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Costa Rica, San Jose
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Two routes exist to apply to UWC Costa Rica: Global Selection Programme (GSP) and National Committees (NCs), including the Costa Rica National Committee and other National Committees. GSP is an IB Diploma Programme route with limited places at UWCs; you can apply to UWC Costa Rica or to 15 other UWCs, and you are expected to cover the total tuition cost. Most students are selected through NCs, which provide guidance in the application process and often offer scholarships to applicants; this route is subject to each NC's deadlines, so applicants should check with their NC. Applicants may choose from three options to express their UWC preferences: application to a specific school, up to three schools, or all UWCs. Entry is not guaranteed for either route. Scholarships are not available via GSP, but are available via NCs based on demonstrated need. Can I apply in a language other than English? GSP applications are in English; NC routes can in most cases be in languages other than English. Selected students are expected to meet all academic and co-curricular responsibilities, learn to communicate in both English and Spanish, and embrace diversity while abiding by UWC Costa Rica policies. To start, subscribe to the Admissions Newsletter for updates, guides, and tips, and apply via the GSP route (Apply Now) or through your NC; you can also Find Your National Committee for information on NC deadlines and procedures. The Costa Rica NC route offers guidance and often scholarships, with NCs providing accompaniment in the application process. Over the past year, UWC Costa Rica and the movement have granted substantial scholarships across the network.
Scholarships are offered primarily through National Committees, which accompany applicants and often provide funding; scholarships are based on demonstrated need. GSP does not provide scholarships. In the movement, more than $13 million in scholarships were granted in the last year.
United World College Costa Rica is a two-year residential IB Diploma Programme school for students aged 13 to 18. It delivers the full IB DP in Spanish with a bilingual diploma option (Spanish and English) and emphasizes experiential learning through Experiential Days across Costa Rica. The campus moves from Santa Ana to San Isidro, Heredia, on 40 hectares of nature reserve to support nature-based inquiry. The college operates as a foundation with an Executive Board and a Board of Trustees, and a Board of Directors was established in 2013. The IB DP core includes Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay, and Creativity, Activity, and Service across six subject groups. Co-curricular initiatives such as Agents of Change, Thematic Weeks, and CAS Experiences extend learning beyond the classroom. Eight residences host students with wellness support and vegetarian and vegan dining. One-on-one university counseling helps students pursue global destinations, with Davis Foundation scholarships for UWC Costa Rica students at over 100 U.S. universities. Arts opportunities include Music Ensemble, Art, Film Production, and CAS activities.
