UWC aspires to make education a force to unite nations and peoples to help them meet the challenges of the 21st century. UWC delivers a challenging and transformative educational experience to a diverse group of students, inspiring them to work towards a more peaceful and sustainable future.  

Today, UWC has 18 schools and colleges on 4 continents, the majority of which focus exclusively on the 16-19 year-old age group: a time when young people’s energy and idealism can be guided towards empathy, responsibility and lifelong action. These colleges teach the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma as their formal curriculum, a qualification that UWC played a major part in developing, while also emphasizing the importance of experiential learning, community service and outdoor activities. At UWC the language of instruction is English, although some colleges support education in Spanish and Russian, depending on staffing structure and location. Basic knowledge of English is helpful but not a requirement to apply.

The IB is a two year pre-university program with international recognition. It is administered  International Council of the International Baccalaureate Organization based in Geneva and Cardiff. The curriculum, which is used by over 1000 schools throughout the world, is internationally examined and specifically designed for international use. The program requires candidates for the full Diploma to study a range of six subjects; three at higher and three at standard level. All candidates must study their mother tongue and one other language chosen from a wide range available. To learn more about the IB please visit: http://www.ibo.org

Students at UWCs are selected entirely on the basis of merit and potential. Financial support is available on the basis of need, to the extent of providing full scholarships covering board and tuition costs, as well as travel if possible. However, for some Colleges students' parents may be asked and expected to make contributions to the costs of their attendance, travel and/or pocket money according to their ability to do so. Assessments of families' ability to make such contributions will be made as impartially as possible and by agreement between the UWC National/Selection Committee and the families concerned.