International School Moshi (ISM) was excited to become the second UWC school on the African continent in August 2019 in our 50th anniversary year.
As a member of the UWCEA community, you may have many questions about how ISM’s transition to membership of the United World Colleges may have changed the way things happen in the school. This page is an attempt to answer some of those questions.
What is UWC?
UWC (United World Colleges) works together to make education a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future.
What does it mean to be a UWC school?
Central to the ethos of UWC is the belief that education can bring together young people from all backgrounds on the basis of their shared humanity. UWC schools and colleges all over the world deliver a challenging and transformational educational experience to a deliberately diverse group of young people.
When the school became a United World College (UWC), what changes did my child see? Does UWC only affect the older students, or does it affect all?
All students in the school are UWC students. Now that the school is a UWC, it is part of a wider, global community and opportunities for students to interact with students around the world are increased. The school continues to offer the high-quality, International Baccalaureate Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programmes.
Is UWCEA run by UWC’s head office in London, or does it continue to be led by its own Board in Tanzania?
All schools and colleges are independent and run by their own Boards.
Will fees increase or change now that the school is a UWC?
There are no anticipated fee increases outside those that can be reasonably expected according to inflation.
Does the school receive grants from UWC to develop its facilities?
Individual schools and colleges within the UWC movement find their own funding, through donations or capital development fees, to develop their facilities. The UWC International Office does not provide grants.
Does the school continue to offer the same curriculum now that it is a UWC? Is the school still an International Baccalaureate world school?
There are no changes to the curriculum planned. The first UWC, Atlantic College in Wales, was one of the founding IB Diploma schools and all UWCs are IB World Schools.
How can I be sure that high academic standards are being maintained?
The school continues to recruit highly qualified teachers and to offer the same, high-quality, International Baccalaureate Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programmes. Many excellent teachers are particularly attracted by the opportunity to work at a UWC.
How does UWC membership help my child to get into university overseas, or to get a scholarship to study at university?
UWC graduates are well respected by many universities overseas and UWC students have reported how their culturally diverse, UWC experience has helped them in interviews and writing their university applications.
Details of the UWC-specific, Davis UWC Scholars Program can be found on our University Preparation page.
Can new students join the school only through application to UWC, or are they still be able to apply directly to UWC East Africa?
Students applying to join our Primary (PYP) or Middle Years (MYP) programmes can apply directly to the school through our online Open Apply platform.
Students applying to join the Diploma Programme must apply through their UWC National Committee or through the UWC Global Selection Programme.
Full details are given on our Admissions page.
Is the school still accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the Middle States Association (MSA)?
Yes. To achieve accreditation or reaccreditation, schools must “infuse their programmes and offerings with international and intercultural perspective so that students can move forward with the attitudes and understanding that will provide them with a solid base wherever their studies or work may take them.”
The ideals of CIS and MSA marry perfectly with the Core Values of the UWC Movement and all schools that are part of the community share a common desire to provide students with the knowledge, skills and abilities to pursue their lives as global citizens.
Will the number of scholarships available for Tanzanians to study at the school remain the same?
As a UWC the school is able to provide greater scholarship opportunities to Tanzanians to attend UWCEA. At the time of writing there are 27 students in the school sponsored through the UWC Tanzania National Committee.
Is the school still regulated by the Tanzanian Ministry of Education?
As a UWC, we are still a school in Tanzania and are, as such, regulated by the Tanzanian Ministry of Education.
Have the rules changed now that the school has become a UWC?
All UWCs agree to the UWC Common Code of Conduct which clearly outlines a common standard of behaviour expected by students in UWCs. The Code of Conduct can be found here. The school will continue to develop its own set of rules for UWCEA.
Why did the school change its name to UWCEA?
All UWC schools and colleges use a name that reflects their membership of the organisation. The company registered in Tanzania as owning UWCEA is International School Moshi Ltd and this name is still used on certain legal documents.