There is no typical UWC candidate - we accept applications from a wide range of candidates. We do not expect you to have lived abroad or speak many languages! Most applicants have evidence of extra-curricular engagement in both academic subjects and activities (sports, volunteering, or creative pursuits). However, we understand that all applicants have had different opportunities in their lives. We only care about whether you have made the most out of your opportunities. As long as you are committed to working towards a better world, we would love to hear from you, no matter what you have achieved in your life so far. Potential and motivation are the most important attributes we look for.

Applications through UWC national committees are made to the UWC movement, rather than to an individual UWC school or college.

The decision of who to send to each college is based on a number of factors – an applicant’s interests, their personality, maturity and how they would complement the other selected students for that college.

UWC Australia attempts to match successful candidates to a college that suits them, and some UWCs also have certain characteristics that they look for in students, which helps ensure the student can thrive in that environment.

We encourage all of our applicants to be open to the idea of studying at any college. However, applicants will get the opportunity to speak individually with the selections team about their interests, motivation and preferences. UWC Australia ultimately decides the assignment of places after careful consideration of the candidate’s profile.

Students are awarded places at a UWC school or college based purely on how well they meet our selection criteria. If they are successful, parents or guardians need to complete a financial assessment which is completely separate from the selection process. Scholarships and partial scholarships are awarded based on financial need. This helps ensure scholarships go to students who need them most.

Scholarships generally cover tuition and board depending on the demonstrated need of the family. Scholarships may cover other expenses such as books, project weeks and travel expenses. In the offer letter, the National Committee will outline what the potential costs the family will be responsible for the particular school and college.

The Australian national committee will clearly define all costs which it is responsible for in the offer letter provided to your child if successful through the selection process. This may cover all tuition and board costs or part thereof. Depending on the specific circumstances, the national committee may also offer to pay for ancillary expenses such as airfare travel to and from the school each year, or college specific expenses such as medical insurance.

If successful, the Australian national committee will contact the successful candidate and their families to give them a formal offer at a UWC school or college. The offer will outline the amount of scholarship support (if any), towards the cost of tuition and board fees to a particular UWC, and highlight any additional support provided from the national committee.

School fees are typically due before the start of each semester (August and January) each academic year. Payment plans can be negotiated with the respective schools and colleges. The national committee can help with this process depending on the offer that has been provided in the offer letter.

UWC Australia receives funding from a variety of sources, including individual UWC schools and colleges, interest from a trust fund, and much appreciated donations from UWC alumni, their families, and other generous individuals.

Unfortunately, these sources cannot cover all costs, and some scholarships will require the candidate and their family to contribute part of the cost.

Since the foundation of the first UWC college in 1962, UWC has inspired a network of more than 60,000 alumni worldwide, who remain committed to the UWC mission and to contributing to a more sustainable and peaceful world.

The success of our alumni is not merely measured in terms of academic achievements or job titles, but also through their dedication to service, a key principle of their UWC experience. Read the stories of UWC alumni stories of UWC alumni who are making an impact in the world.