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FAQs

What is UWC? 

UWC (United World Colleges) is a global education movement. UWC’s mission is to make education a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future. 

UWC comprises a network of 17 international schools and colleges on four continents and a system of volunteer-run national committees in more than 155 countries. Additionally, UWC offers short courses, which are a shorter UWC educational experience. 

UWC offers a challenging educational experience to a deliberately diverse group of students: they come not only from over 150 different countries, but also from a wide range of cultural, socio-economic, religious and educational backgrounds. Through living and learning together, our students discover the value of celebrating diversity and their shared humanity. 

UWC places  high value on experiential learning, community service and outdoor activities, which complement high academic standards delivered through the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) and lower years programmes. 

 

Who studies at UWC? 

Today, over 9,500 students from more than 155 countries are studying on one of the UWC campuses. Over 65% of UWC students selected for UWC through the UWC national committee system receive a full or partial scholarship, enabling admission to a UWC school to be independent of socio-economic means.

This means that anybody can apply to UWC. We are looking for students who want to become a change-maker for a better world - independent of whether they are able to contribute financially to their studies.  

What do you teach at UWC?  

All UWC schools and colleges teach the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) for students in the final two years of high school education. As one of the most well-regarded and widely known secondary school qualifications in the world, the IBDP prepares the students to attend some of the world’s leading universities. In addition to the IBDP, four of our schools offer programmes tailored for younger students: find out more here

UWC also places a high value on experiential learning, community service and outdoor activities, which complement the high academic standards delivered through the IBDP.

Finally, we also offer short course programmes to provide students with a condensed UWC experience, and present our overall missions and values to a greater audience.

Learn more about the academic lifeco-curricular activities and short courses at UWC.

What support is available on UWC campus? 

UWC has a strong commitment to the welfare, development and support of our students. We understand the important role that pastoral care plays in aiding our student during at times challenging experience of living and learning in a residential school environment - often far away from home - with a challenging academic and co-curricular program. All of our locations have a team of on-site staff who support the student’s well-being in roles such as house-parents, student advisors, peer support networks, nurses and counselors, deans of students, health and wellness specialists, heads of residential life, psychologists and psychotherapists, as well as providing access to healthcare, on campus and locally.

Can I choose which UWC school to attend?  

If you apply to UWC through one of our national committees, you apply to the UWC movement as a whole, rather than an individual school or college. Applicants can usually name their first choices of preference, but national committees nominate students to various schools at their own discretion, depending on availability of places. National committees nominate successful candidates to the school or college admissions department, which makes the final decision on whether to accept a proposed candidate.

What are national committees?  

UWC’s national committee system is a unique network of more than 3,000 volunteers working in more than 155 countries to select students for UWC within their specific geographical areas. They promote the UWC movement, find, interview and select students for places at one of our schools and colleges worldwide. 

A wide variety of individuals make up UWC national committees, including UWC alumni, parents of alumni, education professionals and community leaders who have embraced UWC’s mission and values. They promote UWC to prospective students and parents, encourage and support applications, select prospective scholars and prepare successful applicants for their UWC experience.

How old are students studying IB Diploma Programme?  

Students are typically 16-17 when entering into the IB year, but this may vary by school/college and national committee.

How much does UWC education cost? 

At UWC, we believe that a top-class education should be made available to all students, independent of their financial needs. That is why, with the help of our generous donors and partners around the world, 65% of students in their IB Diploma Programme years receive either full or partial financial assistance, which is dependent on need and allocated based on a financial assessment.

What extra costs are there on top of school/college fees? 

School/college fees generally do not include travel to the respective location, pocket money, travel during holiday periods, etc. There may also be additional fees in the form of deposits, and also to cover visa/inoculation processes. However, if needed, UWC will cover also these additional costs.