We are looking for motivated and passionate young individuals who are eager to contribute to a diverse and dynamic learning environment.
To apply through our UWC national committee, you must meet the following criteria:
1. Age requirement
Applicants must be between 16 and 18 years old (i.e. date of birth between 2 September 2008 and 1 August 2010
inclusive) at the time of enrolment. This typically aligns with students entering the final two years of secondary education, but specific age requirements may vary by UWC school or college.
2. Residency and nationality
Candidates applying through UWC Aotearoa New Zealand must:
- Be New Zealand citizens, and therefore eligible for a New Zealand passport; and
- Be resident in Aotearoa New Zealand (excluding short holidays) for the full school year in 2025, and continue to be resident through the selection period in 2026
If you are unsure if you should apply to UWC Aotearoa New Zealand or via a different UWC national committee or other selection process, please contact [email protected] for clarification.
3. Educational background
UWC scholarships are primarily intended for students who will be in Year 11 in 2024, as the period of study at UWC corresponds to Years 12 and 13 of the Aotearoa New Zealand education system.
Year 12 (2025) students who meet the age criteria are welcome to apply, but should consider that they may have completed or almost completed university entrance requirements before the UWC academic year commences in August; and should be absolutely certain that they will want to undertake two further years of secondary school.
Year 10 (2025) students may apply if they are within the age range and will have received NCEA Level 1 Excellence endorsements in Mathematics and at least one Science subject by the end of January 2026, however students and their parents should consider whether the student’s emotional maturity will be sufficient to cope with two years far from home.
A student who is unsuccessful in one year may reapply in a subsequent year, provided they still meet age and other criteria.
Applicants must have a reference from their school confirming the applicant is either among the school’s top 5% in academic achievement, or has reasonable expectations of at least 75% of E and M grades across total NCEA achievement standards, and across at least 3 distinct subjects (or equivalent for other qualifications).
While a strong academic record is important, we also value a demonstrated commitment to learning beyond the classroom.
4. Personal qualities and values
While academic excellence is important, UWC seeks students who exhibit:
- A strong commitment to UWC’s values, including intercultural understanding, mutual respect, and sustainability.
- A desire to make a positive impact in their communities.
- The resilience and adaptability needed for an international and rigorous residential educational experience.
5. Language requirements
UWC schools and colleges primarily use English as the language of instruction. While fluency is not required at the time of application, applicants are advised to attain a basic proficiency in English and demonstrate a willingness to improve their language skills.
Students who have come through Kura Kaupapa or other Te Reo Māori medium schooling, and who wish to take Te Reo Māori as their first language for the IB can let us know at final selections, and we will liaise with the nominated UWC to see if that is possible. We will do our best to support that goal but cannot guarantee that it will be available.
Ready to Apply? If you meet the above criteria and are excited about the UWC experience, we encourage you to begin your application process. To start your application, please complete the registration form or contact us at [email protected].
Please note that you are only allowed to submit one application per academic year to study at UWC, even if you are eligible to apply via more than one UWC national committee.
We look forward to receiving your application and helping you embark on this life-changing journey!
If you don’t meet the criteria above, have a look at the UWC International site and find out more about other ways to apply to UWC.