UWCSEA HIGH SCHOOL
GRADE 9 AND 10 PROGRAMME
UWCSEA HIGH SCHOOL
In Grades 9–12 students complete the UWCSEA High School Diploma. This equips UWCSEA graduates with a valued transcript,
reflective of the depth, breadth, and challenge of our holistic learning programme. Grade 12 students who meet our graduation
requirements will be awarded a UWCSEA High School Diploma certificate upon graduation.
In addition, students in Grades 11 and 12 complete the IB Diploma programme, or a selection of IB courses based on
their interests.
Grade 9/10 Programme
The UWCSEA Grade 9/10 programme is unique to the UWCSEA High School Diploma, drawing from international education
and research to provide a bespoke experience for our students. This programme has been crafted by our experienced educators
to meet the distinct needs and aspirations of learners at this important stage of their development, while providing an excellent
foundation for Grades 11 and 12—whatever their futures might hold.
The UWCSEA Grade 9/10 programme is driven by the singular ambition of the UWCSEA Mission, and encompasses all five
elements of our holistic learning programme. Our students benefit from additional choice and agency in their learning, as they
create their individual pathway to graduation and life beyond school.
Grade 9/10 Programme requirements
Academics
Our innovative academic programme in Grades 9/10 has been crafted by our expert educators to build breadth, depth, and a
lasting passion for learning. With our expertise in curriculum design, and unparalleled experience with the IB Diploma, we’ve
designed an academic programme which reaches far beyond the traditionally narrow requirements of exam-focused learning.
This is a programme inspired by the curiosity and ambition of our incredible UWCSEA students, and the demands of a rapidly
changing world. The UWCSEA 9/10 programme may be the right choice for you and your child if you are looking for:
• More choice: with a broader range of subjects and possible combinations, our students have more ways to personalise their
learning experience.
• More varied assessment: our students are challenged to demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and understanding across a
variety of formats (including formal exams).
• More real-world, experiential learning: our future-focused courses provide opportunities for students to build connections
to innovation around us in Singapore, including the world of work.
• Learning with purpose: our academic programme K–12
centres the UWCSEA mission to build peace and a
sustainable future. We ensure that learning in our high
school comes with hands-on experience, empathy, and
a desire for change.
Personal and Social Education
• Student wellbeing is the responsibility of all the adults
in the College and a support system that involves
Mentors, Heads of Grade and the Counselling, Learning
Support and University Advising teams ensures that
students are supported according to their needs.
• In addition, PSE curriculum in Grade 9 and 10 is
delivered through Wellbeing and Physical Education,
which is timetabled in the school day.
Activities
• All students must participate in at least 2 Activities
seasons in Grade 9 and Grade 10.
• Students have the option to participate in additional
Activities if they choose.
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UWCSEA
GRADE 9/10
PROGRAMME
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Service
• Over the course of Grades 9–10, students must complete (in total) at least two seasons of an after-school Service, or 4 seasons
of a lunchtime Service.
• Students have the option to participate in additional Service if they choose.
• College Service, Local Service, Global Concerns, and Environmental Initiatives all count towards this service commitment.
Outdoor Education
• All students are expected to take part in an Outdoor Education experience in Grade 9 (or Grade 10 for students joining at that stage).
• Students have the option to participate in an additional Outdoor Education experience in Grade 10, depending on availability.
• Some expeditions are combined Grades 9 and 10 expeditions.
Subject domains
In addition to the Core, students must select
one course from each of these six subject
domains in each year of the programme:
• Language – English
• Language – Additional
• Humanities
• Science and Technology
• Mathematics
• Arts and Design
Compulsory Core
• 1 year of UWC
Perspectives in their
first year (either Grade 9
or Grade 10, depending
on when they join the
High School)
• 2 years of Wellbeing
and Physical Education
(counts for 1 course
each year)
The remaining 2–3 course options in each year can be taken from any group,
with continuing students able to make new choices for their programme in
Grade 10. In this way, students have opportunities to develop depth, breadth,
and entirely new interests.
The table below outlines the overall 2-year programme:
Making choices in the Grade 9/10 Programme
In order to meet the requirements of the Grade 9/10 academic programme, students are required to take 10 courses each year.
GRADE 9
GRADE 10
Core: UWC Perspectives
Free choice*
Core: Wellbeing and PE
Core: Wellbeing and PE
English
first language or language acquisition**
English
first language or language acquisition**
Additional language
first language or language acquisition
Additional language
first language or language acquisition
Humanities
choice from a selection
Humanities
choice from a selection
Science
Science
Mathematics
Mathematics
Art and Design
choice from a selection
Art and Design
choice from a selection
Free choice
Free choice
10
Free choice
Free choice
* Students new to Grade 10 will take the UWC Perspectives here and have one fewer free choice overall
** Students taking English language acquisition will have two additional English classes, and therefore
one fewer free choice overall.
Last updated 10 November 2025 | HS–2526
Grade 9
Grade 10
Core:
UWC Perspectives
Free choice 1:
Computer Science
Core: Wellbeing and PE
Core: Wellbeing and PE
First language English
First language English
Language Acquisition:
French
Language Acquisition:
French
Humanities: Geography
Humanities: History
Coordinated Science
Coordinated Science
Mathematics
Mathematics
Art and Design: Music
Art and Design: Film
Free choice 1:
Mathematics Plus
Free choice 2:
Mathematics Plus
10
Free choice 2: Coordinated
Science Plus
Free choice 3: Coordinated
Science Plus
Grade 9
Grade 10
Core:
UWC Perspectives
Free choice 1:
Psychology
Core: Wellbeing and PE
Core: Wellbeing and PE
First language: English
First language: English
First language: Hindi
First language: Hindi
Humanities: Geography
Humanities: Geography
Coordinated Science
Coordinated Science
Mathematics
Mathematics
Art and Design:
Visual Arts
Art and Design:
Visual Arts
Free choice 1: History
Free choice 2: History
10
Free choice 2: Language
Acquisition French
Free choice 3: Language
Acquisition French
Grade 9
Grade 10
Core:
UWC Perspectives
Free choice 1:
Psychology
Core: Wellbeing and PE
Core: Wellbeing and PE
First language English
First language English
Language Acquisition:
Spanish
Language Acquisition:
Spanish
Humanities: Economics
Humanities: Economics
Coordinated Science
Coordinated Science
Mathematics
Mathematics
Art and Design: Drama
Art and Design: Drama
Free choice 1: Dance
Free choice 2: Dance
10
Free choice 2: Visual Arts
Free choice 3: Visual Arts
Grade 9
Grade 10
Core: UWC Perspectives
Free choice 1: History
Core: Wellbeing and PE
Core: Wellbeing and PE
English as an
Additional Language
English as an
Additional Language
First language: Chinese
First language: Chinese
Humanities: Social
Enterprise
Humanities:
Psychology
Coordinated Science
Biology
Mathematics
Mathematics
Art and Design: Film
Art and Design: Drama
English as an
Additional Language
English as an
Additional Language
10
Free choice 2: Coordinated
Science Plus
Free choice 3:
Chemistry
What might a Grade 9/10 programme look like?
Making choices in Grade 9 and 10 is an exciting time for
students when they reflect on the disciplines they enjoy, their
learning preferences, and their hopes for the future.
In the UWCSEA Grade 9/10 programme, students can dig deeper
into their favourite areas, by using free choices to ‘double-up’
or even ‘triple-up’. Students can also take the opportunity to try
new courses either when starting Grade 9, or when they begin
Grade 10 and can review and change their package.
All subject combinations provide a foundation for entry to
the Grade 11–12 learning programme and IB options are not
limited to the subject choices students make during Grades
9 and 10. In transitioning to Grade 11, students are supported
by the high school team, including University Advisors and the
IB Diploma Coordinator, to ensure they have the background
and skills they need for success.