 2026 are eligible, welcome and encouraged to apply!

New students wishing to join the STP cohort are required to select this pathway in their subject choice form. All applicants are required to complete two tasks in order to join the course: a video application that is due 30 June, and an in-person collaborative activity that will take place during orientation. The full timeline and steps in the process are below.

Virtual townhalls for incoming students and families

#1 Welcome to UWC Atlantic

PUBLIC Incoming Townhall 1 - 2026

Recording coming soon

Hear from the Principal Naheed Bardai, Vice Principal, Learning Innovation Marija Dang, Head of Faculty James Williams, and STP teacher Claire Psillides, as well as two current students about the new Systems Transformation Pathway.

#2 Learning at UWC Atlantic

PUBLIC Incoming Class 2026-28 Townhall 2

Recording coming soon

Learn more about the academic programme programme and how the STP course fits within the IB Diploma Programme. Find out how to apply: applications officially open following this townhall.

#3 Student life at UWC Atlantic

Recording coming soon

Learn how you can be involved in social impact initiatives and transforming systems outside the academic programme - through our rich campus life and compelling co-curricular programme.

Our STP student ambassadors are here to help

STP Gen2.0 applications: Student ambassadors

Frequently asked questions

Application process

Why is this course selective?
While the programme is growing, spaces are limited and at the moment student interest exceeds the number of spots we have in the STP. We are working hard to make sure in the near future that every student who wishes to take the course is able to do that, and doubled our intake in 2024 to help make the course accessible to more students. For the past two years (Generations 2 and 3) we have had cohorts of 50+, and we are looking for a similarly sized group for August 2026.

What profile of student is a good fit for this course?
If you are joining UWC Atlantic and feel motivated by the UWC mission - this course is for you! We are not looking for the 'top' students or a special profile of student - no prior knowledge or experience is expected or required. Students committed to enacting the UWC mission and responding to complex real-world challenges, who enjoy collaboration and are looking for opportunities to initiate change and develop leadership skills will thrive in the course. We ask of the early cohorts of students to be comfortable with a degree of uncertainty and excited by the opportunity to actively shape the course for future generations.

How will students be selected for this course?
We will take into account both the video application and the in-person collaborative task in making the cohort selection. One of the greatest strengths of the pioneer cohort has been its diversity and the students' genuine enthusiasm for a course that is specifically designed to be in service of the UWC mission. Take advantage of the video application to help the selection team get to know you as much as possible.

Who can I be in touch with if I have questions or need help during the application process?
Our Admissions Office (admissions@uwcatlantic.org) are your first point of contact during the summer, including questions regarding the process of applying to the Systems Transformation Pathway (STP). For a student perspective on the programme, a diverse group of the STP pioneers have offered to make themselves available to any students applying to the programme - their profiles are above.

Course selection

Are there specific IB subjects that are recommend to take, or not take, alongside the Systems Transformation Pathway?
Not really - the choice of 4 subjects to complement the STP is an opportunity for each student to tailor their IBDP to their interests and / or ambitions post-UWC. There are some constraints from the IB (see Programme) in order to ensure adequate breadth in the Diploma.

Can I take the STP and still access university programmes that have specific IB subjects as part of their admissions requirements?
The STP is compatible with most university programmes, as the admissions requirements are typically met through the 3 HL subjects. There are a few specific discipline + country combinations where this will be a challenge (e.g. medicine in Germany), and our University Guidance Office can advise accordingly. But for vast majority of university programmes, the STP and an appropriately selected set of 4 subjects will meet the admissions requirements:

Curriculum and assessment

How is IB Systems Transformation different from existing IB Diploma subject options?
Envisioned as a bold and innovative course, there are some key differences between the Systems Transformation Pathway and other IB subjects:

Systems Transformation counts for two standard level subjects: collaboratively taught by 4 teachers over 400 hours and worth 14 points, it is the single largest piece of the student's academic programme.
Selecting Systems Transformation opens up greater flexibility in the other course options for diploma students (see Programme).
The Systems Transformation is designed for students seeking to take action, show initiative, and make change. In offering students a transdisciplinary, real-world learning experience, and a progressive, authentic assessment model, the Systems Transformation Pathway offers a different kind of challenge for our students.

How is learning assessed in this exam-free course?

This course has been developed as an alternative assessment pathway for the IB. This means that while STP students will be graded using the same 1–7 system, they won’t be assessed by sitting a traditional high-stakes, timed exam at the end of their two years. Instead, assessments on this course will include a collaborative daylong case study, a portfolio evidencing development of their systems transformation competencies, and two real-world systems intervention projects. For more detail on the assessment model see Programme.