UWC Global Selection Programme (GSP)
The UWC Global Selection Programme is an application route for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) for a limited number of places at some UWCs. Currently, you can apply to 16 of the 18 UWC international schools and colleges via this route.
The UWC Global Selection Programme is coordinated by UWC International and the UWC schools, in close cooperation with the UWC national committees. Experienced UWC selection volunteers from across the movement participate in different stages of the selection process.
At most UWC schools and colleges, the academic year begins in August. The exception to this rule is Waterford Kamhlaba UWC of Southern Africa, where the academic year begins in January.
Applications for entry 2021 are now open. Please follow this link to set up an application profile and check your eligibility.
UWC Global Selection Programme applications are open on a rolling basis.
Decisions are released in two periods:
- Early decision: If you submit your application form before 20 November 2020, you will be notified of the decision no later than 10 December 2020.
- Regular decision: For applications received between December 2020 and March 2021, notifications will be rolling throughout February to April depending on availability of places.
Please note that applicants who choose the GSP route forgo financial assistance. You can find information about our school fees here. If you need a scholarship to attend UWC, please have a look at the UWC national committee entry-route, as described in this section.
Application Process
Each of our schools and colleges has its own distinct character and identity, influenced by their host country, the specific setting, cultural context and their community. What makes each one of them a UWC is a deliberately diverse student body, with students coming from all over the world, bringing with them very different backgrounds to learn and live together - and their joined mission to make education a force for peace and sustainability.
Our schools and colleges offer a unique and challenging learning experience. To determine whether UWC is the right option for you, our application process seeks to learn as much as possible about you, and gives you the opportunity to learn more about us along the way. All applicants are assessed according to the UWC Selection Criteria.
The UWC Global Selections Programme selection process consists of the following stages:
Stage 1: GSP Application Form
The first stage of your application requires you to complete a common GSP Application Form hosted on our online Applications portal. Through your GSP application, you can choose to apply:
- to a single school,
- to up to 3 schools,
- or to any of the 16 schools admitting students through GSP.
Your application journey begins when you set up a username and password that you will use to access your application as you move through the process.
Stage 2: Initial Interview
If your GSP Application is shortlisted, you will be invited to an online interview with the admissions office/s of the UWC school/s of your choice. Before this interview, you will be required to submit additional documentation such as reference letters, transcripts or others. Your parents or guardians may be invited for an interview at this stage.
Stage 3: GSP Assessment Session
If you advance after the initial interview, you will be required to participate in a series of online activities including: group activities, a project presentation and an emotional wellbeing questionnaire.
Stage 4: Additional interviews
If you advance after stage 3, we may invite you and your parents/guardians to meet with faculty members of your UWC school/s of choice. You may be invited for more than one additional interview, depending on each individual case.
The attention to detail during this process allows you to understand and appreciate the nature of a UWC education and the specific learning environment and expectations of the individual schools.
After the final stage, the admissions directors of each school will make final decisions and make an offer to accepted candidates. You will be notified of the decision according to your selected application timeline: no later than 10 December 2020 for Early decision and no later than 31 March 2021 for Regular decision.
Would you like to know more about our schools and colleges?
If you have any questions about a specific school, its campus, the academic and extracurricular offer, availability of additional support, or other questions, you may contact them directly to find out more.
Questions?
