UWC Mostar

10 February 2025

Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

204 students, aged 15 to 19
Founded 2006

Established in 2006, UWC Mostar is the only UWC college built into a post-conflict country dedicated to "building bridges between people and cultures through inspiring, quality education". It uniquely contributes to peacebuilding and the development of Mostar and Bosnia and Herzegovina, demonstrating through local partnerships how education can unite, inspire and engage for a peaceful and sustainable future.

Three unique features:

The first UWC with an explicit aim to contribute to the reconstruction of a post-conflict society: UWC Mostar educates students to learn and appreciate their differences, at the same time promoting equality, tolerance and critical thinking.

Local Community: The interaction of students with the local community is the essence of UWC Mostar. Annually, students and staff organise projects and over 100 events are open to Mostar and the wider community.

Foundation Education in Action: UWC Mostar was established by the Foundation Education in Action, which aims to become a reference point for educational reform in the country and provide high quality teacher training with a specific focus on objective external assessment, curricular innovations and innovative learning methods.

Apply to UWC Mostar

Academic curriculum

Our students follow the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), which is made up of three core components and six subject groups.

Average class size: 13 students

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

Core components

Theory of Knowledge: students reflect on the nature of knowledge and on how we know what we claim to know.
The Extended Essay: an independent, self-directed piece of research, finishing with a 4,000-word paper.
Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS): students take part in a range of experiences and at least one project.

Subjects

Studies in language and literature: English Language & Literature, English Literature, Bosnian Literature, Croatian Literature, Serbian Literature, School Supported Self-Taught Literature
Language acquisition: English B, German ab initio, German B, Spanish ab initio, Spanish B
Individuals and societies: Economics, History, Social & Cultural Anthropology, Global Politics
Sciences: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Systems & Societies
Mathematics: Mathematics: Analysis & Approaches, Mathematics: Applications & Interpretation
The arts: Visual Arts, Theatre

Co-curricular

All students at UWC complete a co-curricular programme called Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) - an integral part of the IB qualification. Students get the opportunity to choose a physical, a creative and a social service activity.

Physical activities:

Advanced Contemporary Dance
Advanced Swimming
Swimming for beginners
Badminton
Basketball
Climbing
Football A+H
Gym
Half-marathon preparation
Krav Maga
Latin Dance
Martial arts - self-defense
Outdoor Leadership
Ping Pong
Silking
Traditional Dubka - Bosnian dances
Volleyball
Workout
Yoga

Creative Activities:

3D Modelling
American Sign Language
Astrology
Astronomy
Book Club
Chess
Computer science
Creative writing
Crocheting
Debate
Desert cooking
Entrepreneurship CAS
European Youth Parliament
Film CAS
French CAS
Gaming CAS
History club
Japanese CAS
Math Competition
Model United Nations (MUN)
Music Ensemble
Music Production
Musical Theatre
Newspaper
Philosophy CAS
Poetry Slam UWCiM
Poetry CAS
Robotics
Street Art
TEDxUWCiM
UWCiM Legal
Consulting Team
Video / Film making (using mobile phones)
Yearbook

Social service:

Bright smile
Ciciban Kindergarten
Cultural Week
Dog Shelter
Ecological Awareness/Gardening
English conversational classes
English Support
Erase the hate
FemX Dignitet
Fixing CAS
Gen Z: UWCiM
Home for elderly
Keeping up with UWCiM,
Documenting
Kosaca Library
Lab assistant
Lab Cooperation
Los Rosales
Math Team CAS + Science Task
Force
MOPS
Music Room
Orphanage
Peer support
Radobolja kindergarten
Rhythmba
Special Needs School
Workshop CAS

Facilities and residences

UWC Mostar distinguishes itself from other UWCs with its unique urban setting, located in the city centre alongside the Mostar Gimnazija. Science classes utilise well-equipped labs in the Gimnazija, while classrooms, a spacious library and assembly spaces are spread across shared locations.

Facilities

Library
Large Study Room
Gym
Football / Handball Pitch
Volleyball Court
Athletics Track
Access to Local Swimming Pool
College Canteen
Visual Arts Studio
Theatre Arts Studio
Music Room

Residential accommodation

UWC Mostar’s accommodation is spread across the city in five residences. 2-4 students are accommodated per room and each residence has a master kitchen, laundry rooms, a common room, kitchenettes on each floor as well as apartments for House Parents (parents providing residential support to students). One of the residences is also equipped with a gym available to all students.

Wellbeing support

Medical provisions

Resident doctor present at the school
Ambulance visits twice a week and on call college nurse visits all five residences daily
Nurse taking visits in consultation office
Easily accessible medical care within the city for both physical and mental health care
Emergency medical care, medical services and hospitals available in the city of Mostar

Academic and emotional wellbeing:

The school supports students’ academic and emotional wellbeing through:

Counselling department providing mental health support
Each student assigned a personal tutor that provides both personal and academic support
House Parent in each residence who provides practical living support
Two additional part-time House Parents and House Fellows (teachers that provide weekend residential support)
Learning Support Coordinator
Peer Support programme where students are trained to offer support to other students
Students of colour mentor available to support students in developing deeper understanding of issues related to racism
LGBTQ+ student mentor