Applications for a Fall 2026 qualifying term will open February 1, 2026.
If you are currently an undergraduate student at the University of Waterloo and wish to apply to a program in the School of Public Health Sciences (SPHS), you will be applying for an internal transfer.
If you are currently an undergraduate student at another university or college, you will need to apply for an external transfer. Find out how to apply here.
Programs offered
The School of Public Health Sciences offers Honours undergraduate programs in Health Sciences (BSc) and Public Health (BPH).
Students should note the following program and/or faculty-specific questions before proceeding.
Arts, Environment, and Recreation – Have the necessary prerequisites been taken in high school and, have these previously been strong subjects, and if Psychology or other Arts courses did not go well in Arts what would be different about the Health Sciences or Public Health program where those same subjects are required?
Science, Engineering, Math – Have the necessary prerequisites been taken in high school and, if BIOL and/or CHEM courses did not go well, what would be different about Health Sciences where those same subjects are required?
You will need to choose a target program. Please review the Health Sciences (Bachelor of Science - Honours) and Public Health (Bachelor of Public Health - Honours) plans in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Co-op is not guaranteed upon transferring to SPHS. Students already in a co-op program are reviewed on a case-by-case basis to keep co-op status.
Transferring to School of Public Health Sciences (SPHS)
Why do you want to transfer to SPHS?
A good answer would be, "I have taken Health courses, find the subjects interesting, and a Health program fits with my future career goals."
A bad answer would be, "I have been required to withdraw, need to continue studies at Waterloo in any BSc, so I'll try to transfer to Health Sciences."
Determine admissibility to SPHS
All applicants must meet the high school admission requirements for your target program. If you do not meet the high school admission requirements, you may complete the UW equivalents:
- CHEM 120 in lieu of 4U Chemistry.
- BIOL 130 in lieu of 4U Biology.
- ENGL 109 in lieu of 4U English.
- Any 100-level MATH course in lieu of 4U Mathematics.
Strength of past university performance and available grades will be taken into consideration. The UW student record is assigned a greater weight than any previous academic records.
Transfer process
- Submit internal transfer application between February 1 and May 31 noon (12:00 p.m. EDT).
- Submission of an online application does not mean immediate approval for a Fall qualifying term.
- SPHS Advising reviews applications and sends out decisions by mid-June.
- Approved students pursue Fall qualifying term.
- SPHS Advising provides admission decisions the following January.
What is a Qualifying Term?
Students will pursue courses required for their target SPHS program. Courses to be taken during a qualifying term will be determined by the department upon offer of a qualifying term.
- Qualifying terms are only offered in the Fall.
- Due to demand, there are very limited seats available for qualifying terms.
Qualifying Term minimum grade transfer requirements
| Average on at least five courses required for target program (incl HLTH) | Minimum term cumulative average of HLTH courses | Minimum term cumulative average of non-HLTH required courses |
|---|---|---|
|
75% |
80% |
70% |
Submit SPHS Internal Transfer Application
IMPORTANT: Deadline for Internal Transfer Application submission is May 31 at noon (12 p.m.) ETD for a Fall Qualifying Term.
We are unable to know in advance how many Qualifying Term spaces will be available to internal transfer candidates. Please complete the Internal Transfer Application, and decisions will come out mid-June.
Questions?
Questions about degree programs in the School of Public Health Sciences? Wondering if this is the right degree for you? What courses would you be taking during the Qualifying Term? These conversations cannot be handled easily via email because there are normally many questions requiring some discussion.
Schedule an appointment with an SPHS Advisor to discuss admissibility, the transfer process, and future course plans. Alternatively, we have daily open-door office hours in BMH 1056/1044, from 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM.