I’m a New Zealand resident, but not a citizen. Can I still apply?

Yes, but not to the New Zealand committee. The only exceptions are as follows:

• If you are in the process of applying for NZ citizenship, you should contact us for more information.
• If you are eligible to apply for NZ citizenship, but have not yet done so, please note that the citizenship application process cannot be completed in the time necessary to apply for UWC; citizenship applications are unlikely to be fast-tracked for UWC applicants.
• Some national committees accept applications from their citizens regardless of residence - check with the national committee of your citizenship, or go to UWC.org for more information.

I’m a New Zealand citizen, but I live overseas. Can I apply to the New Zealand committee?

No. You should contact the national committee in the country you live in – there is a list of national committees at UWC.org. If you are not eligible in your country of residence, and you are able to meet the full fees of a UWC place, contact us or your local national committee to see about applying for an “International Quota” place. These are only available at some of the colleges, and there is no scholarship funding available for them.

I live in New Zealand but I can’t apply to the New Zealand committee, and I’m not eligible to apply anywhere else either. Is there any way I can apply to UWC?

You should always contact the New Zealand committee first. If you’re not eligible to apply through us, and you are able to meet the full fees of a UWC place, we will put you in touch with the UWC International Office, who will be able to advise on “International Quota” places. These are only available at some of the colleges, and there is no scholarship funding available for them.

I applied last year but didn’t get a scholarship. Can I apply again?

So long as you are still within the age limit, yes, you are welcome to apply again. We have a number of scholars who were unsuccessful the first time they applied, but were selected the following year.

I applied to UWCNZ but I didn’t get a scholarship. Can I apply straight to the college instead?

No. UWC scholarships are only awarded through national committees; International Quota places are only awarded after confirming ineligibility with the relevant national committees.

Can I choose which UWC I attend?

Not directly, but we may ask you your preferences. However, you should be prepared for the possibility of being sent somewhere else altogether.

How much does it cost?

Scholars are only asked to contribute the amount they have pledged. The NZ UWC Committee commits to sending at least one scholar each year. If needed, this scholarship will cover all tuition fees, airfares, insurance, visas, and pocket money. However, any pledge you make will improve our ability to provide other scholarships, both in the year you apply and in the future.

For the most expensive places, at UWC of the Atlantic, UWC-IBO Mostar, and Red Cross Nordic UWC, we only send students if they meet all costs themselves – this is because the cost of a place of Atlantic would cover two places at one of the less expensive colleges.

How do you assess how much I should pay?

We don't have a formal financial evaluation. It’s up to you to pledge how much you can afford.

How does the whole “blind pledge” merit order thing work?

Here’s an entirely hypothetical example.

Six students come to national selections. By some weird coincidence, they are merit ranked in alphabetical order...

After topping up the difference between Chloe’s pledge and her part scholarship, Committee funds are now fully committed.

No further envelopes opened, no further scholarships awarded.

However, if Daniel had ranked 2nd, and the committee had insufficient funds to top up the difference between his pledge and a part scholarship, it would work out like this:

I’d really like to apply, but my parents aren’t keen. Can you help?

Attending a UWC is a big transition for many families. If you or your parents have any questions about anything to do with UWCs, do get in touch, and we’ll see what we can do to answer any concerns. We will do our best to answer questions ourselves and/or put you in touch with past scholars and their parents.

I’ve got a sports event on the weekend of final selections, could you please reschedule?

Unfortunately we cannot accommodate applicants' individual schedules. We start to arrange the final selection weekend well before applications even come in, and we rely on the good will of our volunteers. It would therefore be impossible to pick a date that suited every potential applicant.

I’ve been accepted for an overseas exchange, but if I go I’ll miss UWC selections. Can you tell me what my chances are of getting a scholarship, so I can decide whether or not to go on the exchange?

We cannot predict your chances of receiving a place at a UWC. Given the highly competitive nature of UWC scholarships, we would always recommend you take up the overseas exchange rather than risk missing out on both.

What do you do to prevent bias in the selection process?

We take applications seriously and do our best to create a fair process for everyone. If any potential selection panel member has had a prior personal association (whether as their family member, friend, or teacher) with an applicant, we require them to step aside from selection for that year.

I have special dietary needs (vegetarian/vegan/food allergies/religious requirements), can I still apply?

Absolutely! The colleges each have diverse student bodies and well-established processes for arranging to meet any student’s dietary requirements. We will also do our best to meet your dietary needs during the selection process.

Still have questions?

Send us an email at selection.nz@nc.uwc.net