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UWC Adriatic

Italy, Trieste

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 16 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 190
Type Co-educational (boarding)
Opened 1982
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (DP)
Taught languages Arabic, Bosnian, Croatian, English, French, German, Italian, Serbian, Slovenian, Spanish, Russian
Strengths Performing Arts, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Arts and Creative, Community and Service, Leadership and Professional
Stages Sixth Form, Senior Secondary School
Introduction

UWC Adriatic is an international boarding college in the seaside village of Duino, Italy, offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme for students aged 16 to 18. The school combines a rigorous, oriented curriculum with a dynamic arts and music culture and a strong emphasis on service and community. Its campus includes multiple residences: Foresteria, Palazzine, Ples, Lucchese, Scholz and Purnama House, with 17 en-suite rooms and two teacher apartments. A Medical Centre provides on-site care with a full nursing team and a college doctor. Laboratories for science education, including facilities inaugurated in 1997 in honour of Rita Levi-Montalcini, support practical work. Arts spaces include the International School of Chamber Music and the International Community Music Academy. English is the working language; Italian is a language and is taught as a second language. The college offers language and study support, university counselling, and co-curricular programs in which students lead and collaborate.

Frazione Duino, 25A, 34011 Duino TS, Italy

The Essentials

UWC Adriatic has 190 pupils, instruction in English.

Location
UWC Adriatic is located in the seaside village of Duino, Italy, at the crossroads of Germanic, Latin, and Slavic cultures, just north of Trieste. The campus is in Duino Aurisina (TS). The address is Frazione Duino 29, 34011 Duino Aurisina (TS), Italy.

Stages
Ages 16 to 19; International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) curriculum for assessment, over a two-year cycle.

Type
Private international boarding college

Pupil Nationality Mix
184 students; 78 nationalities represented.

Additional learning support
Academic and learning support; language support for English Language Learners; peer study support; university guidance counselling; mental health and wellbeing support.

Country affiliation
Italy
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
Residential life is provided. Students live in residences within the village of Duino. Residence Tutors oversee the operation of their assigned residences and foster a strong sense of community; Residence Assistants support the Tutors in maintaining safety and wellbeing. A Medical Centre is on-site with a College Nurse on weekdays and another nurse on weekends; the College Doctor attends three afternoons a week; emergencies can be addressed via the National Health Service (112).

Uniform Requirement
There is no formal school uniform. Packing guidance specifies 1-2 semi-dressy outfits for special events; for major events a dress code may apply: Black Tie Optional or National Costume.

Food Options
Dining is provided in the Mensa (cafeteria) during term times, with breakfast, lunch and dinner served daily. The Mensa is located on the ground floor of the Foresteria residence. Non-pork and vegetarian options are always available, and there are two vegetarian days each week. Students sign into Mensa with a printing code; if eating out or getting take-aways, they must inform the Student Contact Officer at least 24 hours in advance. Cultural group meals can be organised via the student group meal request form.

Governance and Ownership
UWC Adriatic is a not-for-profit organization. The governance structure includes a President (the legal representative beyond Rettore), Rettore (Rector), Deputy President, a Management Board, a Steering Committee, and a Board of Statutory Auditors. The President leads governance, chairs meetings, and handles relations with United World Colleges International, other Colleges, National Committees, and governments; the Steering Committee and Management Board oversee budget, regulations, and strategic decisions; the Board of Statutory Auditors provides financial oversight.
Academics

UWC Adriatic teaches IB (DP) for students aged 16 to 18.

Curriculum
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) curriculum is followed. The IBDP was developed in collaboration with the UWC movement to provide a rigorous, internationally-minded curriculum.

Higher Education Progression
A full-time University Counsellor assists students with university applications and life after UWC.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Social and emotional learning is supported as part of UWC Adriatic's commitment to students' wellbeing and learning. The Wellbeing Team coordinates mental health support and wellbeing across the community, including the Deputy Head-Pastoral, the College Psychologist, the Medical Staff, Residential Staff, and Tutors. The college delivers universal and targeted approaches to promote positive mental health and to identify and respond to mental health concerns. Confidentiality is upheld in wellbeing matters, with a structured approach to information sharing and safeguarding. When needed, students may access external psychiatric or psychological assessment with parental consent for those under 18, and support is planned to continue on campus as appropriate. The Wellbeing Team and related policies are monitored and reviewed through ongoing professional development and annual reporting.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The English Language Learners Orientation Programme provides students from diverse backgrounds with more equitable learning opportunities. It eases the transition by helping students adjust linguistically and culturally before the academic year begins. The programme offers English language lessons, basic Italian instruction, and social and cultural activities such as exploring Trieste, mask making, theatre, cooking together. The aim is to help students settle into their new environment with confidence and form connections that support them throughout their time at UWC Adriatic. It is led by alumnae and a team of second-year volunteers who guide new students during activities. English is the language of instruction at all UWC colleges, with initial language support available if necessary.

Mental Wellbeing
Building a Healthy Ecosystem initiative promotes mental and physical well-being among the UWC Adriatic community, aligning with WHO guidance. The project is inspired by the World Mental Health Report and the Health-Promoting Schools concept, and aims to develop an integrated health ecosystem on campus. It focuses on preventative health measures and peer-led health awareness, with workshops on nutrition, exercise, stress management and mental well-being. Activities include community engagement days and campaigns, with the goal of fostering a lasting health-conscious culture on campus. The Wellbeing Team coordinates mental health support on campus, including staff and student participation. The initiative is supported as part of the college's broader wellbeing strategy and seeks to extend benefits into the local community.

Safeguarding
UWC Adriatic safeguards students to protect them from abuse and minimise risk, with a structure to protect victims and maintain professional, supportive relationships between staff and students. All teaching staff are provided with an Educational Staff Manual outlining safeguarding expectations and professional boundaries. The college designates a Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Assistant DSLs (Eva Paglia and Aparna Ramchandran) who manage safeguarding concerns. There is an allegation-management process with steps to report, assess credibility, and involve authorities if necessary. Safeguarding measures require staff to adhere to professional behaviour, report concerns, and involve a trusted third party in conversations with students. The Rettore acts as guardian for minors and must report criminal offences to authorities as appropriate.
Parent Experience

History
UWC Adriatic was founded in 1982 with the support of the Italian government and the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region. David Sutcliffe served as the College's founding Rettore, and the first generation arrived in August, hosted at the nearby Hotel Europa. In 1983 the College relocated to Duino and the Opening Ceremony was held in Gorizia, presided by the President of the Italian Senate. In 1984 King Charles III, then Prince of Wales, visited and inaugurated the academic building, and a later reception hosted scholarship students funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In 1989 the International School of Chamber Music, led by the Trio di Trieste, was established at the College, and in 1993 President Oscar Luigi Scalfaro honoured the College with a visit.

Community
UWC Adriatic is part of the global UWC movement and is the first UWC in Europe set up in a non-English-speaking country, welcoming students from over 80 countries. The alumni network numbers over 3,900 alumni worldwide who stay connected and support the College through talks, mentoring and scholarships. Reunions are usually held yearly in July; in 2026 four reunions are scheduled: 26–28 June 2026 for the 30-year and 25-year reunions, and 3–5 July 2026 for the 40-year and 10-year UWC-USA reunions.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
UWC Adriatic is located in the seaside village of Duino, Italy, with academic spaces and student residences dispersed around the village. The college operates several residences, including Foresteria, Palazzine, Ples, Lucchese, Scholz, and Purnama House, which features 17 en-suite rooms plus two apartments for teachers. A Medical Centre provides access to a doctor and a nurse on site, with a small overnight infirmary; a weekday nurse and a weekend nurse, and the college doctor present three afternoons a week. Laboratories for science education are housed on the Duino site, supporting hands-on learning, and the college hosts music and arts spaces including the International School of Chamber Music and the International Community Music Academy. The Library and dedicated study and language support complement academic life.

Academic Facilities
The academic programme is based on the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). The campus features science laboratories for practical work, including laboratories inaugurated in 1997 dedicated to Rita Levi-Montalcini. Arts and music facilities include the International School of Chamber Music and the International Community Music Academy, supporting a wide range of creative subjects. The college offers a broad IB curriculum framework and provides library and study resources to support learning.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Residential life is supported by Residence Tutors and Residence Assistants who foster community and social-emotional wellbeing. The College runs co-curricular programs and student-led initiatives, including a student council. Arts life is active through Arts at UWC Adriatic, encompassing music, dance, poetry, theatre, visual arts, film and musical theatre. The International Community Music Academy anchors the college as a center for chamber music, while other activities include volunteering, project weeks, and collaborations with the local community. University guidance counselling and wellbeing support, language and study support, and peer-based learning are available to students.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) is the curriculum used for assessment. The programme emphasizes interpretation and analysis, investigation and research, synthesis and production, and critical thinking within an international perspective. Subjects are organized into six groups, including language and literature, language acquisition, individuals and societies, sciences, mathematics, and the arts. The college provides Study Support, Language Support, and University Guidance Counselling to support academic achievement and university preparation.

Arts & Creative
Arts at UWC Adriatic encompasses music, theatre, visual arts, film, poetry, and dance. Students participate in concerts, performances, productions, and exhibitions, with emphasis on the learning process rather than a final polished result. The arts programme fosters collaboration, communication, and creativity through experiential learning and ensemble work.

Cultural & Language
Italian language is a vital part of the UWC Adriatic experience; students learn Italian and weave it into daily life to engage with the local community. English and Italian are offered as second languages to support language development, with English as the working language and Italian as a College requirement. The English Language Learners Orientation Programme provides English language lessons and basic Italian instruction before the academic year begins.

Social & Hobbies
Learning to act highlights the importance of co-curricular activities, student-led initiatives, and student councils in developing initiative, self-determination, and leadership. Students take ownership of projects addressing global challenges, collaborating across diverse perspectives and practicing ethical decision-making. Residential life supports social life through house tutors and assistants, fostering community and belonging. Peer Supporters and Health Educators provide confidential peer-based wellbeing support.

Community & Service
Learning to serve encourages students to view community service as a path to personal growth. Through volunteer projects, Project Week, and collaborations with the local community, students develop empathy, resilience, teamwork, and civic responsibility. The college supports service through partnerships and community engagement opportunities.

Leadership & Professional
Learning to act nurtures leadership through co-curricular activities, student-led initiatives, and student councils. Students are encouraged to own projects that address global challenges, developing collaboration, resource management, and innovative problem-solving. Student Representatives elect peers to voice concerns and serve as a bridge between students, administration, and the local community. The college also provides University Counselling to support career planning and university applications.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Learning to be focuses on personal and interpersonal development, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence, guiding students to balance challenge with well-being. Residential life creates a diverse, inclusive community that fosters belonging and adaptability. Mental health and wellbeing are supported by a College Psychologist, a Counsellor and Wellbeing Lead, visiting psychologists, and a Peer Supporters network. Outdoor Education is a regular feature, offering guided trips that build resilience, teamwork, and a connection with the natural environment.
Languages

Language Provision
Languages taught include Arabic, Bosnian, Croatian, English, French, German, Italian, Serbian, Slovenian, Spanish and Russian. Group 2 Language Acquisition offers HL English B and Italian B, and Italian Ab Initio; Standard Level (SL) offers Italian B and Italian Ab Initio. Italian Ab Initio is for absolute beginners; HL Italian B is available for students with prior knowledge or whose mother tongue is a Romance language. There is also a School Supported Self-Taught languages option for Language A to support literature in students' native languages.

Bilingual Teaching
The school uses English as the working language. English is necessary as the working language of the school; additional English language classes are provided outside of class time for students developing English. Italian is taught as a second language and is a vital part of the curriculum; Italian is offered at HL, SL, and Ab Initio to accommodate different levels. The Italian language is integrated into daily life and community engagement at UWC Adriatic.
Reputation

Awards
Ashoka Italy Changemaker Schools 2023

Accreditations
Penta International accreditation (March 2017) — external accreditation by Penta International, using ISO 9001:2000 standards to verify UWC Adriatic meets the college's aims.
Accreditation report – UWC Adriatic (2023) — accreditation process documented; if successful, a three-year accreditation with a follow-up visit after 18 months.
Admissions

Admissions
1. UWC Adriatic does not accept direct applications. You must apply through your National Committee. The costs and scholarships section indicates that scholarships are awarded based on individual needs to ensure access to a UWC education. The vast majority of students attend UWC Adriatic thanks to full scholarships that cover all costs, and the value of a scholarship for attending United World College of the Adriatic is €52,000 for the entire two-year diploma study programme.

Scholarships
Full scholarships cover all costs for the two-year IB Diploma Programme. The value of a scholarship for attending UWC Adriatic is currently €52,000 for the entire two-year diploma study programme.
School Events
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