Registration is now open for young people who want to study the International Baccalaureate abroad: how to apply
The United World Colleges (UWC) organization has opened its application process in Colombia for the 2026–2028 International Baccalaureate (IB) academic program. Those interested can apply until July 31, 2025, through the official UWC Colombia website.
UWC (United World Colleges) is an international educational network founded in the 1950s by German educator Kurt Hahn and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. The movement seeks to foster intercultural understanding through education. One of its greatest proponents was Nelson Mandela, whose legacy of social equity remains embedded in UWC's mission.
It offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) program in 18 schools located in different countries. Photo: Facebook UWC Colombia
Currently, UWC has 18 colleges around the world and more than 60,000 graduates. All of them offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program, a two-year curriculum globally recognized for its academic rigor and humanistic approach.
Where are the UWC colleges located? The schools are distributed in various countries, including:
- UWC Atlantic College – Wales, United Kingdom
- UWC South East Asia – Singapore
- UWC Waterford Kamhlaba – Kingdom of Eswatini
- UWC Maastricht – Netherlands
- UWC Red Cross Nordic – Norway
- UWC Pearson College – Canada
- UWC Mahindra College – India
- UWC Mostar – Bosnia and Herzegovina
- UWC Dilijan – Armenia
- UWC Thailand – Thailand
- UWC Costa Rica – Costa Rica
- UWC Robert Bosch College – Germany
- UWC East Africa – Tanzania
- UWC Adriatic College – Italy
- UWC USA – United States
- UWC Isak – Japan
- UWC Li Po Chun – Hong Kong
- UWC Changshu China – China
UWC Colombia has been an active member of this network for 50 years. Its national committee organizes annual competitions to select high-potential students, who are evaluated by volunteers, alumni, faculty, parents, and psychologists. Since its inception with a single spot granted by Pearson College in Canada, Colombia now has 290 active alumni and 25 students currently enrolled in 14 UWC colleges.
Colombian students making a difference Among the Colombian graduates, the following stand out:
- Ervin Liz: Graduated from UWC Red Cross Nordic in 2012. He was recognized with the Young Alumni Impact Award for his work with the Nasa indigenous community in Cauca and for founding Native Root Coffee, a company that exports coffee grown by his family and neighbors.
- Yusang Bejarano: Graduated from UWC Dilijan in 2021. He is currently researching biomedical engineering at Case Western Reserve University (USA), where he is developing medical devices to treat sickle cell anemia.
At the international level, figures such as Malala Yousafzai , Nobel Peace Prize winner 2014, and Princess Leonor of Spain, both graduates of UWC Atlantic College, also stand out.
UWC Colombia has opened its 2026–2028 application period for young people between the ages of 15 and 18. Photo: iStock
- Access to quality international education: The IB program at UWC offers a rigorous, multicultural academic foundation.
- Comprehensive development: fosters leadership, resilience, empathy, and teamwork.
- Global network: Students join an international community that facilitates personal and professional opportunities.
- Access to higher education : Most graduates access foreign universities with financial aid.
- Be between 15 and 18 years old in August 2026 (born between August 1, 2008 and August 1, 2011).
- Be enrolled in 9th, 10th or 11th grade in the second semester of 2025 (or 9th if it is an international school with a MYP program).
- Not being enrolled in higher education.
- Be Colombian or permanent resident.
- Apply maximum twice.
- Make the registration payment or justify why you cannot do so.
- Pre-registration: until July 15, 2025, 11:59 pm
- Full application deadline: July 31, 2025, 11:59 pm
More information and registration form: www.co.uwc.org
How to support UWC Colombia? Eighty percent of the selected students receive financial support thanks to donations from alumni, families, foundations, businesses, and governments. Donations can be made through:
- PSE from the website
- PayPal
- Deposit in Bancolombia:
- Savings account: 17816624258
- Headline: Colombian Association of United World Colleges – ACOMUNDO
- NIT: 900.166.868-3
*This content was rewritten with the assistance of artificial intelligence, based on information from UWC Colombia, and reviewed by a journalist and an editor.
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