Scholarships and Selection

How to become a UWC Student

Entry to United World Colleges is competitive by selection.  In the year of taking up the scholarship, students should be in Grade 11 or 12 and aged 16 to 18 years old.

Selection of South African students for entry to the Colleges is the responsibility of the UWC Scholarship Trust of South Africa. The timing of the selection process varies, but it is necessary to apply no later than January in the year of entry. Most Colleges’ academic years commence in August or September; Waterford KaMhlaba follows the Southern Hemisphere pattern of entry in January.

Selection is solely on the basis of merit. Scholarship support means that students can be selected regardless of their financial means. Colleges, National Committees and the International Organisation raise scholarship funds from UWC graduates, friends, foundations, non-governmental organisations, companies, individual benefactors and governments. The number of places available to the UWC Scholarship Trust of South Africa in any year depends on the allocation by each College and the scholarship funds available.

The selection processes include written applications and subsequent regional and national selection days for selected candidates. Successful applicants must have the potential to excel academically, but of equal importance is a commitment to community service, enthusiasm for UWC’s ideals and, in Kurt Hahn’s words, a ‘grand passion’ such a music, drama or sport. The selection process looks for students with an open mind and the personal qualities which will enable them to live and study for two years in an intensive multicultural environment.

The language of teaching at the Colleges is English, and Spanish in the case of Simon Bolivar UWC.  Students are expected to learn Italian at UWC Adriatic and Spanish at UWC Costa Rica.  Applicants should not be discouraged by the lack of knowledge, but an enthusiasm for languages is an advantage for learning the language of instruction and the other languages encountered in daily life.

Application Process:

Applications for scholarships are taken from the November prior to the year in which the scholarship will be granted and the application deadline is the 31 January of the year in which the scholarship will be granted. Requests for application forms must be sent to the Regional Selection Chairs as listed on the Contacts page.  Applicants outside of the Cape and KZN must apply to the Gauteng Region.

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• South African citizens in Grade 11 or 12 in the year of taking up the scholarship
• Sound academic record with at least a C Aggregate in most recent exams and at least 4 Higher Level subjects
• All-round capabilities with demonstrable extra-curricular and community activities
• Passion to explore international and inter-cultural diversity

If you meet the above criteria please send a brief letter together with your personal details and most recent school report to the relevant Regional Chair.

Only candidates who meet the preliminary qualification criteria will be contacted.