Focus

Driving change

Day fees 2024/25

Varies per school

Boarding fees 2024/25

Varies per school; $15,000–$75,000

Pupils

11,000

Ages

2–19

Spear’s Review

United World Colleges (UWC) is a global network that comprises 18 schools and colleges across four continents. UWC was originally founded in the early 1960s to build social, national and cultural bridges in the wake of the Second World War. Each educational institution has a distinct feel and character influenced by its surroundings and host country. But whether that school is in the rainforest of Phuket or a Welsh castle, all have the shared aim of ‘making education a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future’.

Most students attending UWC are boarders between the ages of 16 and 19 who take the two-year International Baccalaureate diploma programme (IBDP), a qualification UWC played a key role in creating in the 1960s. As well as the IBDP, some UWC schools and colleges also offer the International Baccalaureate career-related programme (IBCP). A number of UWC schools accept younger students, with the age at which students can begin living on campus dependent on each school. 

As part of the rigours of the IBDP, a UWC education nurtures students’ whole development through the Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) programme, with each school and college offering a range of faculty and student-led activities.

University and college destinations

Students of UWC go on to matriculate at some of the top universities around the globe.

Head teacher

HM Queen Noor of Jordan is the current president of the UWC movement. She took over the role in 1995 from HM King Charles III (formerly HRH The Prince of Wales).

Admissions

The admissions process varies depending on the school an applicant applies to and may have minimum grade requirements. Candidates are assessed based on how well they demonstrate UWC’s values and how well they will be able to take to the rigorous academic programme.

According to UWC, the application process will generally include a written application, an essay, a series of interviews, examinations and in-person activities.

Click for more information about the research process and expert insight behind the Spear’s Schools Index.