UWC sounds amazing, but I am worried that my parents could never afford it. Should I apply? 

The price of a UWC education is well out of the reach of most Zimbabwean families, so the vast majority of students attend UWC on some form of scholarship. Once a student has been accepted by the UWC Zimbabwe National Committee and the school, the National Committee and the school will carry out a financial assessment of the student and their family circumstances, to determine how much scholarship coverage is needed. The UWC movement is committed to ensuring that no student is unable to attend because of financial circumstances. 

 

I already did Lower Sixth/Upper Sixth/university. Can I apply? 

UWC schools offer a two-year Sixth Form programme. All candidates re-start Lower Sixth in August or January (for Swaziland). Upper Sixth or post-Sixth Form candidates will find themselves repeating their qualifications and would be advised to seek tertiary education opportunities. 

 

I am looking for a university scholarship? 

All the UWC schools are high schools. The IB diploma is the equivalent of an A-level diploma. If you already have A-levels, you should apply to a university programme, not to UWC. 

 

I missed the deadline. Can you look at my application?

Unfortunately, the Zimbabwe National Committee is offered a very limited number of places each year, for which we receive a high number of applications, so we do not consider any applications that are received after the February deadline. 

 

 I didn't get 7 As for O-level. Can I apply? 

The IB is a rigorous academic programme. While the focus of UWC is on service and social change, students are expected to maintain a very high academic standard. The UWC Zimbabwe National Committee uses O-level grades to determine whether students will cope with both the social and academic rigour. However, students with strong academic backgrounds who were unable to write 7 O-levels because of school limitations should not be discouraged from applying. 

 

My parents are concerned that I won't be able to get into university if I don't do A-Levels. Should I apply? 

UWC students complete the International Baccalaureate, a rigorous international diploma that is highly respected by the majority of rigorous tertiary institutions. UWC Zimbabwe candidates have gone on to study at Ivy League universities, highly selective Liberal Arts programmes in the USA, respected British and European institutions, top-ranked Canadian schools, South African universities, and the most selective Zimbabwean university programmes. 

 

Should I apply through the Zimbabwe National Committee? 

I grew up in Malawi, but my parents are Zimbabwean, can I apply?

My dad is Peruvian and my mum is Kenyan, but I have lived in Zimbabwe all my life, can I apply?

I am Zimbabwean but I spent last year on foreign exchange in Germany, can I apply?

The UWC Zimbabwe National Committee is expected to send students who will represent Zimbabwe on their UWC campuses. We recognise that there is a rich diversity of ways that students engage with and represent Zimbabwe, so we consider all students on a case by case basis, rather than having strict rules about citizenship or residency.  That being said, if you are resident in another country at the time of applications, you should approach the National Committee of your current country, as they will be more likely to consider you for UWC. You might also consider the UWC Global Selection Programme, which does not have residency/nationality requirements.  

 

I applied last year, but I did not get in. Can I apply again? 

Usually not. UWC is a sixth form programme so students who are already well into their A levels will be repeating school years. 

 

I applied to the Global Selection Programme. Can I apply to the National Committee as well? 

NO. The GSP and NC  processes are mutually exclusive. Once you have started one process, you cannot be considered for the other process. 

 

For more general questions about UWC, check the UWC website. Or contact us on selection@zw.uwc.org.