The Challenge

Atlantic College (AC) is the founder college of the UWC college movement. It is an international residential school based in the UK. 350 students aged 16 - 18 from 80 different countries benefit from a world-class International Baccalaureate educational experience. Atlantic College is committed to making education a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future.

As part of its 50th anniversary celebration, the institution decided it would like to measure the impact of the college upon those studying there over that last five decades.

The college approached DJS Research with a view to conducting a two-part research project focusing on the life paths taken by alumni following graduation.

It was decided that a quantitative online project would be complemented with a number of follow-up depths.

The Approach

DJS Research conducted 50 in-depth telephone interviews and 1,687 quantitative web interviews amongst past students of Atlantic College.

Subject areas included:

• Profile of Alumni
• Lasting impact of the College and reasons
• Connection with the College
• Views on College communications
• Views on the College today

The Results

Driving the vision for the future
The research outlined the central importance of relationships with people from other countries and cultures and its lasting impact on Alumni – this had implications for the College’s marketing, admissions policy, activities programme, leisure time policy and Alumni relations.

Marketing to new students
The research highlighted the lasting impact of the College on students and its distinctiveness. This was brought alive through case studies of Alumni, data on alumni academic study/occupations and positive comments made by Alumni in the data.

Engaging with Alumni
The research showed that there is significant appetite for greater connection and involvement amongst Alumni.

Testimonial

"I was very impressed by the work undertaken by DJS Research on behalf of Atlantic College and by the company's professionalism, efficiency and flexibility. They proved particularly helpful in working with us to further refine the project's original objectives, thus strengthening the survey's structure and questionnaire. They subsequently delivered a very comprehensive report - on time, on budget and presented in an accessible format, highlighting key findings and with useful suggestions as to how the information could be used".

Atlantic College