The United World College is offering Scholarships for students from different countries, including Afghanistan, to study at UWC and get the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) and the International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP). The IBDP and IBCP are two-year pre-university courses offered to students aged 16-19. Read here for the full details about the United World College (UWC Afghanistan) Committee.

All UWC schools and colleges offer the IB Diploma Program. The IBCP is available at Pearson College UWC and UWC Maastricht.  See the full list of UWC colleges below.

What are IBDP, IBCP, and STP?

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP)

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), offered at all UWC schools for students aged 16–19, is one of the world’s most respected pre-university qualifications. UWC helped shape the IBDP to go beyond memorization—students study six subjects across languages, humanities, sciences, mathematics, and the arts while completing core components like the Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge, and Creativity, Activity, Service. This holistic approach builds critical thinking, global awareness, and leadership skills, preparing graduates to excel at top universities and to make meaningful contributions to their communities and the world.

International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP)

The International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP), available at selected UWC schools for ages 16–19, blends rigorous academics with hands-on career-focused learning. Students take at least two IBDP subjects alongside specialized pathways such as Business & Sustainability, Climate Action Leadership, or Music Performance, while completing a unique core focused on personal and professional skills, service learning, language development, and a reflective project. The IBCP equips learners with practical experience, adaptability, and global perspectives, making them competitive candidates for university, apprenticeships, or immediate career opportunities.

Systems Transformation Pathway (STP)

The Systems Transformation Pathway (STP) is an innovative pilot programme at UWC Atlantic and UWC South East Asia for students aged 16–19 who are passionate about solving complex global challenges. Combining the IB Diploma with interdisciplinary, project-based learning, STP replaces two standard IB subjects with collaborative studies on real-world systems such as biodiversity, migration, energy, and food. Through authentic impact analyses, reflection, and design thinking, students develop changemaker mindsets and leadership skills that prepare them to drive systemic change and create sustainable solutions on a global scale.

The United World College (UWC) committee of Afghanistan is pleased to announce that the application for  2026 entry will open on September 20, 2025.

Application close: October 31, 2025(11:59 pm Kabul time)

You can read the details of the program from previous years below; these details will be updated when the application opens. 

If you are a young Afghan citizen between the ages of 15 and 17, living inside or in neighboring countries, and interested in pursuing your education at a global college to earn an international baccalaureate (IB) diploma, apply to the United World College.

About the UWC

United World College accepts applications from young people from different countries with diverse backgrounds to get an education and make a social change. UWC Schools and colleges worldwide provide transformational educational programs and experiences for groups of young people between the ages of 15 and 17 who are suitable to be guided towards empathy, responsibility, and lifelong action, inspiring them to enhance their leadership skills and become positive change agents.

UWC colleges:

• UWC South East Asia in Singapore
• UWC Thailand
• UWC Red Cross Nordic in Norway
• UWC USA
• UWC ISAK Japan
• UWC Rover Bosch College in Germany
• Waterford Kamhlaba UWC of Southern Africa
• Li PO Chun UWC of Hong Kong
• WUC Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina
• UWC Adriatic in Italy
• UWC Dilijan in Dilijan, Armenia
• UWC Costa Rica
• UWC Changshu China
• UWC Maastricht in Netherlands
• UWC Atlantic College in the UK
• Pearson College UWC in Victoria, Canada
• UWC Mahindara College in Pune, India

Details of the program:

Level of study: 

The student will be taught an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma.

Duration: two years

Number of schools and colleges in four continents: 18

Targeted people: young people between the ages of 15– 17 years but different colleges provide programs for different ages.

Financial assistance: Approximately 70% of students receive full or partial financial aid based on their individual needs.

The scholarship is for a two-year residential program with separate rooms for males and females; parental consent is required.

Candidate responsibilities: 

Applicants nominated by the national committee will be responsible for obtaining all necessary travel documents, such as a passport and visa.

Subjects taught in IB:

• Language and literature
• Language Acquisition
• Individuals and Societies
• Sciences
• Mathematics
• The Arts

Three core parts of IB are taught besides the six subjects mentioned above:

• Extended Essay (EE):
• Theory of Knowledge (TOK)
• Creativity, activity, Service (CAS)

Who can apply?

Based on the agreement between UWC and the Ministry of Education of Afghanistan, applicants should meet the following requirements:

• Be a national of Afghanistan (without citizenship in any other country )
• Currently living in Afghanistan or one of Afghanistan’s immediate neighbors such as Pakistan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, or China or living as a refugee in another country.
• Be between the ages of 15 and 17 years old.
• The applicants who have been the victim of landmine or cluster ammunition injury, are requested to contact the National Committee immediately for additional opportunities.

Students who do not fulfill the criteria above, such as those living in foreign countries not listed above, should discuss with the UWC national committee in their country.

Opportunities you may apply to:

• GIST Master and PhD Scholarships in South Korea (Spring Semester 2026)
• Russian Government Scholarships for Bachelor, Master, and PhD in 500 Russian Universities
• Pakistan 4500 Scholarships for Afghanistan (3rd phase of Allama Iqbal Scholarships)

Required Documents:

• Picture of the applicant
• Tazkira and Passport
• Transcript of last year and this year
• Application form
• Reference letter
• Other supporting documents

Application procedure:

Eligible applicants can apply online and submit their applications during the application period.  You can apply through one of three routes:

1. Apply through a UWC national committee

If you need financial support, this is the route for you. More than 80% of students selected through UWC national committees receive financial assistance based on individual circumstances. UWC national committees represent the movement in over 150 countries and territories. They select students based on potential, motivation, and need – including many who would not otherwise have access to a high-quality education.

2. Apply through the UWC Global Selection Programme (GSP)

If you do not require financial assistance, you can apply directly to the UWC colleges. Fifteen UWC schools also offer places through the UWC Global Selection Programme (GSP). This option is available for students who can pay the full fees and do not need financial support.

Applications for Entry in 2026 (January 2027 for Waterford Kamhlaba UWC of Southern Africa) opened on August 18, 2025. and it is open up to 1 October 2025

• Window 1: 18 August – 1 October 2025
• Window 2: 2 October – 18 November 2025
• Window 3: 19 November 2025 – 14 January 2026 (subject to availability)
• Window 4: 15 January – 11 March 2026 (subject to availability)

Apply through GSP

After you submit your application, a volunteer selection committee will review it, and you can track its progress through the application portal. If shortlisted, you and your parent(s) or guardian(s) may be invited for a conversation with an admissions officer, followed by participation in an online selection day, which includes group activities, a project presentation, an interview, and an emotional wellbeing questionnaire (all held in English via Zoom). Successful candidates are then nominated to one of their chosen schools, may have a follow-up interview with the school’s Admissions Director or faculty, and will receive a final offer directly from the nominated school.

3. Apply through the UWC International Application Pathway (IAP)

UWC has a significant global presence; however, some countries currently lack an active national committee. If you cannot apply through a national committee due to your nationality or residency and require a scholarship, this option may be suitable for you. Please note that spaces are limited, and UWC will need to confirm your eligibility before processing your application.

UWC schools and colleges offer a limited number of UWC International Application Pathway (IAP) places each year, based on their planning and available financial support funds.  The International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP) is available only at Pearson College UWC and UWC Maastricht. The IAP is designed for applicants who cannot apply through a UWC national committee, cannot afford full fees through the Global Selection Programme, and have not applied through another UWC route in the same year. Eligibility is confirmed through a short form to ensure the IAP is the most suitable path for your circumstances.

Given the limited number of places and financial support available each year, eligible applicants are strongly encouraged to meet all deadlines and submit their applications as early as possible. Applications for 2026 entry will open on 22 September 2025 and close on 27 October 2025, with selection happening on a rolling basis—early submissions increase your chances of success. Once your application is submitted, it will be reviewed by a volunteer selection committee, and if it progresses, you will participate in an online selection day and a Financial Needs Assessment (FNA) process. Successful candidates will be nominated to a school or college, may be invited to attend a follow-up interview, and then proceed with the enrolment process at their nominated institution.

Apply through the National Committee of Afghanistan

Afghanistan applicants can read the full details here 

Please visit the link below to apply to UWC through the UWC National Committee of Afghanistan.
A few points to note:
1. Please read the details and the requirements before applying.
2. Please make sure to choose the “UWC National Committee” as the route to apply to UWC, in the eligibility part. If you select the UWC Global Selection Programme, you will NOT be directed to the UWC Afghanistan application form.
3. Application deadline is October 31, 2025, at 11:59 PM (Kabul time).
4. We recommend completing some parts of the application form in a Word document and then copying and pasting it to the online application.
5. Bring any questions or concerns that you might have to the info session.

How to apply

If you know which route you are applying through, then follow these steps:

Step 1: Create a new account using the ‘Register’ button to the right.

Step 2: Confirm your account and begin your application. You will receive an email (please check spam/junk box) with a link attached. Please click on the link, and you will be directed to the application page.

Step  3: In order to determine if you are eligible and what application routes are available for you, fill out the Eligibility Profile form.

Step 4: Choose between the application programs available and start your application.

Important notes:

• Please do not indicate your ethnicity, religion, and political affiliation in your application
• Based on your need, financial support is available to cover the tuition fee, room, and board
• The applicants are responsible for covering their travel costs, health insurance, college deposits, personal spending money, and passport/visa costs.
• The application must be your work alone. Indication of any outside assistance in the application will result in immediate disqualification.
• You need to provide a valid and clear email address and phone number.

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Please visit the UWC Afghanistan website for updates.

For more information, please contact chair.gh@af.uwc.org or visit the UWC Afghanistan announcement here.