BSW - How To Apply to our Part-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 Waterloo uses an online application process for all undergraduate programs.

Part-time studies

The part time application process for entry into WINTER 2027 will open on May 12, 2026 and will close in OUAC on July 8, 2026. Subsequent deadlines (July 22, August 6) for 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? 

Follow this link for a complete list of admission requirements.

Applying is a multi-step process:

Step 1: Complete your ONLINE APPLICATION to OUAC

Complete your online application using the following program code: WRW – Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) Part Time, andpay 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. 

Part-time BSW application for Winter 2027 will OPEN May 12, 2026 and CLOSE on July 8, 2026.

Step 2: Acknowledgement Email and Waterloo Applicant Portal

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 July 22, 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 August 6, 2026. 

* Please note applicants are no longer using Quest to submit documentation. All information should be provided through the Waterloo 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 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 is due August 6, 2026.

Step 4: Upload your application materials (Supplemental Information)

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 August 6, 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.

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 inquiries, please contact renison.socialwork@uwaterloo.ca. We receive a high volume of emails for both BSW and MSW programs, so appreciate your patience in response.