University of Calgary social work admission requirements: direct entry from high school, low 80s average

UCalgary offers three ways into its BSW. The direct entry option is the one for you. UCalgary says it is open to high school applicants and to transfer students with fewer than 57 units of university courses outside social work. It runs for four years, full time, on the main campus in Calgary.

The other two routes are not for Grade 12 students. The 20 month blended option and the 22 month online option need 57 units of university study, a finished degree, or an approved Alberta Social Work Diploma. If you are in high school now, apply to direct entry.

Ontario students need ENG4U plus four approved courses, and one of the four can be an approved option. The approved course list includes any 4U course, so you have a lot of room. It names MHF4U, MDM4U and MCV4U, SBI4U, SCH4U, SPH4U, ICS4U, CHI4U, CHY4U or CGW4U, 4U fine arts, any 4U second language, and TEJ4M. Approved options include 4M courses in business studies, equity studies, geography, science and technological education.

Two courses in the same subject don't both count, except for MHF4U, MDM4U and MCV4U. Alberta students need English Language Arts 30-1 and four approved courses. The Alberta list includes Social Studies 30-1, Biology 30, Chemistry 30, Physics 30, Science 30, Mathematics 30-1, 30-2 or 31, and Aboriginal Studies 30.

There is no required math or science. Pick the courses you do best in. Our course planner can help you map Grade 12.

UCalgary lists an estimated competitive admission average in the low 80s for both Ontario and Alberta students. That is an estimate from the admissions office. It is not a guaranteed cutoff, and it can move from year to year. UCalgary does not publish an acceptance rate or a number of seats for the BSW.

UCalgary reviews your file more than once. The early review looks at four approved courses from Grade 11. It makes fewer offers, at a higher average. The standard review looks at five program courses from Grade 11 or 12, with at least one Grade 12 course. Most offers come from the standard review. If you get an early offer, you must still finish your Grade 12 courses and keep up the average.

Aim for the mid 80s to give yourself room. Work out your number with our Top 6 average calculator.

The regular high school route has no essay, interview or reference letter on the program page. Your grades decide it. You must also meet UCalgary's English language requirement.

There are two extra review routes. The Student Access Process gives a second look to students who faced barriers such as illness, disability or money problems. To use it, you must ask for it on your application by March 1 and send a personal statement by March 15. Indigenous Admissions is open to First Nations, Métis and Inuit applicants who self-identify on the application.

UCalgary has posted Fall 2027 dates on the social work page. Applications open October 1, 2026 and close March 1, 2027. The general dates page lists the matching yearly steps. Documents are due March 15. You must accept an offer dated April 1 or earlier by May 1. High school courses must be done by June 30, and final transcripts are due August 1.

UCalgary also lists December 1 as the deadline for its Prestige Award for incoming high school students. Compare dates on our Canadian deadlines page.

In years one and two, you take classes on campus. Most of them are outside social work. UCalgary says these years build a strong academic foundation. In years three and four, you move into social work courses. These run in a blended format, part on campus and part live online. Social work classes run in three hour blocks on Mountain Time.

Core topics include advocacy for social justice, professional ethics, research, mental health, and Indigenous peoples' histories, cultures and healing practices. Option courses cover areas such as addictions and recovery, gerontology, loss and grief, child welfare and work with immigrants and refugees.

UCalgary's BSW pages describe practicums, not a co-op program. You'll do two. Starting in year three, you complete 300 hours in a Community Engaged Practicum through SOWK 390 and SOWK 392. In your final year, you complete a 400 hour practicum in SOWK 590 in the winter term.

The final practicum is 32 hours a week, with Tuesday to Friday as practicum days. That is close to a full time job, so plan your money and part time work early. A registered social worker supervises the final practicum.

UCalgary charges tuition per course. Social work falls in the Most Faculties group. The calendar rate, effective Spring Term 2026, is $738.66 per 3 unit course for domestic students and $3,078.21 for international students.

Our estimate: if you take five courses in fall and five in winter, domestic tuition is about $7,386.60 for 2026-27. That is our math from UCalgary's rate, not a university figure. General fees, books, housing and food are extra. UCalgary's cost estimator can give a fuller number.

UCalgary's President's Admission Scholarship is worth $5000 and is not renewable. It goes to students entering first year from high school with a final admission average of 95.00% or higher. You don't apply for it. It is automatic.

Most social work applicants will be below that line, so also apply for UCalgary's other entrance awards when you apply for admission. The award application opens October 1.

Social work is one of the more open direct entry programs at UCalgary, with a low 80s estimate. Psychology at UCalgary is also popular with students who want to help people, but it leads to a different degree. Only the BSW leads to registration as a social worker.

If you want a research or counselling path, read our UCalgary psychology page. If you want a regulated health career with clinical placements, compare the UCalgary nursing page.

This is a true four year path. There is no second application in year two on the pages we checked. Your child applies once from high school, takes two years of broad courses, then moves into social work and two practicums.

The final year practicum takes four days a week, so part time work will be hard that winter. Graduates can start registration with the social work regulator. Read our UCalgary guide for residence and campus life.