12 UWC Colleges
Today there are twelve United World Colleges around the world, all sharing a common mission and core values, but each with its own distinctive character.
Click on a country or scroll down this page to take a brief tour of the Colleges.
UK, Norway, Italy, Bosnia, Swaziland, India, Singapore, HongKong, Canada, USA, CostaRica, Venesuela
Lester B Pearson UWC of the Pacific
Canada
Founded in 1974 on the vision and drive of Lester Pearson, Canadian Prime Minister and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, the College’s strong commitment to leadership and community service is further supported by an innovative three-year option that, like VSA, enables students to contribute a full year of service to volunteer projects in various countries.
Located among the ancient forests on Canada’s west coast the College’s setting lends itself to a strong environmental focus, including the pioneering Race Rocks ecological reserve, and outdoor pursuits like diving, sailing and wilderness expeditions. Link to Pearson UWC.
UWC of the Atlantic
UnitedKingdom
The dramatic 12th Century St Donat’s castle on the coast of Wales was gifted to UWC by Antonin Besse to provide the stunning campus for Atlantic College, the first of the United World Colleges opening in 1962.
The College’s strong focus on service encompasses a wide range of activities from running outdoor pursuits courses for disabled children t or working with local schools to running the coastal rescue service. Link to Atlantic College.
Red Cross Nordic UWC
Norway
Red Cross Nordic UWC opened in 1995 on the beautiful shores of Flekke Fjord in mountainous Western Norway. The College became a reality through the cooperative efforts and inspiration of many organisations, including the Norway UWC national Committee, the Norwegian Red Cross and the host municipality. It is funded by the government of Norway, supported by the other Nordic countries and private sponsors.
The traditions of both the Nordic countries and the Red Cross are reflected in its emphasis on humanitarian and environmental concerns. Link to Red Cross Nordic UWC.
United World College – USA
United States of America
UWC-USA was founded in 1982 by philanthropist Armand Hammer, with encouragement of HRH The Prince of Wales, then UWC President.
Its campus centrepiece Montezuma Castle is also home of the Bartos Institute for the Constructive Engagement of Conflict. UWC-USA established this Institute to emphasise the importance for students to learn skills in conflict resolution and to provide a venue for the training or hosting of those with experience of conflict situations. Link to UWC-USA.
Mahindra UWC of India
India
Generous funding by Mahindra & Mahindra, one of India’s leading business houses, provided for the establishment of The Mahindra UWC of India in 1997.
Perched on the mountains overlooking the valley of the Mula River, students at Mahindra are confronted by India’s extreme divisions – between rich and poor, urban and rural. Regular Global Affairs discussions and classes on modern India help students to address some of these issues, as do the close relationships with local villages and community health, literacy and development projects. Link to Mahindra UWC.
UWC of South East Asia
Singapore
Founded in 1971, UWC of South East Asia was a synthesis of the visions of Lord Mountbatten, then UWC President, and Lee Kwan Yew the Prime Minister of Singapore.
The college is located in a densely urban environment in the middle of a culturally rich and diverse region that offers, in many ways, a model of intercultural understanding. Link to UWC-SEA.
Waterford KaMhlaba UWC of Southern Africa
Swaziland
Founded as an alternative to and protest against apartheid in 1967, Waterford joined United World Colleges in 1981.
Waterford KaMhlaba retains a high focus on democracy and development, especially in Southern Africa and counts amoung its graduates Nelson Mandela's children and grandchildren. Link to Waterford UWC.
UWC of the Adriatic
Italy
The UWC of the Adriatic was founded in 1982 by the Region of Frili Venezia with the support of the Italian Government.
Reflecting Italian priorities in foreign policy the College lays special emphasis on its relationships with Central and Eastern Europe and 30 per cent of its students come from this region. Link to Adriatic UWC.
Li Po Chun United World College of Hong Kong
Hong Kong
The United World College in Hong Kong was initiated by Dr Lee Quo-Wei and Mr Li Shiu Tsang and established in 1992 through a generous grant from the Li Po Chun Charitable Trust Fund and support from the Hong Kong Government.
The campus occupies a spectacular oceanfront site flanked with the steep wooded slopes of Ma On Shan mountain and within one of the most dynamic and cosmopolitan cities in the world. Link to Li Po Chun UWC.
UWC Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Established in 2006 with the generous support of Norwegian philanthropist Per Grieg, the UWC Costa Rica is surrounded by well-preserved natural environment that is the focus of many of its service and educational programmes.
UWC in Mostar
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Based on the Mostar Gymnasium recently-restored from war-time destruction, UWC Mostar aims to contribute to the post-conflict reconstruction of education in the region.
Students from all three communities in the country, together with students from South Eastern and Central Europe and further afield work on conflict resolution, international relations and extensive community service programmes. Link to UWC Mostar.
Simόn Bolívar UWC of Agriculture
Venezuela
Simόn Bolívar UWC is the only vocational United World College. It was founded in 1986 by The Prince of Wales, then UWC President, with the renowned agriculturalist Dr Luis Marcano Coello.
The College trains young people who will return to their home countries with the vision to enable profitable agricultural production alongside the social need to empower rural communities, to improve quality of life and self-reliance, and to conserve natural resources. Link to Simon Bolivar UWC.
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