UWC Dilijan College
"UWC Dilijan College holds a distinctive place in both Armenian educational history and the global landscape of international schooling."
As the fourteenth member of the United World Colleges movement — one of eighteen UWC colleges operating around the world — it carries forward a mission that has defined the UWC network for decades: to make education a force to unite people, nations, and cultures for a peaceful and sustainable future. For families relocating to the region or seeking a transformative two-year boarding experience for their teenager, UWC Dilijan represents something genuinely uncommon. The college opened its doors in September 2014, welcoming its first cohort of 96 students into the eleventh grade. That founding moment was itself historic, as UWC Dilijan became the first international boarding school ever established in Armenia. In the years since, the school has grown to a student body of 227 and continues to plan for further expansion, reflecting both strong demand and confidence in its educational model. Academically, UWC Dilijan offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme across grades eleven and twelve — the full two-year IB journey that culminates in the internationally recognized IB Diploma. The IB DP is widely regarded as one of the most rigorous pre-university curricula available, combining subject-area depth with the interdisciplinary requirements of Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay, and the Creativity, Activity, Service component. Students leave not only with strong academic preparation for university but with genuine experience in independent thinking, research, and ethical reflection. As a UWC institution, however, the academic program is inseparable from the broader mission: learning here happens as much through living alongside peers from vastly different backgrounds as it does inside the classroom. The school is situated in Dilijan, a small and scenic town nestled in the forested mountains of northeastern Armenia. Often called the "Swiss Alps of Armenia," Dilijan offers a natural setting that feels worlds away from the pressures of urban life, providing students with an environment that is both contemplative and adventurous. The campus itself reflects a thoughtful investment in the school's long-term presence in the region, and the surrounding landscape supports the kind of outdoor and experiential learning that complements the UWC ethos. What makes UWC Dilijan particularly compelling for families is the intentional diversity of its student community. UWC colleges around the world are known for selecting students not solely on academic merit but on their potential to contribute to a more peaceful world, and Dilijan is no exception. Students arrive from across Armenia and from countries spanning every continent, creating a living community that is genuinely international in character. English serves as the primary language of instruction, ensuring that students from varied linguistic backgrounds can engage fully with the academic program and with one another. For parents — whether Armenian families seeking an internationally rigorous education close to home, or expat and relocating families exploring boarding options in the region — UWC Dilijan offers a rare combination: IB academic excellence, a values-driven community, and a setting of quiet natural beauty in the heart of the Caucasus.