Dulwich College Seoul

Academic Excellence Through IB and IGCSE

Dulwich College Seoul has established a strong track record of exceptional examination results in both the Cambridge IGCSE and IB Diploma programmes, consistently outperforming global averages.

IB Diploma Results

In 2025, the school's 19 IB Diploma candidates achieved:

• Average score of 36.5 points (global average ≈ 30)
• 100% pass rate
• 21% of students scoring 40+ (out of 45)
• 2 bilingual diplomas awarded

In 2024, 32 candidates achieved:

• Average score of 36.6 points
• 100% pass rate
• 29% of students scoring 40+
• 4 bilingual diplomas awarded

In 2023, 32 candidates achieved:

• Average score of 33.7 points
• 97% pass rate
• 10% of students scoring 40+
• At least one perfect score of 45

IGCSE Results

In 2024, 39 IGCSE candidates achieved:

• 71% A–A grades*
• 90% A–B grades*
• 99.1% pass rate

In 2023, 29 candidates achieved:

• 70% A–A grades*
• 90% A–B grades*

Subject Highlights

The school offers a comprehensive range of IGCSE subjects including English Language and Literature, Mathematics, Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics), History, Geography, Computer Science, Drama, Music, and multiple modern languages. At IB Diploma level, students choose from subjects spanning Mathematics, Sciences, Humanities, Languages, and the Arts, alongside the compulsory Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay, and CAS programme.

University Outcomes

The strong academic results translate directly into exceptional university placements. The Class of 2025 received offers from Princeton, UPenn, Brown, UCLA, UCL, LSE, Durham, and St Andrews, among others. Every student from the Class of 2022 gained a university place, with graduates proceeding to leading institutions including Oxford, Cambridge, Princeton, Columbia, NUS, and KAIST.

The Dulwich Difference: Live Worldwise

At the heart of Dulwich College Seoul's educational approach is the concept of "Live Worldwise" — a vision that goes beyond academic achievement to shape the character and global consciousness of every student.

Mission and Vision

The school's mission is to "inspire students to grow as global citizens who make a positive difference in the world." Its vision is "to nurture students to Live Worldwise — to become confident, compassionate, future-ready global citizens with the skills and character to make a positive difference in the world."

These statements reflect the broader Dulwich College International philosophy, which traces its roots to the original Dulwich College in London, founded over 400 years ago.

Core Values

The school cultivates six core values in its students:

• Resilience — persistence through challenge
• Responsibility — accountability to self and community
• Respect — for all individuals and cultures
• Inclusiveness — embracing diversity
• Adaptability — flourishing in a changing world
• Global Citizenship — acting for the greater good

Holistic Education

While the school is academically selective and results-driven, its curriculum extends well beyond the classroom. The enhanced British curriculum integrates STEAM learning, performing arts, sports, and community service. Students are encouraged to pursue Duke of Edinburgh Awards, participate in the MADD Festival (Music, Art, Drama, Dance), engage in Model United Nations, and contribute through community service projects.

Multilingual and Multicultural Identity

With over 45 nationalities represented, Dulwich College Seoul actively cultivates a multicultural identity. The language programme offers instruction in English, Mandarin Chinese, Korean, French, and Spanish, reflecting the school's commitment to producing genuinely global graduates. EAL support ensures that students who join without full English proficiency can access the curriculum and thrive.

This philosophy — rigorous academics combined with character development and global awareness — makes Dulwich College Seoul one of Seoul's most distinguished international institutions.

A Campus Built for Excellence

Situated in Seoul's Seocho-gu district, Dulwich College Seoul occupies a purpose-built urban campus designed to support the breadth of its enhanced British curriculum. Despite being in the centre of one of Asia's most densely populated cities, the school has invested heavily in specialist facilities that would not be out of place at a leading boarding school.

Performing Arts

The Alleyn Theatre, seating approximately 250 people, serves as the centrepiece of the school's performing arts provision. Named after Edward Alleyn, the founder of the original Dulwich College, it hosts full-scale drama productions, concerts, and formal events. A separate Drama Black Box studio provides an intimate performance space for experimental and smaller-scale productions. The Music Complex comprises a suite of soundproofed practice rooms and ensemble spaces supporting choir, orchestra, jazz band, and individual instrument tuition.

STEAM and Technology

The SE21 STEAM Lab is a state-of-the-art interdisciplinary learning space for science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics projects. Specialist science laboratories for physics, chemistry, and biology are complemented by a Food Technology Room and comprehensive IT infrastructure — the school operates as a fully wireless campus with tablets and computers across all year groups.

Sports

Sports facilities include an indoor gymnasium supporting basketball and multiple indoor sports, an outdoor sports field for football and athletics, an outdoor futsal astro court, and a 5-metre indoor swimming pool used for swimming lessons and competitive training across all year groups.

Arts and Making

Creative arts are supported by specialist Art and Design Workshops, a ceramics Kiln Room, and a dedicated photography studio. These spaces allow students to develop technical craft skills alongside conceptual artistic thinking.

Learning Environments

Two Learning Resource Centres (libraries) serve the primary and secondary sections, providing both physical and digital research resources. Early years students benefit from dedicated outdoor playgrounds designed to support developmental play.

This campus infrastructure underpins Dulwich College Seoul's commitment to a well-rounded education that extends academic learning into creative, physical, and technological domains.

Community and Co-Curricular Life at Dulwich College Seoul

A Truly International Community

With over 720 students representing more than 45 nationalities, Dulwich College Seoul is one of Seoul's most internationally diverse schools. The student body draws primarily from the city's expatriate community and Korean returnees, creating a genuinely multicultural learning environment. The school's location in Seocho-gu — a district popular with international families — makes it a natural hub for Seoul's global community.

Sports

The school participates in the Korea American Interscholastic Activities Conference (KAIAC), competing against other international schools across Seoul and Korea in sports including football, basketball, volleyball, badminton, table tennis, swimming, athletics, and futsal. The school also participates in the Dulwich Games, an inter-campus competition across Dulwich College International's Asian schools.

Performing Arts and Culture

The MADD Festival (Music, Art, Drama, Dance) is a highlight of the school year, showcasing student talent across all performing arts disciplines. The school also hosts the Dulwich Music Festival and a variety of Worldwise cultural events. Drama productions are staged in the Alleyn Theatre, while smaller performances take place in the Black Box studio.

Academic and Leadership Activities

Students can engage in Model United Nations (MUN), debate, mathematics olympiads, science and STEM projects, robotics and coding, and a range of language clubs (French, Spanish, Korean Culture). The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award programme provides older students with a structured framework for developing skills in volunteering, physical activity, and expedition.

Community Service

Service learning is woven into the school culture, particularly through the IB Diploma's CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) requirement. Environmental and sustainability clubs, community service projects, and student council governance give students meaningful leadership and civic engagement opportunities.

The Dulwich International Network

As part of Dulwich College International, students benefit from connections with sister campuses in Shanghai, Beijing, Suzhou, Singapore, and beyond — creating opportunities for inter-campus events, shared programmes, and a sense of belonging to a wider global educational community.

How Dulwich College Seoul Selects Its Students

Dulwich College Seoul is explicitly academically selective, and its admissions process is designed to identify students who are ready to thrive in its demanding British and IB curriculum environment.

Eligibility Requirements

Due to Korean regulations governing foreign schools, applicants must generally be non-Korean nationals or Korean nationals who have been educated overseas. This shapes the predominantly expatriate and returnee student body.

Stage-by-Stage Assessment

Early Years (Nursery/Reception): Applicants undergo a 20-minute play-based assessment to evaluate school readiness and basic self-care skills (toilet-trained, able to change clothes independently).

Primary Years 1–2: A play-based evaluation of approximately 20 minutes assesses developmental readiness alongside previous school reports.

Primary Years 3–6: Candidates sit the CAT4 cognitive ability test plus a 15–30 minute written composition exercise. Non-native English speakers are also assessed by the EAL team.

Secondary (Years 7–9): Applicants submit previous school reports and references, then sit a 60-minute CAT4 assessment that includes a writing component. A meeting with a senior school staff member is required, along with an EAL test for non-native English speakers.

Senior School (Years 10–11 and beyond): Admissions become increasingly selective. Year 11 applicants are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Year 12 applicants undergo an interview focused on their readiness for the demanding IB Diploma Programme.

Notification and Waitlist

Admission decisions are communicated within 7–10 working days of assessment. Most year groups maintain a waiting list, with priority given to: children of current staff, siblings of enrolled students, siblings of accepted applicants, transfers from other Dulwich campuses, and children of alumni.

Financial Considerations

A non-refundable application fee of KRW 400,000 is payable at submission, and a refundable placement deposit of approximately KRW 3,000,000 is required upon acceptance to confirm a place.