Sign in
Applicants

Guidance

Thank you for choosing to apply to the United World Colleges. We are excited to have you as an applicant, and wish you every success!

This section contains important information regarding the application process. If you have any questions, please contact uwcindia@in.uwc.org and we will do our best to answer them as quickly as we can. Before applying, please check your eligibility. If you require any further clarifications regarding your eligibility please reach out to uwcindia@in.uwc.org.

1 — Initial preparation

Collect material that you will need in order to submit your application.

Documents and Information

To apply you will require the following documents:

  • Recent photograph of yourself
  • If you are an Indian citizen living in India, it is mandatory that you upload your Aadhaar card as proof of identity. Indian citizens living abroad have the option to upload their Aadhaar card, passport, or OCI card as proof of identity. Overseas citizens residing in India at the time of application have the option to upload their passport or Aadhaar card as proof of identity.
  • Grade 9 marksheet or your latest Grade 10 marksheet if you are currently in Grade 10.
  • If you are currently in Grade 11, your final Grade 10 marksheet.

You should be prepared with the following information:

  • Your top 3 preferences for UWC colleges
  • Information about the school you attend

People

Parent/Guardian: Speak to your parents/guardian about your application process.

  • You will need to provide details of parents/guardian
  • An email with a link will be sent to them
  • They will need to follow the link in a web browser and provide requisite information

Principal/Teacher: Speak to your school principal/teacher about giving you a recommendation. If you are currently in Grade 11, you should talk to your Grade 10 teacher or previous school principal.

  • You will need to provide an e-mail address for the principal or teacher that you nominate
  • An email with a link will be sent to them
  • They will need to follow the link in a web browser and provide requisite information, including a written recommendation

2 — Application Process & Selection Criteria

We’re looking for students who want to contribute to a better world, whatever their background.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must fulfil all the following conditions:

  • Indian Nationals or PIO/OCI Cardholders or residents in India at the time of application
  • Born between 1 September 2009 and 1 September 2011
  • Currently be in Grade 10 or 11 (home school or alternatively schooled equivalents acceptable)

Application Process

You are applying to study at one of 18 United World Colleges for two years, which will see you gain an International Baccalaureate Diploma.

The Application. This is the first of two stages of the selections process. You will be asked to complete an application form. As part of the online application form you will be required to answer a number of questions about yourself, write six essays, submit your school marksheets and provide us with references from your school principal / teacher. These will then be assessed by us.

Selection Activities. If you are shortlisted, you will be invited to interview with us. Typically the selections interview takes place at the UWC Mahindra College Campus.

Submit your Financial Assessment Form.Shortlisted applicants will also go through a financial assessment to determine their family’s ability to contribute to their education. All students attending a UWC are selected on demonstrated academic promise and potential as far as college funds allow. The financial situation of a family comes into play only once the candidates have been shortlisted. Scholarships are offered to students going by their merit rank order with demonstrated need for such financial help. Financial assistance is determined on the review of the Financial Assessment form which is required to be filled up by the parents / guardians of all applicants shortlisted for the interview.

Selection Criteria

Our students are selected based on their potential to build a better world. We look for merit based achievements in the context of “How has this applicant best made use of the opportunities available to them?”. Applicants will be assessed against the following UWC selection criteria and other criteria that the National Committee thinks relevant. Each year, we look for applicants to join our schools, who bring the following:

  • Intellectual curiosity: You love learning about the world around you — both inside and outside the classroom. You have at least one academic area that you are passionate about, and would like to explore further. You are able to recognise global and local issues, and analyse them critically.
  • Active commitment to your own values and those of UWC:You share UWC’s values and show a commitment to follow UWC’s code of conduct. You have humility and the ability to listen to, and value, other people’s opinions. You appreciate that although others may have different points of view, they may also be right. You promote UWC’s values in your daily life, and act as a global citizen of the world.
  • Social competence: You interact respectfully with others, understanding and appreciating their viewpoints and perspectives, and you are able to work within a team to find solutions to problems. You know how to express yourself appropriately in different situations and to different people.
  • Resilience, self-awareness and independence: You can look after yourself physically and emotionally during challenging situations, for example in a boarding school environment. You have developed good coping strategies, and you are not easily overwhelmed. You also know when to ask for help for yourself, and for others.
  • Personal responsibility and integrity: You can express and examine your own values, and you are ready to contrast and reflect on them in comparison to the values of others. The way you behave within your family and community reflects your values and beliefs. You can communicate your own needs and are mindful of those of others, demonstrating a sense of communal responsibility.
  • Academic robustness: You have the potential to meet the rigorous demands of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.

3 — How To Apply

Step by step guide to the application process.

1. Check your eligibility. To apply to the United World Colleges India National Committee applicants must fulfil all the following conditions:

  • Indian Nationals or PIO/OCI Cardholders or residents in India at the time of application
  • Born between 1 September 2009 and 1 September 2011
  • Currently in Grade 10 or 11 (home school or alternatively schooled equivalents acceptable)

If you require any further clarifications regarding your eligibility please reach out to uwcindia@in.uwc.org

2. Create an account. Use a valid personal email id to begin creating your account.

3. Application fee payment. To initiate your application through this portal you must make your payment via credit/debit card, netbanking, wallets, or UPI payment. All payments must be made by an adult with due consent of the cardholder/account holder.

4. Personal and academic details.

  1. To make your application process easier, keep your personal details (i.e. address, proof of identity, photograph) handy
  2. If you are an Indian citizen living in India, it is mandatory that you upload your Aadhaar card as proof of identity. Indian citizens living abroad have the option to upload their Aadhaar card, passport, or OCI card as proof of identity. Overseas citizens residing in India at the time of application have the option to upload their passport or Aadhaar card as proof of identity.
  3. Keep a scanned and attested copy of your Grade 9 marksheet or your latest Grade 10 marksheet if you are currently in Grade 10. If you are currently in Grade 11, keep your final Class 10 marksheet.
  4. Read about UWC campuses and finalize your preferences for UWCs
  5. Have your school details ready

5. Parent Consent and School Recommendation.

  1. Speak to your parents and let them know they will also need to fill in a section of your form pertaining to parents
  2. Speak to your chosen faculty member about writing you a recommendation and what they can expect and ensure that they will be willing to write you a recommendation before you submit their details as part of your application.
  3. You are required to nominate only one parent/guardian and one teacher to fill in these sections of your application form

6. Plan Essays. Take a look at the essay questions and plan your responses. You can save your application in progress. Take time to prepare your responses and then resume your application.

7. Recommendations.

  1. From your application dashboard you nominate one teacher and one parent/guardian by entering their email address. A secure link is then emailed to each of them — your teacher to provide a written recommendation, and your parent/guardian to give consent.
  2. We recommend nominating your teacher and parent/guardian early, so they have enough time to complete their sections before the deadline.
  3. Ensure that you confirm with your selected faculty member, that they will be willing to write you a recommendation before you submit their details as part of your application.

8. Submit application.

  1. Read through the details you have entered
  2. Ensure that the documents you have uploaded are correct, attested, legible and in the right format
  3. Confirm the details of your faculty members and parents that you have entered
  4. Confirm the academic details you have submitted
  5. Review your essay responses
  6. Once you are sure of your application, click on the ‘Submit’ button to submit it
  7. Your application will not be considered complete until we receive the parent consent and your teacher's recommendation

9. Follow up.

  1. Once you have submitted your application, you can follow up with your nominated faculty member for their recommendation and parent for their consent
  2. You do not need to wait for them — you can submit your own application as soon as your sections are complete. Your application is considered complete only whenyour submission, your parent/guardian’s consent, and your teacher’s recommendation have all been received.
  3. You will be notified of your application progress at your registered email address
  4. You will get a confirmation email after you, your parent/guardian, and your nominated teacher/principal successfully complete and submit the application

4 — Important Information

Financial Requirements

You and your family’s financial situation will not affect the selection process. We do have some financial aid available, to qualify for which, shortlisted candidates will need to fill in a financial assessment form that will help us assess the financial aid requirement.

Eligibility Requirements

  1. Indian Nationals or PIO/OCI Cardholders or residents in India at the time of application
  2. Born between 1 September 2009 and 1 September 2011
  3. Currently in Grade 10 or 11 (home school or alternatively schooled equivalents acceptable)

Parental Consent

We will need one of your parents or guardians to fill out the parental consent form which is part of the application process.

Application Fee

  • Early bird: ₹3,800.00 if payment is made on or before 15 July 2026.
  • Standard: ₹4,800.00 if payment is made on or before 31 August 2026.
  • Late fee: ₹5,800.00 if payment is made on or before 16 September 2026.
  • The applicable fee is determined based on the payment date, not the final submission date.
  • The fee is non-refundable, even if your application is not successful.
  • Please ensure that you have reviewed the eligibility criteria and detailed instructions on the application process before making the payment.
  • Once the payment is made, it cannot be refunded or transferred.

Deadline

Applications portal for Entries 2027 will close at 23:59 on 15 September 2026. If you apply on 15 September 2026 or very close to the date of portal closing, please ensure you have everything ready to complete and submit your application before the portal closes - no extensions will be granted. Your application is complete only once:

  • You have filled out all sections of the application
  • You have submitted your marksheet(s)
  • Your parents/guardians have sent in their consent form
  • Your school principal/teacher has sent in their recommendation, and
  • You have clicked on ‘Submit application’ at the end of your application and have received a confirmation email from us

The United World Colleges India National Committee