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FAQs

1- What is UWC?

- UWC comprises schools and colleges in 18 countries and national committees and selection contacts in more than 150. The UWC movement also consists of more than 60,000 alumni and other members in virtually every country in the world. UWC International is governed by the International Board and UWC Council. The executive arm of the International Board is the International Office, based in London.

- The United World College (UWC) is the only global educational movement which brings together students from all over the world at pre-university level (or tertiary level in the case of one College). Students are selected on merit and live together in an environment designed to foster international understanding, tolerance and peace. UWC schools, colleges and programmes deliver a challenging and transformative educational experience to a diverse cross-section of students, inspiring them to create a more peaceful and sustainable future. For further information about the movement generally, you can go to www.uwc.org

2- Why choose UWC?


- UWC schools and colleges offer life-defining experiences for young people. We help them to discover the possibility of change through courageous action, personal example and selfless leadership. This holistic approach to education helps you or your child to flourish – physically, intellectually, emotionally, spiritually and ethically.
Our success is not just measured in terms of academic achievements or job titles. We assess our impact, also, by looking at how UWC alumni contribute to the local, national and international community. A student’s lifelong commitment to our values means the communities they are part of benefit from their UWC education too. You or your child could help create a more peaceful and sustainable world as part of this “UWC movement”.
Many alumni support, create and volunteer for a wide variety of non-profit organizations, community and campaign groups. This demonstrates their ongoing commitment to the principle of service, a key feature of a UWC education.

3- What degree do I receive?


- All UWC schools and colleges teach the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. It’s one of the most well-regarded and widely known secondary school qualifications in the world and is recognised by leading universities.

4- How do I apply?


- Most students apply through our unique national committee system. We have national committees in over 150 countries.

Libyans can apply through the Libyan National Committee. Start Here http://www.apply.uwc.org/

5- When do I apply?


- Students join our colleges every August. Application dates are set by national committees, and schools - if you apply directly to them. So they vary from country to country.
What is a national committee?
National committees set UWC apart from other international schools. They are made up of volunteers in over 150 countries around the world.
The groups select students for our schools and colleges using a range of methods and activities appropriate to their local context. Within their country, national committees also:
- Promote UWC.
- Prepare students for their UWC experience.
- Provide a hub for UWC alumni.
- Fundraise.
- Organise short courses and educational programmes.

6-What are the eligibility criteria to apply to UWC schools and colleges?


- In Libya, in order to apply to UWC, you must be a Libyan citizen or resident. You must be between 16 and 18 years old and be a high school student.

7-  What attributes UWC looks for in students?


1. Intellectual curiosity and motivation
Showing a genuine desire to learn about the world, the capacity to grasp a range of issues, from global problems to local concerns, and the ability to analyse topics thoroughly.

2. Active commitment
The ability to develop, question and confront their own values. To measure their behaviour within family and community against these values, and to act accordingly and responsibly.

3. Social competence
The ability and readiness to make contact with other people, interact respectfully with them, work in a team and achieve solutions. Also, the ability to express themselves appropriately, in different situations and to different people.

4. Resilience, personal responsibility and integrity
The ability to look after themselves physically and emotionally during the challenging and transforming experience that UWC offers. Also, the personal motivation to adhere to UWC’s common moral and ethical principles, a sense of humility and an ability to listen and value the opinion and experience of others.

5. Motivation for UWC
Passion and commitment to actively promoting UWC’s values.

8- Who can apply?


- Any Libyan citizen or resident between the age of 16 and 17 years old. To apply, you have to have finished at least one year of high school.

9- What documents do I need to apply?


- For students in Libya applying for UWC, you will need to provide the following:
Complete an application form 
Write an essay (if in Arabic, provide an official translation)
2 references and letters of recommendation from a teach or a principal and someone who knows you well. 
Copy of your passport 
High school transcripts or grades reports for two years

10- How are students selected?

- After students submit their application to their national committee, the selection process begins. 
The selection normally involves one, or several, face-to-face interview(s), a series of group activities and an exam or test. At the end of the selection process, the national committee nominates successful candidates to a UWC school or college who make the final decision about whether to accept them.

11- Can I choose where to go?


- Students can’t apply to specific colleges. They apply to the UWC movement as a whole. However, some national committees will ask you/your child to specify a preference as part of your application.
The only exception to this is for students who don’t qualify to apply through a national committee and need to go directly to a school or college. You can only apply to one college at a time and scholarships are not available for direct applications.

12- How much does UWC cost?


- Each school and college sets its own fees. You can check individual school or college information pages for more details, or contact your relevant national committee.

13- Do students get scholarships?


- Yes, over 70% of the national committee-selected students have either a full or partial scholarship. Scholarships are based on financial need and they ensure our schools and colleges have students from a broad socio-economic background. Younger students can apply to UWC schools for bursaries.Usually, a scholarship covers room and tuition fees. They may also include Project Week activities, travel and pocket money.

14- What activities do students have?


- UWC schools and colleges offer lots of activities, far beyond the requirements of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme.
We believe that physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle are integral to a young person’s development. For example, Pearson College and Changshu China offer a range of water-sports and Atlantic College specialises in lifeguarding. Other schools and colleges provide mountaineering and environmental activities.
Community service is a vital part of our education because we think it helps young people to develop a sense of social responsibility and become involved in the area in which they live. Activities are diverse but can focus on:
the environment, such as recycling and biodiversity
community, including literacy, tutoring and supporting refugees
campus life, such as working in the library or learning first aid.

15- Where do students live?


- Students live in dorms on the school campuses. Students cannot choose to live off campus or in their own apartments. Students usually live with at least another roommate and share communal space. 


16- How safe are UWC campuses?


- Student safety is a priority for all of our schools and colleges. Staff work closely with students to create a safe community based on shared respect.

17- What is life like on campus?


- Students live at our colleges, while our schools have both day and residential students. Both offer a stimulating learning environment. And, through living, as well as studying, together, students learn about other cultures. 
Schools and colleges are located in areas of extreme natural beauty. Atlantic College for example is in St Donats Castle on the Welsh coast, and Red Cross Nordic is built in the Norwegian fjords, while UWC Adriatic is situated on the picturesque Adriatic coast.

For more information, visit https://www.uwc.org/education/schools-colleges

18- What support is available to students at school or college?


- The majority have full or part-time nurses on site, or on call. Some also have counsellors on campus to support students’ wellbeing. Some UWC staff live on campus, or in student residences, and play an important role in pastoral care.

19- Is UWC a school or a college?


- UWC is a 2-year high school program. It is similar to a college-prep program. A lot of the UWC schools are called colleges simply because the type of education and environment they provide is different than any other high school.

20- Where are the 18 UWCs located?


UWC’s 18 schools and colleges deliver a challenging and transformational education to nearly 8,000 students each year.
Each of our schools and colleges has a distinct character and identity. This is influenced by their locality in either urban or rural settings and each reflects cultural elements of its host community. But what makes each school or college special is the student body whose diversity makes it a unique place of learning.
While our schools or colleges accept students from many countries, they also welcome a significant number of students from their host country. But one thing they all share is the UWC values.

In each continent, there is at least one school, except for Australia.

-North America:
USA - https://www.uwc.org/school/uwc-usa-0
Canada - https://www.uwc.org/school/pearson-college-uwc-1

- Africa:
Swaziland: https://www.uwc.org/school/waterford-kamhlaba-uwc-0
East Africa: https://www.uwcea.org/

- Asia:
Singapore -https://www.uwc.org/school/uwc-south-east-asia-0
China -https://www.uwc.org/school/uwc-changshu-china
Thailand - https://www.uwc.org/school/uwc-thailand
Japan - https://www.uwc.org/school/uwc-isak-japan
Hong Kong - https://www.uwc.org/school/li-po-chun-uwc
India - https://www.uwc.org/school/uwc-mahindra-college-0

- Europe:
Bosnia and Herzegovina - https://www.uwc.org/school/uwc-mostar-0
Norway - https://www.uwc.org/school/uwc-red-cross-nordic-0 
Germany - https://www.uwc.org/school/uwc-robert-bosch-college-0
Italy - https://www.uwc.org/school/uwc-adriatic-0
United Kingdom - https://www.uwc.org/school/uwc-atlantic-college-0
Armenia - https://www.uwc.org/school/uwc-dilijan-0 
Netherlands - https://www.uwc.org/school/uwc-maastricht-0

- South America:
Costa Rica - https://www.uwc.org/school/uwc-costa-rica-0

21- What is the IB Diploma?


It’s one of the most well-regarded and widely known secondary school qualifications in the world and is recognised by the world’s leading universities. Visit the IB website to discover more about the history of the qualification and for a full list of colleges offering it.

22- What if I only want to attend for one year?


- No, you cannot attend for one year only. The UWC program is a 2-year program.

23- Can I transfer from one UWC to another?


-No, you cannot transfer.

24- Does each UWC offer a specialty or focus area?


- No, UWC teaches the International Baccalaureate.