Eligibility Criteria

UWC Selection Criteria

A great education can transform lives. But, throughout the world, too many people are missing out.

That’s why UWC does things differently. We think that a quality education shouldn’t just be reserved for those with wealth, or connections. We believe that those with the drive and compassion to change the world should be given the chance to shine.

So why do you have a selection process?

A UWC education is open to anyone. But it is not always suited to everyone.

Our curriculum can be rigorous and requires a lot of dedication. But it will encourage you to take on challenges that might seem beyond you, until you complete them.

Our places are limited. This is to ensure students get the individual attention they need, and to maintain a community which encourages students to mix, and learn from each other.

We want to make sure that people who receive a UWC education have the passion and commitment to complete it, and the motivation to apply it to improve the world.

How do you select students?

Our selection process varies from country to country. Each national committee has its own deadlines and tailors the process to reflect their own culture and community.

This means they may add their own criteria, such as minimum-grade requirements.

But all UWC schools use six key standards for selecting students:

Intellectual curiosity: You love learning about the world around you - both inside and outside the classroom. You have at least one academic area that you are passionate about, and would like to explore further. You are able to recognise global and local issues, and analyse them critically.

Active commitment to your own values and those of UWC: You share UWC’s values and show a commitment to follow UWC’s code of conduct. You have humility and the ability to listen to, and value, other people’s opinions. You appreciate that although others may have different points of view, they may also be right. You promote UWC’s values in your daily life, and act as a global citizen of the world.

Social competence: You interact respectfully with others, understanding and appreciating their viewpoints and perspectives, and you are able to work within a team to find solutions to problems. You know how to express yourself appropriately in different situations and to different people.

Resilience, self-awareness and independence: You can look after yourself physically and emotionally during challenging situations, for example in a boarding school environment. You have developed good coping strategies, and you are not easily overwhelmed. You also know when to ask for help for yourself, and for others.

Personal responsibility and integrity: You can express and examine your own values, and you are ready to contrast and reflect on them in comparison to the values of others. The way you behave within your family and community reflects your values and beliefs. You can communicate your own needs and are mindful of those of others, demonstrating a sense of communal responsibility.
Academic robustness: You have the potential to meet the rigorous demands of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme or the International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme.

We’re looking for students who want to contribute to a better world, whatever their background.

Eligibility Requirements