King's University College social work admission requirements: start in first year, apply to the BSW in year two

King's says its Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) begins in third year. On OUAC, the social work code EKS is marked Social Work (Year 3 entry only). So a Grade 12 student applies to King's for a general first year, often in a program area such as Social Science, and then applies to the BSW later.

King's says everyone starts in a general first year. If you are entering first year and want social work, King's tells you to see an academic adviser about choosing the required courses. Do this in your first term so you don't miss a prerequisite.

Ontario students need an OSSD and at least six Grade 12 U or M courses, not counting co-op, including ENG4U. For Social Sciences and Arts and Humanities programs, ENG4U is the only named course. There is no math or science requirement for these programs.

King's does not post an entering average for its first year programs on the pages we checked. Your final average still matters, for scholarships and because strong study habits carry into the BSW application. Track your number with our Top 6 average calculator.

To apply to the BSW, you need 10.0 courses with an overall average of 70%. Within those, you need at least 70% in each of SW 1025A/B Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare, SW 1026A/B Introduction to Social Work Practice and Communication Skills, SW 2216A/B Introduction to Generalist Social Work Practice and Theories, and an approved Writing course.

You also need at least 60% in SW 2206A/B Research Methods for Social Workers or an approved equivalent, such as Sociology 2206A/B. The rest is 0.5 course from Category B (arts and humanities), 1.0 course from Category C (science), and 6.0 courses in any subject. You must also meet Western's first year rules: 5.0 first year courses, with 1.0 course in two of Categories A, B and C.

King's scores each eligible applicant out of 100. The academic score is worth 50 points. The personal profile of work, volunteer and professional development is worth 30. The three supplemental questions are worth 20. Offers go to the highest total scores. The checklist adds that you need at least 30 non-academic points.

Meeting the minimums only gets your file read. King's says it does not guarantee admission, and that a competitive score changes every year. It admits about 45 to 50 students a year. Some spots each year are set aside for Indigenous, French speaking and Black or People of Colour applicants.

The three questions ask about your experience and career goals (350 words maximum), what you bring to work with diverse groups (300 words), and how you have prepared for social work (150 words). Answers must be in essay form. King's marks them on content, clear writing, analysis, and creativity and originality.

You also need two confidential references, ideally from work or volunteer roles in social services. Family, friends, therapists and professors can't be referees. Every applicant also takes Casper, an online situational judgment test of 65 to 85 minutes. King's says it was the first school of social work in Canada to use Casper, starting in Fall 2025.

Volunteer and work experience in years one and two will feed both the profile and your references. Start early.

For first year, King's lists OUAC opening September 18 and January 15 as the equal consideration date for students studying in Ontario. Ontario high school students accept by June 1, which also secures guaranteed residence. Compare dates on our Ontario deadlines page.

The BSW application opens December 1 and closes March 15 of your second year. Courses must be finished by July. For the 2027 BSW intake, King's listed Casper dates from September 22, 2026 to March 18, 2027. If you start first year in Fall 2027, your own BSW application would fall in spring 2029, so check the guide for that year.

Full time BSW students take 5.0 courses in year three and 5.0 in year four. Year three covers direct practice skills, Indigenous social work, ethics and the law, and practice with families, groups and communities. To move on, you need a 70% overall average in year three, at least 60% in each course, and a satisfactory practicum.

Year four includes organizational practice, Canadian social policy, practice based research and 2.5 social work electives. Elective topics include child welfare, mental health, trauma and addictions. Classes are small, usually 20 to 25 students. King's says the BSW is not offered online, hybrid, part time or by distance.

King's BSW pages describe supervised practica, not a co-op program. The BSW program page lists more than 700 total hours: 210 hours in the first BSW year and up to 525 hours in the second. The Admissions Guide describes these as 200 or more hours in year three and 500 or more in year four. The two pages use slightly different numbers, so confirm the exact hours with the School.

Practicum costs such as parking, travel, training and police checks are yours to pay. A car may be needed for some community placements.

King's 2026-27 fee schedule for Ontario residents shows $8,634.17 for a full time first year student taking 4.0 credits or more. That includes $6,171.00 in tuition plus activity fees, health and dental, a bus pass and orientation. Years 2 to 4 are $8,433.78.

These are King's own numbers for all programs except BMOS. Residence, food, books and practicum costs are extra. Out of province and international students have separate schedules.

For 2026-27, King's gives automatic entrance scholarships to high school students based on the final average: $1500.00 for 85.0% to 89.9%, $2500.00 for 90.0% to 94.9%, and $3500.00 for 95.0% or above. You must stay registered in four courses.

Many King's awards with an application window list January 1, 2027 to April 30, 2027. Once you are in the BSW, King's lists social work awards and bursaries with deadlines that generally fall at the end of September.

King's OUAC list includes Social Science (EKO), Social Justice and Peace Studies (EKJ) and Thanatology (EKT). These admit you from Grade 12 and lead to other degrees. They don't lead to registration as a social worker. The BSW does: King's says all graduates can apply to the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.

A good plan is to start in a program you would be happy to finish. If the BSW doesn't work out, you still have a degree path. If you want a BSW with no second application, compare Ontario schools that admit from Grade 12, such as TMU social work.

Your child's first offer from King's is not an offer to the BSW. The real selection happens in year two, with about 45 to 50 spots. Grades in four social work and writing courses, real volunteer work, and two strong references all count.

Help your child plan volunteer hours early and keep a backup degree in mind. Read our King's guide for campus and residence details.