FAQs
- What are the United World Colleges?
United World Colleges are upper-level secondary schools that aim at bringing together young people from different countries to study together. For some students, this means eleventh and twelfth grades, and for others it means the equivalent of twelfth and thirteenth grades. The colleges offer two-year residential program, for young people aged 16 - 19 years old, during which they complete the International Baccalaureate (IB).
- What is the International Baccalaureate (IB)?
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) provides an internationally accepted qualification for entry into higher education and is recognised by many universities worldwide. IBDP students complete assessments in six subjects, one from each subject group, and three core requirements.
- What is the UWC offer/scholarship? Is it a university scholarship? No, UWC scholarship is NOT a University scholarship. It is a two-year scholarship offered by the UWC Movement for students to pursue the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma at United World Colleges overseas.
- How does the selection process look like?
Please refer to the How to Apply page.
- What do offers cover?
They usually cover tuition fees, accommodation, food and books. Scholarships do not normally include the cost of transport to the school, the cost of visas, or pocket money, which legal guardians are expected to cover. In special circumstances, the school or the selection committee will be able to pay for personal expenses. All students, regardless of their ability to pay, are therefore encouraged to apply.
- By when should I send all my application materials and documents? Please refer back to the application form and UWC Sudan’s website and social media pages.
- I am not fluent in English, does this matter?
No. Do not be discouraged from applying to UWC because of a lack of fluency in English. It is not a requirement to apply, but English will be the main language in the UWC colleges.
- How many offers are available? The number of offers available through UWC to National Committees varies each year, depending on the scholarships/offers allocated to the National Committee for that particular year. National Committees do not make that decision.
- I have not obtained my academic reports for this semester. Can I still apply to UWC?
Yes, you can still apply to UWC. Please submit all other required documents by the deadline.
- Is it okay to send some of my supporting documents in Arabic?
Yes, you can send your supporting documents (transcripts and/or reference forms in Arabic).
- How can I convince my parents to let me go to UWC?
This decision is ultimately between you and your parents. You can always refer them to us for more information, and we can put them in contact with Sudanese parents of alumni who have attended one of the UWC Colleges.
- What happens after I attend a UWC College?
There are many wonderful opportunities that are available for UWC Students once they graduate and finish IB. One popular option for a lot of UWC students are applying to attend university in various places around the world and especially in the U.S. as Shelby Davis Scholar. Other UWC students go on to take gap years and volunteer around the world.
- How to apply? You will find all the instructions provided on the website, or the link in our bio on our social media pages. Please ensure you follow the instructions thoroughly and apply correctly. If you choose to handwrite your application, please ensure your handwriting is clear, neat and legible. When uploading your application, make sure the uploads are clear.
- What is the age criteria? Please refer back to the application form and posts on our social media pages.
- How does the NC decide the age criteria? The National Committee (NC) does not decide the age criteria. The age criteria is determined by the school and the country’s government where the school is based.
- Can I study medicine after IB? It is possible, however, it is highly competitive, especially in the USA. In Europe, while opportunities exist, the chances of securing a spot in medical schools can also be limited due to high competition as well as lack of funding for international students.
- Can students choose which UWC they want to attend? You should be open to accept studying at any of the UWC schools that you will be nominated to.
- In what language can you fill the application form? The application form can be filled out in either English or Arabic, depending on which language the applicant is more comfortable with. Additionally, guardians and referees can complete their sections of the form in either Arabic or English, based on their preference.
- Who can be a referee? A referee should be someone who knows you well but is not a parent or family member, such as a teacher, headmaster, community member, or extracurricular supervisor. A friend can also be a referee if you have worked together in a professional or academic capacity and can speak truthfully about your academic potential, character, and goals.
- When is the application going to be open? Please refer back to the application form, UWC Sudan website and our social media pages to find out the opening and closing dates.
- What are the required documents?
- Valid Passport
- Refugee document recognised by UNHCR (If applicable)
- Birth certificate
- Results for 3 academic years
- What can I include in my application? Can I attach certificates for extracurricular activities and courses? Yes, you can attach certificates for extracurricular activities and courses. Additionally, feel free to include any other documents and/or information that will help us better understand who you are as a person. The more you share about yourself, the better we will be able to get to know you and your unique qualities.
- How do I contact the UWC Sudan National Committee? You can contact us via the following channels. If you choose to reach out by email, please make sure to clearly state the purpose of your message in the subject line. This will help us respond to you more efficiently.
- If I have additional documents or information to add to my application after the deadline, how can I share them with you? You can send the additional documents or information via email. Please make sure to include the topic in the subject line. In addition, make sure to include your full name in the email, along with any other details that will help us identify your application. This will allow us to process your request efficiently and ensure the documents are properly associated with your application.
- Can I apply if I have never lived in Sudan? Yes, you can as long as you hold a Sudanese passport. However, preference will be given to candidates who have previously resided in Sudan. While living in Sudan is not a mandatory requirement, it is preferred.
- If I am not able to sign, can I just write my name? Yes, you can. However, guardians and referees must sign. You may also request them to sign and write the date on another piece of paper, and you upload it with other documents.
- Can I attach more than one reference form? One reference form is enough.
- Do high grades mean high acceptance? Grades are considered during the application review as the IB is a hard program and requires a good academic standing, but also the strength of your application also plays a role.
- What after I apply? After you apply, you will be contacted by the NC if you proceed to the next stage (Group activities and interviews). However, due to the large number of applicants, you might not be contacted within the timeline provided in the application form if you are not selected.
- What if I have not been contacted? However, due to the large number of applicants, you might not be contacted within the timeline provided in the application form if you are not selected. But it might also mean that you wrote your email wrong in the application, so make sure that your email is right before submitting the application form.
- If my English is not strong, how should I answer the mandatory UWC Essay question in English? We are not assessing your English proficiency, so please answer the essay question using whatever vocabulary you are comfortable with.
- What will strengthen my application? Please focus on providing clear, organised, and well-presented answers. Be honest about your experiences and aspirations. A thoughtful, well-structured application will help us better understand your potential.