BSW - How To Apply to our Full-Time Program

Complete your online application using the following program code: WSW – Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) and pay a non-refundable application fee of $130 CAD. 

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

You will receive an acknowledgement e-mail from Undergraduate Admissions within 10 business days of submitting your on-line application to OUAC, with instructions for logging into Waterloo Applicant Portal to upload your application materials and supporting documentation. Your Waterloo ID (identification) number will be assigned and sent to you in this e-mail. Please check your junk mail folder for these e-mails as many e-mail programs put mass mailings in junk mail folders. 

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

Upon receipt of your acknowledgement e-mail, your next step is to log in to Waterloo Applicant Portal. You will be providing contact details for your THREE referees** (1 academic and 2 professional). This should be done by January 6, 2026, but we 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 more  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). The deadline for references to respond is January 20, 2026. 

* Please note applicants are no longer using Quest to submit documentation. All information should be provided through the Waterloo Applicant Portal.

Please tell us about your interest in social work!

Social work practice is guided by seven values found in The Guidelines for Ethical Practice and Code of Ethics. We encourage you to review these documents to familiarize yourself with these values prior to answering these questions below. Please 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 have overcome these obstacles? (approximately 250 words)

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

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

 Your personal statement and all supplemental information is due January 20, 2026.

Uploading Documents:

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

   Your personal statement and all supplemental information is due January 20, 2026.

*If you requested your transcripts via OUAC, you do not have to upload additional copies. Check the Waterloo Applicant Portal to ensure we have received all your supporting documents.

• *Important note about transcripts: University of Waterloo/Renison students do not have to submit their Waterloo transcripts, and high school transcripts are NOT required.

Helpful information can be found at Undergraduate Admissions.