United World Colleges (UWC)

Focus

Creating an equitable future

Day fees

Varies per school

Boarding fees

Varies per school

Pupils

11,000

Ages

2–18

Academics

Average IB score of 35.5 (2022).

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 between the ages of 16 and 19 take the 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 students aged 16 to 19 the International Baccalaureate career-related programme (IBCP). 

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

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).

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