JOIN THE BEST EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY IN COSTA RICA!
Learn from nature, study abroad at UWC Costa Rica, and discover the possibilities of our New Campus!
Ages 16–18 eligible
2-Year Boarding Experience
International Community
Learn in a country where nature is the teacher and sustainability the priority
Explore rainforests, beaches, and amazing wildlife while learning about sustainability and reciprocity. Immerse yourself in local communities and discover eco-friendly solutions on a fun, unforgettable adventure.
Learn While Exploring
Distinct programs like “Getting to Know Costa Rica” or Community Action Week take the student community to every corner of the country to learn from local communities, drive positive social impact, and develop global leadership skills.
Academic Excellence
UWC Costa Rica offers a two-year boarding experience to complete the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, with exceptional academic results that consistently surpass global averages.
Hands-On Sustainability
Sustainable practices lead all activities. Grants are awarded for student projects during the Agents of Change Camp; sustainability tournaments are held across all campus residences; and a long list of Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) experiences are designed with sustainability in mind, such as Compost Champions CAS and Greenhouse CAS.
CAS Experiences
These experiences take place both on and off campus, allowing students to engage directly with communities, create meaningful change, practice sports & creativity, and develop leadership and independence.
An international, life-changing experience
Studying at UWC Costa Rica means joining ~200 students from 60+ countries while pursuing the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma! Making lifelong friends, exploring new cultures, and living your education every day!
Discovering Identity
Every student lives in one of the residences, each with its own community and traditions, dating back to the first generation in 2006. Each residence has a coordinator who lives on campus and provides guidance and support throughout the two years at UWC Costa Rica. Living in residences also means sharing rooms with new people, understanding new cultures, and potentially building friendships that last a lifetime.
Living in a Safe Environment
UWC Costa Rica’s Wellness Team supports the mental, physical, and emotional health of all members of the UWC Costa Rica community through routine checks with all students, shared peer spaces, and ongoing activities that strengthen community and communication. A dedicated medical team is also ready to address the community’s needs, in partnership with local insurance companies and hospitals, so each student can receive any care they may require.
Safeguarding
UWC Costa Rica is dedicated to safeguarding all students from all forms of harm. Safeguarding is aimed at promoting student welfare and protecting children from physical, emotional, neglectful, and sexual abuse. This includes promoting student well-being in both physical and digital environments.
UWC Costa Rica is just the start: university opportunities
UWC Costa Rica, in partnership with the Davis Foundation, provides university counseling to all students, helping them access scholarship opportunities at top universities in the United States and around the world, as well as gap-year experiences. Over $15 million in scholarships were granted in the last year alone!
Access to Top Universities
The distinctive Future Pathways and University Counseling Program provides individualized, comprehensive advising to support each student’s academic and professional aspirations.
Combined with the rigorous education at UWC Costa Rica and a special partnership with the Davis Foundation, this personalized guidance opens pathways to scholarships and admission at leading universities in the United States and around the world.
Professionals Ready to Make a Change
Since its opening in 2006, UWC Costa Rica has graduated over 1,600 alums, including professionals in Global Studies, Economics, Political Science, Fine Arts, and more.
UWC Costa Rica offers leadership and soft-skills development, so every student can pursue their desired professional pathways after their two-year experience.
Alum Showcase
Meet Barrise, Climate Change Specialist
Learn more about Barrise Griffin ’14 from The Bahamas, UWC Costa Rica Alum and Climate Change Specialist.
“Costa Rica, and even my career experiences and my overall travel experiences, I can always bet on myself to figure it out because it is only me, and this is the life I see for myself, and that everything that you want, you can get it.”
Alum Showcase
Meet Andrés, Filmmaker
Learn more about Andrés Bronnimann ’13 from Costa Rica, UWC Costa Rica Alum and Filmmaker & Creative AI Specialist.
“I was someone, and I am someone after UWC. What I liked most about the school was that they gave you the freedom to experiment with whatever you wanted. […] UWC gave me the drive and the strength you need to believe in yourself.”
Alum Showcase
Meet Liza, Political Leader
Learn more about Liza Gashi ’09 from Kosovo, UWC Costa Rica alum and Political Leader in Kosovo.
“I’ve reached the point where I’m in a position where I can make a difference, and I’m trying to live every day my mission, but also to live that vision of UWC, of providing changemakers across the world…”
BECOME A PIONEER IN A CAMPUS COMPLETELY EMBEDDED WITHIN NATURE
UWC Costa Rica is ready to open its New Campus for the 2027-2028 Academic Year! The new campus in San Isidro de Heredia enables UWC to expand its mission to a broader audience and offers a unique, nature-immersed space that cultivates a new generation of agents of change.
New Facilities & Learning Opportunities
Our campus features versatile learning spaces, including 19 adaptable classrooms, 5 science laboratories, and dedicated music and art rooms. Beyond academics, students can collaborate in an open-concept library, enjoy daily meals on a cafeteria balcony with panoramic Central Valley views, and stay active with a comprehensive Sports Center and six kilometers of nature trails. The campus is also powered by our Sustainability & Innovation Center—a collaborative hub with a multi-purpose auditorium and co-working spaces—and intentionally designed student residences offering private study areas alongside vibrant community spaces.
A Sustainable Construction as a Living Laboratory
Designed around the institutional Sustainability Framework, the new campus serves as a reference model for eco-conscious construction. Developed alongside local and international partners, the facility aligns with Costa Rica’s National Decarbonization Plan 2018–2050 by allocating 80% of its total property area (39 hectares) to ecosystem conservation and field education.
Learning within nature
Six kilometers of designated trails span the property, giving the UWC Costa Rica community and San Isidro residents spaces to wind down and stay active while immersed in nature.
Thirty-nine (39) hectares of the 50-hectare property remain permanently allocated to natural conservation & restoration, and spaces to learn directly from nature.
San Isidro: An Ideal Place to Learn
San Isidro de Heredia provides a secure environment for experiential learning. San Isidro ranks 4th nationally in the Human Development Index (IDH 0.894) and holds the number one (1) place in national citizen security metrics, offering a safe and peaceful setting for students to develop.
San Isidro is bordered to the north by the second-largest National Park (Braulio Carrillo), home to thousands of protected species of flora and fauna. The climate is cooler, with spectacular views of the central valley and two volcanoes, Irazú and Turrialba.
Begin your adventure now!
Start your application via the Global Selection Programme to join the community in Costa Rica for the next academic year!
