Navigating United World Colleges Scholarships: A Comprehensive Guide
The United World Colleges (UWC) is a global educational movement that aims to unite people, nations, and cultures for peace and a sustainable future. Founded in 1962 by German educator Kurt Hahn, UWC promotes intercultural understanding and has 18 colleges across four continents. UWC offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP). UWC selects students from over 155 countries through national committees, focusing on personal motivation and potential rather than social, economic, or cultural factors. Recognizing the transformative potential of a UWC education, numerous scholarships are available to deserving students. This article provides a detailed overview of UWC scholarships, including eligibility requirements, application pathways, and financial coverage.
Understanding the United World Colleges (UWC)
The United World Colleges (UWC) is an international network of schools and educational programs aimed at making education a force to unite people, nations, and cultures for peace and a sustainable future. Founded in 1962 by German educator Kurt Hahn, UWC promotes intercultural understanding and has 18 colleges across four continents. UWC selects students from over 155 countries through national committees, focusing on personal motivation and potential rather than social, economic, or cultural factors. The organization runs the world's most extensive scholarship program in international secondary education and offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP).
What is the UWC Scholarship?
The UWC Scholarship provides financial aid to students selected to study at one of the UWC schools across the globe. The UWC Scholarship is one of the most competitive and prestigious scholarships available to high school students worldwide.
UWC Scholarship Coverage
Scholarships to attend a UWC school: Our fees and costs vary by school, but we believe that money shouldn’t be a barrier for someone with potential. This is why UWC International, each UWC school, and more and more national committees dedicate much of their efforts to raise funds that allow us to provide scholarships. That means that promising young people benefit from an exceptional education and our schools benefit from fresh perspectives, diverse cultures and backgrounds - and powerful voices.
Financial support coverage depends on the school, the number of places allocated to UWC national committees and each applicant’s financial need. As part of the selection process, UWC national committees carry out a financial needs assessment.
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What do scholarships cover? This depends on what places each school provides to the national committees every year. The fee level is for two years and includes tuition, room and board, books, IB exam registration fees and school field trips.
UWC schools and colleges usually collect fees in local currencies, but the bands use USD for consistency. Fees cover two years and include tuition, room and board, books, IB exam fees and school trips.
Costs for short courses vary and scholarships are often available. Both are advertised on each individual course page.
Eligibility Requirements
Students at UWC are selected on promise and potential, not on their financial circumstances. As part of the selection process, national committees carry out a financial means assessment. If your application is successful, the exact scholarship amount will be determined based on your needs to ensure you’re able to benefit from a UWC education.
Each UWC national committee, the Global Selection Programme and the International Application Pathway use UWC’s core selection criteria to assess applicants. Criteria include age, nationality, residency and academic background. Students are typically 16 or 17 years old when they begin the IBDP/IBCP. Age requirements may vary depending on the UWC school or national committee.
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UWC is committed to offering high-quality education to young refugees and displaced students. There are scholarships available through our UWC Refugee Initiative.
Application Pathways
There are several ways to experience a UWC education. In order to be considered for a scholarship, you need to apply via your national committee of residency or citizenship. If you do not need a scholarship to attend a UWC, you can consider applying through the Global Selection Programme (GSP).
1. National Committee Route
Students are selected based on promise and potential - not their financial background. As part of the selection process, UWC national committees carry out a financial needs assessment. UWC scholarships are awarded through National Committees.
Each UWC national committee sets its own deadlines. Contact your local committee for details. The earlier you apply, the sooner you’ll receive an update. Applicants applying through UWC national committees apply to the UWC movement, not to a specific school or college. Committees consider preferences but place students across all 18 UWC schools and colleges, depending on availability.
What are UWC national committees? UWC’s national committee system is a global network of over 4,000 volunteers across more than 150 countries. These committees promote UWC locally and select students for IBDP places at UWC schools and colleges. National committees are made up of UWC alumni, parents, educators and community leaders who support UWC’s mission and values.
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In this case, the first step would be to contact the UWC national committee in your country of residence. If you are not eligible to apply through them, the next step would be to contact the national committee in your country of origin.
2. The UWC Global Selection Programme
The UWC Global Selection Programme is an alternative application route for the two-year IBDP. It is open to students who do not require financial assistance and wish to choose a specific school. Places are available at 15 UWC schools and colleges. The UWC Global Selection Programme accepts applications on a rolling basis, usually between August and April for the following academic year
3. International Application Pathway
Each UWC national committee, the Global Selection Programme and the International Application Pathway use UWC’s core selection criteria to assess applicants. The International Application Pathway accepts applications between September and October for the following academic year.
Additional Options and Considerations
If there’s no UWC national committee in your country of residence, you may still be eligible to apply through the committee in your country of nationality.
Only one application can be submitted per academic entry year. Applicants may not apply through multiple UWC national committees or both a committee and the GSP or IAP in the same year. Applying again the following year is usually possible if the age criteria are still met.
Most UWC schools and colleges begin the academic year in August. Waterford Kamhlaba UWC of Southern Africa follows the southern hemisphere’s calendar and starts in January.
Fees and Costs
| UWC school or college | Fee bands in USD (for two years) |
|---|---|
| UWC Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina) | Between USD 45,000 and USD 70,000 |
| Waterford Kamhlaba UWC of Southern Africa (Eswatini) | Between USD 45,000 and USD 70,000 |
| UWC Mahindra College (India) | Between USD 71,000 and USD 80,000 |
| UWC East Africa (Tanzania) | Between USD 71,000 and USD 80,000 |
| UWC Costa Rica | Between USD 81,000 and USD 90,000 |
| UWC Dilijan (Armenia) | Between USD 81,000 and USD 90,000 |
| UWC Red Cross Nordic (Norway) | Between USD 91,000 and USD 110,000 |
| UWC Maastricht (Netherlands) | Between USD 91,000 and USD 110,000 |
| UWC ISAK Japan | Between USD 91,000 and USD 110,000 |
| UWC Thailand | Between USD 91,000 and USD 110,000 |
| UWC Changshu China | Between USD 91,000 and USD 110,000 |
| Pearson College (British Columbia, Canada) | Between USD 111,000 and USD 130,000 |
| UWC-USA (New Mexico, USA) | Between USD 111,000 and USD 130,000 |
| Li Po Chun UWC of Hong Kong | Between USD 111,000 and USD 130,000 |
| UWC Atlantic (Wales, UK) | Between USD 150,000 and USD 160,000 |
The Davis UWC Scholars Program
Created by philanthropist Shelby Davis and international educator Phil Geier, the programme builds on the UWC experience. UWC students who complete the IBDP and are accepted to one of over 100 participating US institutions may be nominated as Davis UWC Scholars. There is no separate application. Students apply directly to the university.
“Before the Davis UWC Scholars Program, so many gifted, committed young people from diverse backgrounds had few opportunities to continue their education after UWC. Each year, over one thousand UWC graduates join the programme. In total, more than 14,700 alumni have received support, often unlocking additional financial aid from their universities. The Davis UWC Scholars Program has transformed what’s possible for generations of UWC graduates.
“The Davis UWC Scholars Program gave me the opportunity to study in an environment that challenged my perspective and deepened my understanding of global health issues.
Davis UWC Scholars grants are need-based. Grant amounts are determined by taking the student’s demonstrated need and awarding up to $40,000 from funds provided by the Shelby Davis family. Grants are divided over two semesters. Students who receive Davis UWC Scholars are required to be active participants in on-campus international activities. At a minimum, this includes a leadership role in at least one organized international event and a supporting role in one additional international event per year. No separate application for the grant is required.
St. John’s College and the Davis UWC Scholars Program
St. John’s College loves students who attend United World Colleges. In fact, admitted Davis UWC Scholars are guaranteed a full-tuition scholarship to attend St. John’s for four years. As a Davis Scholar at St. John’s, you immediately join a thriving community of more than forty Davis Scholars. The student body consists of 20 percent international students from 40-plus countries. All Davis Scholars receive a full-tuition scholarship and attend St. John’s. UWC students are encouraged to contact admissions if you have questions about the application. You may apply using the Common Application, the St. John’s Application, the Coalition Application, or the Discussion-Based Application.
St. John’s provides continuity for the development of the academic and personal skills that we acquire at UWC. Academically, we were already on track to explore the world through philosophical lenses that this college provides. Meanwhile, this college allows for the personal growth that I deeply valued whilst at UWC.
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