Boarders

UWCSEA's boarding programme prepares young people for university life and beyond, equipping them with the confidence, independence and social skills they need to be successful.

The boarding experience is culturally rich, providing a supportive international family for our students. Its caring environment nurtures key life skills such as self-discipline, self-management and leadership. With over 45 different nationalities represented in the boarding community, and over 80 in the student body as a whole, our students readily gain the international exposure and understanding that is central to the UWC experience. Our boarders not only gain insights into many different cultures, but also discover a deeper appreciation of what is special about their own.

Life in the boarding community is enriched by the scholars who make up around 30% of our residential boarding community. They are students from all over the world who would not normally be able to access a UWCSEA education. They are given a place at UWCSEA on the basis of both their academic ability and their commitment to the UWC mission and values. Our scholars contribute much to the rich and diverse life in our international boarding community. The perspectives they bring are an important factor in bringing the UWC mission to life on our campuses and in our community.

An easily accessible global hub, the self-contained nature of Singapore, with its urbanised development, extensive transport systems and secure environment makes it easy and safe for our boarders to explore the island. Our boarders are given meaningful independence in a global city and fast-paced urban environment through a carefully monitored programme that supports them to develop important life skills on, and outside of, the campus. Because of our location in Singapore, our boarding programme is a genuine pre-university residential experience that is almost unique in being able to provide opportunities for an individual student to test the key skills of independence and self-management in the ‘outside’ world. 

Many boarders enjoy their experience so much and form so many strong friendships that they find it difficult to leave our community at the end of their schooling. The lasting links they establish with friends across the world are a demonstration of both their life-defining experience while at UWCSEA and their identity as global citizens.

Both campuses offer residential boarding for students aged 13 years and up (Grade 8 and above). You can find out more about joining our boarding community in our admissions pages, watching our videos, exploring our multimedia stories, downloading our brochure or requesting to meet up on one of our overseas outreach tours.