How to apply
to UWC
How to apply
to UWC
UWC students from Switzerland are selected on the basis of their interests, motivation and academic achievement. The personal aims and academic ambitions for later study are also taken into consideration. Scholarships are provided if necessary. The selection is made by the UWC Swiss Association.
An UWC education is aimed at particularly motivated young people with broad interests and the firm desire to go to school for two years at a UWC. Admission to the application process is granted to all students of the required age, who are currently attending a secondary school, which is usually domiciled in Switzerland and leads to the university entrance qualification. The Swiss nationality is not absolutely necessary, but familiarity with the Swiss way of life (i.e. long-term residence in Switzerland) is a prerequisite.
The Board of the UWC Swiss Association will accept applications for the two school years beginning end of August 2023 and ending June 2025 from students who are at least 16 years old but not yet 18 years old on June 30th, 2023.
The application deadline is 30 November 2022 (date of postmark).
International candidates apply through the Global Selection Programme and the Selection Days taking place on most continents.
The application documents must be sent to the following address:
Mr Jürgen Capitain
President of the Selection Committee
Lindenweg 16
CH-2532 Magglingen / BE.
Applications to UWC must include the following documents:
A handwritten accompanying letter, addressed to Mr Jürgen Capitain, is to be enclosed with the application dossier.
Pre-selection: On the basis of the written application the selection committee makes a pre-selection. The shortlisted candidates will be invited to the selection day in mid-January 2023 where they will write an essay (in an official Swiss language or in English, duration: 60 minutes) on a general topic and take part in a half-hour discussion with the selection committee.
The Executive Committee of the Swiss Association will make the final selection at the end of January 2023 with the additional impressions gained at the selection day. Successful applicants will then be informed and registered at their future colleges.
Start of school is August / September 2023.
The parents are expected to make a substantial contribution to the school fees in the form of donations to the UWC Swiss Association, which will transfer the entire school fee to the respective college. The amount of these donations depends on the financial resources of the parents and is agreed upon between the parents and the board after the student has been selected. Travel expenses and baggage fees are to be paid by the parents. During the application, the financial situation of the candidate is neither discussed nor is it a criterion for selection. Only the candidate’s fit and his/her individual abilities are considered.
The number of pupils selected depends on the quality of the applications as well as the available financial resources beyond each family's contribution for covering school fees.