Western University Psychology admission requirements: BA/BSc with 81% cutoff for honours, co-op internships, Fall 2027

From high school, you do not apply to psychology itself. You apply to Western's Social Science program, OUAC code EO. Western lists ENG4U as the only required course and gives an admission average guideline of the low to mid 80s for Ontario students. It says an average in that range does not guarantee admission. Western recommends a Grade 12 U or M math, because all psychology specializations and majors need a first-year university math course. For the BSc in Psychology, Western says SBI4U, and SCH4U or SPH4U, may also be needed for your courses. The first-year class is about 850 students, and the degree takes 3 to 5 years. Submit your OUAC application by January 15, 2027 for equal consideration.

After first year, Honours is competitive and the Major is not. For Honours you need 81% in first year. For the Major you need 60% in your first-year psychology courses.

Both BA and BSc degrees are available. The BA emphasizes humanities and social science electives. The BSc requires additional science coursework. Your first-year grades decide which module you can enter. If you want the BSc, plan for first-year biology and chemistry, physics or computer science as well.

All psychology students must complete Psychology 1002 and Psychology 1003 with a minimum grade of 60% in each. Psychology 1002 has no prerequisites. Psychology 1003 requires Psychology 1002 as a prerequisite, so you must take them in sequence.

Additionally, students pursuing Honours or Major must take Data Science 1000 (mandatory) and one additional mathematics course. For Honours, you need 60% in both the Data Science course and the additional math. Data Science 1000 is a 0.5 credit, and the second math is another 0.5 credit at Western.

The Honours Specialization has limited enrolment. The department says the 75% minimum in the Western Calendar is not enough, and the current cut-off is 81%. For students finishing year one, the average is based on 3.0 credits of first-year principal courses, including the two first-year psychology courses and the two first-year math courses.

You must also complete 5.0 first-year credits total. After you are accepted into Honours, you must maintain a 75% modular average to keep your place in the program.

The psychology department says you must have at least one of these Ontario math courses: MCV4U, MDM4U, MHF4U, MCF3M or MCR3U. It prefers one of the first three, which are Grade 12 courses. MCF3M and MCR3U are Grade 11 courses.

Use our course planner to ensure you are taking the right math level for the Western psychology program.

Students pursuing the BSc Honours Specialization must complete 1.0 credits of first-year Biology courses, plus another 1.0 credits chosen from Chemistry, Physics, or Computer Science. These add to the psychology and math requirements.

The first-year Biology, Chemistry, and Physics courses have certain high school prerequisites. Check the Western Calendar for the specific high school courses you need before enrolling to meet the BSc requirements.

Western lists co-op and internships as available for Social Science. The Faculty of Social Science internship program places students with employers as early as the summer after second year. Registered students can work for 4 to 16 months and earn up to 1.0 credit toward their degree.

Ask the Social Science internship office about eligibility and how to apply.

Western Psychology focuses on explaining normal and abnormal behaviour. Students learn about behaviour at all levels, from brain functioning and genes to social groups and culture. The Department has four research clusters: Clinical and Community Psychology, Cognitive, Developmental and Brain Sciences, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, and Social, Personality and Developmental Psychology.

First-year courses introduce you to psychology as a science. Upper-year courses let you explore specializations in areas like developmental psychology, social psychology, cognitive psychology and clinical psychology. Western says a graduate degree is needed for a career as a psychologist.

Western's estimated year one tuition and fees, based on 2025-26 tuition, are $8,000 to $14,200 for Ontario students and $9,300 to $16,900 for other Canadian students. You won't see your final bill until you register in courses at Western.

Western had not posted 2026-27 estimates on this page when we checked, so expect the 2026-27 and 2027-28 figures to differ. Factor in residence, housing, books, and living expenses on top of tuition when budgeting for your education at Western. Also investigate available scholarships and financial aid through the university.

After your first year at Western, you will have enough grades to apply for Honours or declare a Major. Honours is competitive and requires 81%. The Major needs just 60%. The department notes that many graduate programs look for honours study.

The department says admission to Honours in later years is based on your average in your last 10.0 courses, plus the required courses and grades for that program.

Your child applies to Social Science with ENG4U and an average in the low to mid 80s. After first year, Honours psychology currently needs 81% and the Major needs 60% in first-year psychology.

Your child needs one of the listed high school math courses and maintain strong grades in first-year Psychology and math. Read our Western University guide and compare with Guelph Psychology and Carleton Psychology to help your child make a balanced school list with reach, target and safety options.