UWC selects students who show the potential to thrive in a diverse, challenging and values-driven environment.
While each UWC national committee may have its own timelines and processes, all UWC school and colleges use the same core selection criteria.
These qualities help us identify students who are ready to contribute to their community, engage with global and local challenges and carry UWC’s mission forward.
What we look for:
Intellectual curiosity
You enjoy learning in all forms – inside and outside the classroom. You think critically about the world around you, engage with complex issues and want to explore ideas in greater depth.
Commitment to values
You show a genuine connection to UWC’s values and a readiness to live by them. You act with integrity, promote respect and compassion and listen to others with openness and humility.
Social competence
You can work well with people from different backgrounds and perspectives. You can collaborate in teams, express yourself clearly and adapt to different social situations.
Resilience, self-awareness and independence
You can take care of yourself in challenging situations – for example, in a boarding school setting. You have developed healthy coping strategies, are not easily overwhelmed and know when to ask for help.
Personal responsibility and integrity
You reflect on your actions, understand your values and take responsibility for the impact you have on others and your community.
Academic robustness
You have the potential to meet the demands of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme or the International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme. This doesn’t mean perfect grades – but it does mean commitment, curiosity and the ability to manage a demanding academic workload.
These criteria guide every UWC selection, whether through a UWC national committee, the UWC Global Section Programme or the International Application Pathway.