Eligibility Criteria
The UWC movement seeks outstanding students who want to become change-makers for a better world, regardless of their socio-economic, religious, national, ethnic or cultural background. If you are a passionate learner, and excited about the prospect of studying and living with young people from around the world, a UWC education is for you. If the UWC mission for a more peaceful and sustainable future inspires you, please apply!
UWC Nigerian National Committee Selection Criteria
UWC is a unique organisation. It is the only global educational NGO that brings students together from all over the world, selected from within their own countries, on merit and regardless of their ability to pay. These students come together at one of eighteen UWC schools and colleges that aim to foster international peace and understanding.
UWC believes that to achieve peace and a sustainable future, the values it promotes are crucial:
- International and intercultural understanding
- Celebration of difference
- Personal responsibility and integrity
- Mutual responsibility and respect
- Compassion and service
- Respect for the environment
- A sense of idealism
- Personal challenge
- Action and personal example
Each college offers selected students a two-year course of study before entry into university.
In addition to academics, the programme of activities emphasises concern for others through community service activities. Emphasis is also placed on outdoor adventures and creative pursuits. Students attending UWC sit for the International Baccalaureate examinations at the end of the two years.
The IB Diploma is recognised for university entrance worldwide.
Successful applicants will usually be aged 16 to 17 in Year 11 or 12 (or equivalent) and demonstrate the following qualities:
- Academic strengths which indicate a strong likelihood of success in the IB programme;
- Willingness to befriend and learn from people whose ideas, beliefs and cultural backgrounds may be very different to their own;
- The ability to gain the most from the opportunity and to contribute to college life (relevant qualities include a commitment to service, an openness of mind, enthusiasm, balance, good humour, the ability to thrive in a foreign environment, emotional strength, and physical fitness);
- An active contributor to the life of their school or wider community;
- Involvement in cultural, artistic or sporting activities.
Candidates must be thoroughly articulate so that they may be able to advance their views and those of their country, of which they will be seen as representatives. Every student sent to a UWC must be of the quality one would like to see representing his or her own country alongside very carefully selected students from other countries. Experience has shown that successful students are those who come with a clear awareness of the aims of the UWC and a personal commitment to contribute to them.
Parents (or guardians) are responsible for signing the application form, but the decision to apply must lie above all with the candidates themselves.
To be eligible to apply as a student, one must typically meet the following criteria.
- Applicants must be Nigerian. (Non-Nigerians resident in Nigeria may apply either through their own national committees or directly to individual UWCs through the Global Selection Programme).
- Applicants must have demonstrated outstanding academic ability and must have obtained the Senior School Certificate SSC/GCE 'O Levels or their recognised equivalent.
- Exceptional applicants in SS3 may also apply based on their record of continuous assessment in the previous two years.
- Applicants must not be younger than 16 or older than 17 years by September 2025 (birth certificate required).
NOTE: Candidate can be a resident in any part of the globe.