About UWC

United World Colleges (UWC) is the only global educational movement (with no political or religious affiliation) 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. The mission of the UWC is

United World Colleges (UWC) makes education a force to unite people,
nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future.

UWC Locations

The United World Colleges originated in the ideas of the educationalist Kurt Hahn in the 1950s and the first United World College, Atlantic College, opened in Wales in 1962. Today, there are twelve United World Colleges in the UK, Costa Rica, Singapore, Canada, Swaziland, the USA, Italy, Venezuela, Hong Kong, Mostar, Norway and India. Each College has its own distinctive character but all share a common mission which has become more relevant than ever.

High academic standards, extensive community service and a wide range of cultural and outdoor activities are features of a UWC education. There is also great diversity: students come from a very wide range of backgrounds and it is common for more than 80 nationalities to be represented in a College at any one time. 27,000 Graduates are evidence of UWC's success—in most cases, a personal commitment to peace and international understanding has become a central part of these Graduates' lives.

Academic programme

The eleven United World Colleges follow one of three models: those offering a two-year pre-university education for students aged 16-19 based on the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum; those which offer this programme within a larger College but also provide students of younger ages with the opportunity to gain a UWC experience; and Simón Bolívar UWC of Agriculture which offers a three-year tertiary agricultural education and training for students aged 18-21.

Service and personal challenge

The academic curriculum forms just one part of UWC students' busy and diverse lives: an extensive programme of community service plays a central role in all the colleges, as well as numerous outdoor, creative and other activities designed to foster personal development. The shared experiences of living and working together in an intensive multicultural environment do much to build international understanding.

Short Courses

In addition to the ten United World Colleges, the UWC movement also offers a limited number of Short Courses each year. For more information on these, please visit www.uwc.org

UWC Values

• International and intercultural understanding
• Celebration of difference
• Personal responsibility and integrity
• Mutual responsibility and respect
• Compassion and service
• Respect for the environment
• A sense of idealism
• Personal challenge
• Action and personal example

NB This introduction to the United World Colleges is based on the information on the main United World Colleges Website - please visit this page for more information.