Scholarships

Does UWC Cyprus offer scholarships?

Yes. Successful applicants receive funding for up to a fully funded scholarship, inclusive of flights and extra costs, under the EU Scholarship Programme for Cypriot Youth at UWC. This programme is funded by the European Union, under the Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot Community and is implemented by UWC. 

How many scholarships are available?

For 2024 entry, we offer 18 EU-funded scholarships to attend one of four UWC schools: UWC Maastricht, UWC Robert Bosch College, UWC Adriatic and UWC Mostar.

Am I eligible to apply for the EU Scholarship Programme for Cypriot Youth at UWC?

The eligibility criteria to apply for the scholarships available under the EU Scholarship Programme for Cypriot Youth at UWC are available on our website. 

Application & Selection Process

What is the application process like? 

The application process consists of a number of stages:

• An online application form
• Participation in in-person workshop/group activities
• An interview, in-person or online

How does the online application form work?

The application form can be completed via an online platform. You can fill this out at your own pace and the application can be completed in different stages, i.e. you do not need to finalise it in one go.

Some of the sections of the application form are: 
Personal information 
Short essay questions - these are an important part of the application form as they provide an insight on your motivation and perspectives 
School information
Documents: You will be required to upload a number of documents such as school reports/transcripts, travel documents, ID card, a recent photo etc.
Information & Authorization from your parents.

The school report for the first term of the current school year will not be available by the deadline. What can I do?

If the school report for the first term of the current year is not ready by the application deadline, please upload this document instead within the relevant section. Once your report becomes available please send this to us at via email at info@cy.uwc.org.

What criteria do you use to select applicants? / What do you expect from applicants?

Eligible applicants to the scholarship programme are selected by UWC based on five core criteria:

Intellectual curiosity and motivation: You have a genuine urge to learn about the world around you. You can grasp a range of local and global issues, and have the ability to analyse them critically.
Active commitment: You can question, confront and reflect on the values of yourself, your family and your community. You are able to act your beliefs responsibly, and with courage.
Social competence: You can make contact with others, work together, and interact respectfully. You can express yourself in different situations, to different people, and achieve solutions together.
Resilience, personal responsibility and integrity: You can look after yourself physically and emotionally during challenging situations. You are motivated to adhere to UWC’s principles, and have a sense of humility and a willingness to listen.
Motivation: You have a passion and ability to contribute to UWC, and actively promote its values.
We are looking for students who want to contribute to a better world, whatever their background.
How important are school grades during the selection process? 
We look for students with demonstrated promise and potential. While your academic standing is valued, this is not the only factor taken into consideration during the selection process. The selections committee takes a holistic approach, evaluating academics, as well as co-curricular and other personal interests.

In what language do the selections take place?

The selection process for the EU Scholarship Programme for Cypriot Youth at UWC runs in three languages - English, Greek and Turkish. You can choose which language you would like to use for your application form and during any selection workshops and interviews.

Do I have to know English to attend UWC? 

While your level of English proficiency will not impact your selection process, a good command of English is important since the language of instruction at UWC schools is English. Many students with English as a second or third language have successfully attended and completed UWC.

We recommend successful applicants to invest in their English proficiency prior to attending UWC to make the transition to an English-speaking environment easier.

Can I choose which UWC school I go to if I am selected?

Selected scholars are asked to state their school preference during the interview stage. We do our best to consider this preference. However, we cannot guarantee you will be placed into your top choice. The school or college admissions department makes the final decision on whether to accept a nominated candidate. 

Does UWC Cyprus provide help to obtain a visa? 

UWC Cyprus can provide advice and information about visa requirements but scholars and families are responsible to obtain the required documentation for travel. 

If a student doesn't get the scholarship this year, can s/he apply next year again?

We encourage all interested and motivated students that fulfil the eligibility criteria to apply a second time, if they were not successful the first time round. In addition, scholarship applicants are considered for other opportunities such as short courses in Cyprus and in Europe.

Do the previous year’s applicants have an advantage this year?

Applications are evaluated independently each year by the UWC Cyprus’ selection committee.

I am not eligible for an EU Scholarship Programme. Can I still apply to UWC?

If you are not eligible for the EU Scholarship Programme, you may be eligible to apply through another UWC committee or through the Global Selections Programme (GSP). Please note that scholarships are not available to students who apply through the GSP. You can learn more about the GSP on the website of UWC International.

Financial Information

If I am selected, do I automatically receive a scholarship?

All selected applicants are automatically considered for a scholarship under the EU Scholarship Programme of Cypriot Youth at UWC. 

Applicants who qualify for the interview stage of the selection process are asked to submit a financial information form and some complementary documentation, that is assessed after the selection process is complete. The financial information form is used to determine the level of financial support the applicant will potentially receive, if selected.

What does the scholarship include? Are there any extra costs to attending UWC?

Scholarships generally cover school tuition and board (accommodation and meals) based on the demonstrated need of the family. Families are generally responsible for flights to and from the schools, insurance, and pocket money. 

If the financial assessment finds you are eligible for additional support, a scholarship may also cover these extra costs, such as travel expenses, pocket money, books, or insurance. We will clearly outline the awarded amount of scholarship support and what potential costs your family is responsible for when you are nominated. 
If the financial assessment finds that you are eligible for additional financial assistance for the extra costs, you will also be notified in your nomination letter. 

How do you decide how much scholarship support I receive?

The level of support is calculated through a financial assessment that evaluates the applicant’s financial need. The financial assessment considers a family’s income, living expenses, family size, and other factors. 

Each situation is unique and the financial assessment works with families to ensure that the amount requested is fair and affordable. We believe no applicant should have to turn down UWC because they cannot afford it. 

Does the financial assessment affect the selection process?

All scholars are selected based on merit only. Nominations are based on a selection process which is ‘needs blind’ and UWC Cyprus encourages all applicants interested in UWC to apply, regardless of your financial circumstances.

The financial assessment is conducted separately from the selection process. This means that the selection team will not access the financial assessment documents. Only after finalists are selected, UWC Cyprus’ financial assessment lead will review the candidate’s financial information form and documentation to assess the scholarship amount they need to attend UWC.

Life at UWC

What classes do you teach? What is the International Baccalaureate?

All UWC schools and colleges teach the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) for students in the final two years of high school education. As one of the most well-regarded and widely known secondary school qualifications in the world, the IBDP prepares the students to attend some of the world’s leading universities. 

UWC also places a high value on experiential learning, community service and outdoor activities, which complement the high academic standards delivered through the IBDP.
Learn more about the academic life, and co-curricular activities at UWC.

What is CAS? What student activities can I do at the schools?

‘Creativity, Activity, Service’ (CAS) is a core element of life and learning at UWC - and also a requirement for obtaining the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IBDP). Students of all age-groups are encouraged to excel inside the classroom as much as outside, through being engaged and active in a wide spectrum of creative, physical, social and community activities

CAS exemplifies the idea that a UWC education does not solely consist of a rigorous academic programme: through CAS, students have the opportunity to use the information they learn in the classroom and put it into practice in an experiential context. Each UWC school and college offers a wide range of CAS activities - both faculty and student-initiated and led.
Find out what each school or college offers outside of the classroom visiting their individual profiles.

What are the dates of the academic year at UWC?

The specific dates and length of the terms and breaks depend on the individual school/college. Roughly speaking, the academic year at a UWC school or college will start around August, will have a break during the second half of December/early January and will then continue until late May or June. 

What health and support services are available for students after arriving at UWC? 

UWC has a strong commitment to the welfare, development and support of our students. While the exact support varies at each school, all of our locations have a team of on-site staff who support the student’s well-being in roles such as house-parents, student advisors, peer support networks, nurses and counsellors, deans of students, health and wellness specialists, heads of residential life, psychologists and psychotherapists, as well as providing access to healthcare, on campus and locally. 

Can families visit their child? Can they help them settle in the beginning at the residences?

Families can accompany their children when they first arrive at their UWC campus, to help them settle in, but can also visit their child throughout the year.

Are students allowed to travel back to Cyprus throughout the year?

Students typically leave the campus during Summer and Winter breaks, when many students like to go back home to visit family, travel, do internships or volunteer work.

Because the campuses are closed during school/college breaks, students who aren’t able or do not want to go home can be hosted by local families who can offer them a place to stay. Living in a host family, students get a chance to explore the local culture, language and people, and many of them use the time to do internships and volunteering work or explore various regions of the country.