BSW - How To Apply to our Full-Time Program

The School of Social Work seeks to reflect a diverse student population and welcomes applications from qualified individuals of all ages, gender identities, cultural, racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds, sexual orientations, and abilities.

All applicants must follow the application procedures below. The University of À¶Ý®ÊÓÆµ uses an online application process for all undergraduate programs.


Full-time studies

The full-time BSW application open September 18, 2025 and close December 17th.ÌýSubsequent deadlinesÌý(January 6th & January 20th)Ìýfor other pieces of the application are explained below.

Bachelor's (BA or equivalent) degree from an accredited university (ideally with social science focus, or at least 5 relevant social science courses beyond the 7 prerequisites) is a mandatory entrance requirement to our BSW program. No Exceptions will be considered.


Are you eligible to apply to our program?Ìý

Follow this link for a complete list of admission requirements


Applying is a four-step process:

Step 1: Complete your online application to OUAC

Complete your Ìýusing the following program code: WSW – Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) andÌýpay a non-refundable application fee of $130 CAD.Ìý

  • Please note that the application can only be accessed through the aboveÌýlink, not from the OUAC home page. Ìý

You will receive an acknowledgementÌýe-mailÌýfrom Undergraduate Admissions within 10 business days of submitting your on-line application toÌý, with instructions for logging intoÌýÀ¶Ý®ÊÓÆµ Applicant PortalÌýto upload your application materials and supporting documentation. Your À¶Ý®ÊÓÆµ ID (identification) number will be assigned and sent to you in thisÌýe-mail. Please check your junk mail folder for theseÌýe-mailsÌýas manyÌýe-mailÌýprograms put mass mailings in junk mail folders.Ìý

Full-time BSW application for Fall 2026 OPEN September 18, 2025 and CLOSE December 17, 2025. No late OUAC applications will be considered.

Step 2: Acknowledgement Email and À¶Ý®ÊÓÆµ Applicant Portal

Upon receipt of your acknowledgementÌýe-mail, your next step is to log in to À¶Ý®ÊÓÆµ Applicant Portal. You will be providingÌýcontact details for your THREE referees** (1 academic and 2 professional).ÌýThis should be done byÌýJanuary 6, 2026, butÌýwe strongly encourage applicants to submit this information early to give their referees as much time as possible to fill out the form.

  • The academic reference must be from an instructor who has taught you in one or moreÌý courses. The professional references can be sought from any of the following: an employment supervisor; a volunteer supervisor; a helping professional (eg, social worker, religious leader, doctor, psychiatrist or similar community-based professional).ÌýThe deadline for references to respond isÌýJanuary 20, 2026.Ìý

* Please note applicants are no longer using Quest to submit documentation. All information should be provided through the À¶Ý®ÊÓÆµ Applicant Portal.

Step 3: Prepare your personal statement

Please tell us about your interest in social work!

Social work practice is guided by seven values found in ÌýandÌý. We encourage you to review these documents to familiarize yourself with these values prior to answering these questions below.ÌýPlease note that the information you provide will be confidential.

Central to social work practice is the pursuit of social justice for individuals, families, groups, and communities. Social workers promote social fairness and the equitable distribution of resources, and act to reduce barriers and expand choice for all persons, with special regard for those who are marginalized, disadvantaged, or vulnerable. Social workers oppose prejudice and discrimination against any person or group of persons, on any grounds, and specifically challenge views and actions that stereotype particular persons or groups (CASW, 2015).

The School of Social Work values diverse experiences, knowledges, and perspectives and recognizes that one’s passion for social work may be influenced by life experiences that are shaped by racism, anti-Black racism, xenophobia, anti-Indigenous racism and colonization, sexism and cissexism, homophobia and transphobia, classism, and ableism, among other forms of discrimination. In the questions below, we offer you the opportunity to tell us about yourself, your lived experiences, and interest in social work and social justice.

Personal Statement Questions (4):

  1. Tell us how your own strengths and skills will impact your Social Work learning and practise? (approximately 250 words)
  2. What are some of the systemic obstacles that you have faced? What are some of the ways you haveÌýovercome these obstacles? (approximately 250 words)

  3. ÌýHow have you been a leader? What did you learn from this experience? (approximately 250 words)

  4. ÌýWho is/are your community/ies? How do you give and receive support in this/these community/ies? (approximately 250 words)Ìý

ÌýYour personal statement and all supplemental information is dueÌýJanuary 20,Ìý2026.

Step 4: Upload your Application Materials (Supplemental Information):

Uploading Documents:

  • For more information on how to upload your documents please visit the À¶Ý®ÊÓÆµ ApplicantÌýPortal.
  • All supplemental information (Declaration of Academic Experience, Required Courses form, Personal Statement, Resume, and Transcripts) will be uploaded within the student applicant portal.

    ÌýYour personal statement and all supplemental information is dueÌýJanuary 20,Ìý2026.

*If you requested your transcripts via OUAC, you do not have to upload additional copies. Check the À¶Ý®ÊÓÆµ Applicant Portal to ensure we have received all yourÌýsupporting documents.

  • *Important note about transcripts: University of À¶Ý®ÊÓÆµ/Renison students do not have to submit theirÌýÀ¶Ý®ÊÓÆµ transcripts, andÌýhigh school transcripts areÌýNOTÌýrequired.

Helpful information can be found atÌýUndergraduateÌýAdmissions.

If you're experiencing difficulties uploading your materials, or if you have any questions about how to upload your materials, please contact arts.admission@uwaterloo.ca

For all other BSW application enquiries, please contact The School of Social Work.ÌýWe receive a high volume of emails for both BSW and MSW programs, so appreciate your patience in response.