Application Process
The selection process consists of a written application, a first interview (consisting of group interview, discussion, and individual interview), and a final interview.
Below are the main steps of the application and selection process:
Step 1: Application form
You need to complete the written application form on our external application site and submit it. Additionally, you make sure to have sent invitations to at least two references. You have also informed your parents about UWC and uploaded their signed consent as well as your grades from grade 9. Finally, you have paid the application fee of 200 SEK or have been granted an exemption by the selection coordinator. All these steps must be completed before the deadline in order for us to assess your application.
For a more detailed explanation, please visit the page Apply for entry 2024-26.
Once your application is submitted, a selection committee consisting of at least two experienced board members will review your documents and answers and decide whether you will proceed to the next stage of the selection process.
Due to the large number of strong applications we receive and our limited scholarship funds, it is possible that many talented and suitable candidates will not be selected. We therefore recommend that you take the time to write your application in a thorough manner and in a way that represents you well.
Your references will have up until the 29th of December to submit their recommendation letters.
You will receive an answer as to whether or not you are invited to the first interview within 2 weeks of the deadline, or by the 30th of December.
Step 2: The first interview
The first interview takes about 3 hours and is designed to allow you to learn more about UWC, meet former UWC students and other applicants. In addition to an individual interview of approximately 20-25 minutes conducted by UWC alumni, there will be group activities and interviews as well as opportunities to ask questions.
The individual interviews may be conducted in either Swedish or English, depending on the preference of the applicant. The group activities and interviews will only be conducted in English.
Students are assessed according to our selection criteria and the results from both the individual and group interviews are compiled to make the selection for the final interview.
You will be informed whether or not you have been selected for the final interview within 1 week of the first interview date.
Step 3: Ranking your college choices
If you have made it to the final interview, we will send you a form where you can prioritize which colleges you want to go to. We will take your choices into account, but ultimately we will decide which college to offer a scholarship to. Our choice is based on several factors, but mainly on the fact that there are only a limited number of scholarships for each college. We also do not send students to every college every year. Where we end up sending our students depends on which schools offer us places and our current financial situation.
We expect candidates who choose to participate in the final interview to be prepared to accept a scholarship to any UWC college we may offer, even one that was ranked low on their form. Ultimately, all UWC schools have far more in common with each other than they have differences.
Step 4: The final interview
After the first round of interviews, around 20 candidates are invited to a more formal and fully individual final interview with the UWC Sverige Board in Stockholm. The final interview takes about 1 hour in total and consists of two separate sub-interviews of about 20 minutes each. The language of the interviews is Swedish or English, depending on the candidate's preference.
The first sub-interview assesses your intellectual curiosity, academic robustness and commitment to the values and ideals of the UWC. For this sub-interview, you will prepare a 5-minute presentation, conducted without aids, on a topic of your choice that you find important or interesting.
The second part of the interview assesses your social competence, resilience, self-awareness, independence, and personal integrity.
You will receive a decision on whether you are offered a scholarship within 3 weeks of the interview date.
If you are an unsuccessful candidate, we will ask you if you would like to remain on our reserve list in case someone declines their place, or we will suggest alternatives such as attending a UWC short course or encourage you to apply again next year, provided you still meet our formal requirements for applicants.
Step 5: The nomination process begins
Once all the scholarships have been awarded and the new scholarship holders have accepted their places, we will begin the process of nominating our selected students to UWC schools around the world. As part of this process, we will have a discussion with the parents about the size of their financial contribution to UWC Sverige as described on the Scholarship Details and For Parents & Guardians pages. The basis for that discussion is what it would have cost to have a 17-year-old living at home for the duration of a UWC education.
The nomination process involves several steps, including some forms and documents that need to be completed and signed, but the whole process is expected to be completed within 1 month. Once the nominations are submitted, the UWC Colleges will officially enroll you as a student and become your main contact with UWC.
Further information
Further information about the selection process can be found in our FAQs and on the Important Dates page. UWC Sverige follows UWC's general selection criteria, admission policy and makes sure to select candidates in accordance with UWC's values and principles.