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United World College Costa Rica

Costa Rica, San Jose

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, Spanish
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 13 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 200
Type Co-educational (boarding)
Opened 2006
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (DP)
Taught languages English, Spanish, French
Strengths Languages, Service and Sustainability, Visual and Creative Arts
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Community and Service
Stages Sixth Form, Secondary School
Introduction

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.

De la esquina sureste de la Iglesia Católica, 400 mts al norte, San José, Santa Ana, 10901, Costa Rica

The Essentials

United World College Costa Rica has 200 pupils, instruction in English, Spanish.

Location
Santa Ana, Costa Rica. Located in the Santa Ana suburb of San José. The campus is listed as located in Santa Ana (soon to be in San Isidro). The campus address is San José, Costa Rica 10901.

Stages
Two-year residential pre-university program for students to achieve the International Baccalaureate (IB).

Type
Two-year residential college offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme with on-campus housing.

Pupil Nationality Mix
Around 200 students representing 70+ countries.

Additional learning support
Wellness and Learning Support includes one-on-one and group spaces addressing academic, emotional, and well-being needs; a Student Academic Success System for Youth (SASSY); Student Internal Support; and a dedicated wellness team.

Country affiliation
Costa Rica.

Bus service
The College provides transportation for students to and from the San José airport (SJO) on official arrival dates only; otherwise, students arrange their own transport.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
The school provides on-campus boarding in eight residences named after Costa Rican beaches. Residences are mostly gender-separated with a mix of non-binary/mixed spaces. Eight Day Residence Coordinators and two Night Coordinators supervise daily life, supported by seven additional residential staff, including health professionals. A medical team and wellness programs ensure student safety and well-being.

Uniform Requirement
The school has no uniform requirement. Attire is casual, with formal dress required only for certain events.

Food Options
The Cafeteria offers meal options to accommodate diverse dietary preferences. Typically, vegetarian and vegan options are available at every meal. If food remains at the end of a meal service, students may return to the line for an additional portion.

House System
Students live in eight on-campus residences named after iconic Costa Rican beaches. Residences are mostly divided by gender, with a mix of non-binary/mixed spaces. Each residence has a residence coordinator who provides direct support, and regular residence meetings help foster community.

Governance and Ownership
The school is a non-profit foundation.
Fees
Application fees
- No separate college-level application fee is published. The first formal payment required after an offer is the non-refundable reservation deposit described below.

Tuition and boarding (annual and total for the two‑year IB programme)
- Cost of attendance for incoming (first‑year) students: USD 86,000 in total (presented as USD 43,000 per year). This total includes tuition, books, room, food, health insurance, field trips, IB examination fees, and co‑curricular activity fees.

Breakdown by payment instalment (billing schedule and payment terms)
- Reservation / enrolment deposit: a non‑refundable payment equal to 10% of the tuition fee plus 100% of the extra costs (immigration fees and the security deposit) is due within seven days of receiving the Welcome Letter.
- Second instalment: 40% of the total tuition is due within 30 days of receiving the Welcome Letter.
- Final instalment: the remaining 50% of the tuition must be paid by the final deadline provided in the financial contract (the published example deadline for the intake described was June 25). Upload proof of international transfer (ideally the MT103) after each payment.

Boarding fees
- Room and food (boarding) are included in the annual cost stated above (USD 43,000 per year). There is no separately published line item for boarding outside the stated cost of attendance.

Other compulsory fees and one‑time charges
- Security deposit: USD 500 (one‑time). The deposit may be used to cover damage or other discretionary charges; the Financial Office issues a statement at the end of the first year and an invoice for the second year as required. After the second year, USD 70 is deducted for shipping the IB Diploma and results outside Costa Rica using DHL.
- Immigration / visa administrative fees: charged by region and invoiced to the family; range is USD 550–750. Example regional amounts given: USA/Canada/Brazil (non‑Spanish speaking) USD 750; Latin America (Spanish‑speaking) USD 550; Asia/Africa/Europe/Middle East USD 750.
- Activity attendance penalty: unexcused absence from a co‑curricular, residential, or academic activity is charged at USD 30 per activity.
- International bank handling fee: USD 45 per transfer is applied to cover international bank charges. Families are asked to upload the international transfer confirmation (and MT103 if available) to the college's records.

Refund information
- The reservation deposit described above is explicitly non‑refundable. The security deposit is held to cover damages or discretionary charges and is accounted for by the Financial Office; specific refund amounts (if any) are determined after deductions for damages or approved expenses. No separate, detailed tuition‑refund schedule for early withdrawal or partial attendance is published with the payment schedule provided.

Fee payment methods and instructions
- Payment method: international bank transfer is the required method referenced; families must upload a scanned copy of the international transfer document and, if possible, the MT103 transfer confirmation to the college's financial records (financial.department@uwccostarica.org is the contact given for transfer confirmations). An international bank fee of USD 45 is applied per transfer.

Incidental and optional additional costs to budget for
- Immigration/visa fees (USD 550–750, region dependent).
- Personal spending money, travel to/from country, visa‑related expenses, and any optional or externally charged activities or trips beyond standard field trips and co‑curricular offerings (these are not included in the one‑line items above and should be budgeted separately).

Notes on invoicing and year‑to‑year administration
- The Financial Office provides an end‑of‑first‑year statement summarising costs and issues an invoice for the second year as required; families are expected to follow the Financial Terms agreement and the payment schedule in their enrolment contract.
Academics

United World College Costa Rica teaches IB (DP) for students aged 13 to 18.

Curriculum
IB Diploma Programme (DP) curriculum with six subject groups and the DP core (Theory of Knowledge, Creativity, Activity, Service, and the Extended Essay). It is the only UWC College offering the full IBDP in Spanish, with an option to earn a bilingual diploma. The academic model is based on experiential learning, and includes Experiential Days outside the classroom across Costa Rica. The college frames its educational approach as distinctive and globally oriented within the IB framework.

Exam Results
Class of 2023 IB Pass Rate: 79.6% (Worldwide 87.5%). Class of 2023 Bilingual Diplomas: 26.8% (Worldwide 42.8%).

Higher Education Progression
One-on-one university counseling is provided to help students plan for higher education beyond UWC Costa Rica. Staff assist with university applications worldwide and with securing partial and full scholarships. The college collaborates with the Davis Foundation to support UWC graduates at more than 100 universities in the United States.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The Residential Life Program provides Community Wellbeing Activities that create a preventive culture space in the residential area for students' comprehensive well-being. Life at UWC Costa Rica is Safe, Exciting, and Diverse. The program uses an experiential learning approach to empower students as agents of change. Eight Day Residence Coordinators and two Night Coordinators support daily life, along with seven other residential staff. The team includes licensed psychologists, nurses, paramedics, physical trainers, educators, and a doctor to support students' physical and mental well-being. Wellness activities, such as outings, camps, excursions, movie nights, dinners, meditations, and exercise, are regularly organized to support students' academic and social journeys.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The school offers a bilingual program in English and Spanish. The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme allows a two-year school-supported self-taught course in a student's first language if it is not English or Spanish.

Mental Wellbeing
The Residential Life Program includes licensed psychologists, nurses, paramedics, physical trainers, educators, and a doctor to support students' physical and mental well-being. The staff focuses on ensuring students lead healthy, balanced lifestyles. Wellness activities accompany daily life, including outings, camps, excursions, movie nights, and meditation. The team collaborates with health professionals to monitor and promote student well-being.

Safeguarding
UWC Costa Rica safeguards all students from harm and promotes student welfare. Safeguarding covers protection from physical, emotional, neglectful, and sexual abuse, and supports well-being in both physical and digital environments. A Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy exists in English and Spanish. The UWC International Common Standards for Safeguarding are in place. A Student Procedure for Reporting Safeguarding Cases provides students with a clear path to report incidents with respect, compassion, and discretion.
Parent Experience

History
UWC Costa Rica opened in 2006 in Santa Ana, San José, on a campus inherited from SOS Villages and adapted over the years. It is the only UWC in Latin America and the Caribbean and offers a bilingual program that allows students to explore the region's social, political, and cultural history. The college is transitioning to a new space in San Isidro, Heredia, offering nature-rich learning opportunities on a campus surrounded by 40 hectares of nature reserve. The college is structured as a foundation under Costa Rican law with an Executive Board and a Board of Trustees; in 2013 the Board of Trustees created a Board of Directors. The core learning model is guided by a five-year Strategic Plan and a Sustainability Framework.

Community
The UWC Costa Rica community hosts a vibrant calendar of events as showcased on the Blog & News page, including Graduation ceremonies with livestreams. Blog posts highlight events such as UWC Day celebrations and alumni stories, reflecting the community's culture of intercultural exchange, service, and global citizenship. The move to the new campus in San Isidro is described as deepening roots in the local community and strengthening ties with San Isidro's residents. The broader UWC Movement connects UWC Costa Rica to a global network of more than 60,000 alumni and 18 colleges worldwide.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The current Santa Ana campus is in the heart of the city, allowing engagement with the Costa Rican community while being surrounded by nature. The college is relocating to a new campus in San Isidro, Heredia, on a site surrounded by 40 hectares of a nature reserve, to provide learning opportunities in nature and to accommodate a broader mission. Eight residences accommodate up to 28 students each, with rooms housing two to four students, and Residential Life emphasizes safety, community, and sustainability. The Cafeteria offers meals with vegetarian and vegan options and attends to dietary restrictions as part of student life. The Wellness program provides accessible counseling and health services to support student well-being as part of Residential Life.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Experiential Days invites students to study outside the classroom through one-day educational field trips and activities related to IB subjects. Agents of Change (AoC), Thematic Weeks (TW), and Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS) are co-curricular initiatives integrated with IB. The Diploma Programme is offered with a bilingual diploma option in Spanish. One-on-one university counseling helps students plan futures including universities worldwide and scholarships.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school follows the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP), with six subject groups and the DP core (Theory of Knowledge, Creativity, Activity, Service, and the Extended Essay). The school offers the full IBDP in Spanish with a bilingual diploma option. The school provides one-on-one Future Pathways & University Counseling to guide university applications, gap years, or entering the workforce, and supports scholarships through the Davis Foundation for UWC Costa Rica students at over 100 universities in the United States. Experiential Days extend IB learning beyond the classroom with one-day field trips and activities related to IB subjects across Costa Rica.

Arts & Creative
The school provides arts opportunities through CAS Experiences, including Music Ensemble, Art Appreciation, Film Production, Creative Writing, and Content Creation, among other creative activities. The A Learning Adventure Beyond the Classroom article describes a workshop with Costa Rican artist Maf E Tulá for music and art, linking creativity to social and environmental activism. The IB curriculum also includes Group 6 The Arts as part of the Diploma Programme.

Cultural & Language
The school offers the Diploma Programme with a bilingual diploma option (Spanish and English). The Conociendo Costa Rica initiative provides off-campus outings for learning about Costa Rica's social, cultural, and historical contexts. The Thematic Weeks are student-led immersive experiences exploring diverse cultural themes (e.g., Central American, Queer, Asian, European, Black History, Women's, Afro-Caribbean Weeks).

Social & Hobbies
The school's Co-Curricular Program offers CAS Experiences across Creativity & Sustainability, Physical Activities, and Social Service & Community, including activities like Greenhouse, Eco-Bricks, Music Ensemble, Film Production, Creative Writing, Content Creation, Chess, Afro-dance, Urban/Contemporary Dance, and more. CAS Experiences support student exploration of interests and talents beyond the classroom. Model United Nations (MUN) is hosted on campus as part of the co-curricular calendar.

Community & Service
Community Action Week (CAW) coordinates off-campus projects enabling thousands of hours of volunteering across diverse Costa Rican communities. The Co-Curricular Program also emphasizes social service and community engagement through initiatives such as Lifting Hands, Global Issues, Healthy Masculinities, Anti-Racism, Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity, and the College Newspaper. Model United Nations (MUN) fosters diplomacy and global citizenship as part of community engagement.

Leadership & Professional
Model United Nations (MUN) builds diplomacy, global citizenship, teamwork, and creativity. Agents of Change (AoC) Camp offers one-day experiences where students choose paths in social entrepreneurship, STEM, or activism/advocacy to ideate projects with potential real-world impact. The Thematic Weeks are student-led immersive experiences that cultivate leadership through community-driven learning.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Residential Life centers on community living with eight on-campus residences and a staff team that includes Residence Coordinators, night coordinators, and wellness professionals to support students' physical and mental well-being. Wellness supports cover emotional support, transition and adaptation spaces, and one-on-one or group wellness programs. Medical support includes on-campus nurses and a doctor, with access to nearby hospitals for emergencies, ensuring a safe and healthy campus life.
Languages

Language Provision
Spanish is the language of the full IBDP at UWC Costa Rica, and students can opt to earn a bilingual diploma. French is offered as a Diploma Programme subject. The Diploma Programme includes Group 1 Language & Literature and Group 2 Language Acquisition subjects.

Bilingual Teaching
The school offers the full International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in Spanish, and students can opt in to achieve a bilingual diploma. The Diploma Programme core includes Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS), and the Extended Essay (EE). The program uses six subject groups as part of the IB DP.

Immersion Programs
Short Courses combine sustainability with Spanish language lessons. Participants engage in immersive Spanish language experiences within Costa Rica's cultural and environmental context. The programs emphasize language development alongside sustainability topics.
Admissions

Admissions
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
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.
School Events
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