Systems Transformation Pathway
The Systems Transformation Pathway: Leadership for Just Futures prepares students to grapple with some of the most complex global challenges confronting us: how to feed 8 billion people on a warming planet, how to restore and protect the biodiversity of ecosystems, how to transition away from polluting energy sources quickly and equitably, how to respond to mass displacements and migrations as a result of conflict, climate change and disasters..
Designed in partnership with the International Baccalaureate, this innovative pathway was first piloted at UWC Atlantic in 2023 and the IB have confirmed it will become available to all IB schools from 2030. As the pioneer pilot school, we now have STP graduates who have received offers from leading universities including Brown, Columbia, and Stanford.
Independent research conducted by the University of Cambridge highlighted a significant increase in students' confidence and their appreciation of learning. Read why this report sees the STP as "a significant and timely contribution to global education."
Students who have already graduated from the STP Pathway have gone on to study at leading universities around the world, including Cambridge, LSE, Brown, Princeton, Stanford and Hong Kong University.
Fundamentally, this is an action-oriented and intergenerational course, where students study across five key impact areas: food, biodiversity, energy, migration and water. The learning is predominantly classroom-based, with a mix of self-directed and collaborative projects and includes a summer intervention project at the end of the first year. Why not read more about some of our STP students' summer intervention projects.
This course takes the place of 2 Standard Level IB courses and students choosing this pathway graduate with the full IB Diploma and all the benefits of this globally recognised credential.
Our students are the best advocates for how this pathway is transforming education, so listen below to our pioneers as they discuss why they chose to study the Systems Transformation Pathway at UWC Atlantic.
Graduates of this new IB Diploma Pathway will leave UWC Atlantic uniquely empowered. They'll learn how to organise at scale and address systemic challenges, balancing the 'why' of systems thinking and the 'now what' of transformative change, inspired to secure a just future for our people and the planet. This collaboration between the IB and UWC Atlantic is vital in paving the way for the future of the IB Diploma Programme more generally
Find out more about the Systems Transformation Pathway below
Co-Curricular
