UWC colleges and schools deliver a challenging and transformational education to more than 7,500 students each year.

There are currently 18 UWC schools and colleges comprising of students aged between 2 and 19 across Canada, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Norway, Singapore, Swaziland, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Armenia, Costa Rica, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Netherlands. The alumni network spans over 50,000 from more than 180 nations. The main UWC international office is located in London.

Out of the present institutions, nine currently teach the IB (International Baccalaureate) with the schools in the Netherlands, Singapore and Swaziland teaching pre-16 syllabus to younger students. On average, each of these institutions consists 200 to 300 students from around 85 countries. The National Committees scattered across 140 countries source the students and help them to apply and go through the formalities of coming to a UWC. Their selection of students is purposefully diverse from various backgrounds and experiences in order to ensure a mix of all kinds of students being present in one environment. Students can be on full and partial scholarships based on their needs and merits, while there are some who are full fee paying.

All UWC schools and colleges are influenced by their local geography and culture.  Each year, with a variety of nationalities, cultures, backgrounds and languages, the student body adds a further influence.