International Baccalaureate: United World Colleges Mauritius Opens Applications for 2026 Intake
Title: International Baccalaureate: United World Colleges Mauritius Opens Applications for 2026 Intake
Since 1962, United World Colleges has been educating young people worldwide about global issues through the International Baccalaureate. Applications are now open online for admission to one of the 18 colleges in the network for the 2026 academic year.
The United World Colleges (UWC) network, committed to providing education focused on global challenges for 60 years, is now accepting applications. Selected students will complete a two-year residential program in a fully English-speaking curriculum leading to the International Baccalaureate (IB). The 18 UWC colleges, distributed across four continents, welcome students from diverse social and cultural backgrounds.
The UWC Mauritius National Committee, consisting of professionals, alumni, and parents, invites students holding a School Certificate (SC), Higher School Certificate (HSC), IGCSE, or an equivalent examination to apply. Applications can be submitted online at apply.uwc.org.
Candidates must be between 15 and 18 years old. The selection committee values qualities such as social commitment, intellectual curiosity, openness to others, maturity, motivation, and adaptability. Academic results and language criteria are not decisive, as long as the student can succeed in the International Baccalaureate. Financial criteria also do not pose a barrier, as numerous partial or full scholarships are awarded based on family resources.
Application files, to be submitted by January 16, 2026, must include a motivation letter, a teacher's evaluation, an assessment from non-academic referees, and school transcripts.
Pre-selected candidates will then participate in a selection weekend that includes workshops, games, and a mini-debate on a contemporary topic. The final step involves an individual interview with representatives from the National Committee. Results will be communicated in March 2026, and selected students will join their campus in August.
With 86% of participants receiving scholarships, UWC provides access to an exceptional education, regardless of socio-economic background. The aim is to make education a force that unites people and builds a sustainable, peaceful future. This training enhances students' adaptability and opens doors to the world’s top universities.
Founded in 1962 in Wales, UWC has grown into a network of 18 international high schools, each hosting an average of 200 students from 80 to 100 nationalities. All students are selected by national committees in 159 countries.
Over the decades, UWC has been presided over by figures such as Lord Mountbatten and Nelson Mandela. Today, 4,800 students are enrolled in the International Baccalaureate across UWC campuses, and more than 60,000 alumni remain engaged in the movement.
Testimonials
Giripati Sai Gurriah shares his first months in Tanzania as a scholar at the United World College – East Africa for the 2025-2027 term. He describes his first two months on the Moshi campus as "a very enriching experience." "Seeing Kilimanjaro for the first time and meeting people from many cultures made me realize this was the perfect place for me," he says.
Every day, he enjoys the sunshine, "the fresh air of Tanzania," and the greenery of the campus, where monkeys are often spotted. Giripati continues his athletic routine, stating, "I swim every Tuesday and Thursday, grateful to pursue my passion as I did in Mauritius." Wednesdays have a special flavor for him due to his CAS service, Daycare Swimming, where he helps nearby nursery children learn to swim. "Their smiles in the pool always brighten my day," he confides. Surrounded by nature, friends, and a peaceful atmosphere, Giripati feels completely fulfilled.
Maxime De Coriolis, a scholar at the United World College – Costa Rica for the 2025-2027 term, shares that his first months on campus exceeded his expectations. "Before leaving Mauritius for Costa Rica, many told me that UWC would transform me. I didn’t realize how true that was until my first months on campus, surrounded by 200 students and a hundred staff from around the world, each with their own story and perspective," he explains. In this diversity, Maxime participated in key campus events like UWC Day, which celebrates peace and differences, and TEDx, where students and staff share knowledge on global issues. Alongside five other first-year students, he led a project on food security, combining ideas and experiences to propose concrete solutions. "UWC teaches me every day that our differences do not divide us but bring us together, and that sharing our cultures and knowledge can enrich our community and broaden our worldview," concludes Maxime.