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 2026 will open May 12, 2025

Bachelor's (BA or equivalent) degree from an accredited university 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 ON-LINE APPLICATION to OUAC

Step 1:  Complete your Bachelor of Social Work and pay a non-refundable application fee of $130 CAD. (CODE = WRW). 

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

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

You will receive an acknowledgement email from Undergraduate Admissions within 10 business days of submitting your on-line application to OUAC, with instructions for logging in to QUEST to complete your Admission Information Form (AIF), upload your application materials and supporting documentation. Your Waterloo ID (identification) number will be assigned and sent to you in this e-mail. You should 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 2026 will OPEN May 12, 2025.

Step 2: Submit your Social Work Admission Information Form (AIF) through QUEST

Step 2: Upon receipt of your acknowledgement e-mail, your next step is to log in to QUEST to submit* your Social Work Admission Information Form (AIF), including contact details for your THREE referees** (1 academic and 2 professional). This should be done by the AIF deadline, (July 21, 2025) but we strongly encourage applicants to submit their AIF as early as they can in order to give their referees as much time as possible.

  • You do not have to upload any documents when you submit your AIF. 
  • 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 is August 5, 2025. 

Step 3: Prepare your Personal Statement.

Step 3: 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 completing Part A.

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).

  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 you 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 must be uploaded on Quest and saved as a PDF and be no larger than 3000KB. Your personal statement is due August 5, 2025.

For more information on uploading your document

Step 4: Upload your application materials and supporting documentation

Step 4: Upload your application materials and supporting documentation including:

  • Unofficial transcripts* (post-secondary) 
  • Personal statement
  • Resume

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

  • All supporting documentation including  transcripts, personal statement, and resume must be uploaded to Quest by August 5, 2025.
  • Important note about transcripts: University of Waterloo/Renison students do not have to submit their Waterloo transcripts, and high school transcripts are NOT required.

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

For all other BSW application enquiries, please contact renison.bsw@uwaterloo.ca