York University social work admission requirements: direct entry from high school with an average in the mid 80s

York offers direct entry. Grade 12 students apply on OUAC to the Bachelor of Social Work, code YFS, and take social work courses from first year. You do not need a first degree.

York also has a post degree route, code YFY, for people who already hold a three year (90 credit) or four year (120 credit) degree. College graduates and university transfer students use the direct entry route with a separate code for their applicant type.

Ontario students need an OSSD with ENG4U and five more 4U or M courses. There is no math or science requirement.

That leaves room for courses you are strong in. Pick ones that lift your average. Map your timetable with our course planner.

York says applicants with averages in the mid 80s or higher may be considered for admission. If you get an offer, you must finish with a final average of at least 75% to keep it.

York does not publish an acceptance rate or a fixed cut-off for social work. Treat the mid 80s as your target. Check your number with our Top 6 average calculator.

Ontario high school students do not send a supplementary form. Your grades decide your file.

Transfer, mature and returning students must send a Supplementary Admission Information Form that includes a Social Justice Statement. York asks for it as one document, not two, uploaded to MyFile. York's program page shows the deadline as February 16, 2026 in one spot and February 16, 2027 in another. For Fall 2027 entry, confirm the date with York.

College diploma holders and university transfer students need an overall average of 3.0 or better on a 4 point scale.

Mature students must be at least 21 and out of full time high school for at least two years. They also send the supplementary form. If you are taking a Social Service Worker diploma first, this route is a real option after you graduate.

York's BSW is taught in person at the Keele campus in the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies. Topics include community based research, racial and colonial discourses in social work, Indigenous social work and social justice.

The degree is accredited by the Canadian Association for Social Work Education. Graduates can register with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers as a Registered Social Worker.

Every BSW student completes a 700 hour practicum in the final year. Direct entry students go three days a week from September to April. First you must finish all core social work courses and 57 credits of non social work courses.

York's Field Education Office works with hundreds of community partners to find placements. The program page also says students are supported to access paid co-op opportunities through the university. Co-op is not a separate BSW stream, so ask how it fits with the practicum.

The final year practicum is not your only field work. York's school lists in class and unpaid course placements for credit, required volunteer work and community research projects as part of the degree.

The school also points students to volunteering from first year to fourth year. Start early. Volunteer hours help you test the field and give you something real to talk about in practicum interviews.

Post degree students also complete 700 hours. Their schedule is more flexible. They can work a minimum of two full 7 hour days and a maximum of five full 7 hour days a week.

Before the practicum, post degree students must finish all core social work courses. This suits people who already hold a degree and want a faster path to a BSW.

York's social work degree is open to your child in Grade 12, with no essay. The numbers to watch are ENG4U, a top six average in the mid 80s and a final average of at least 75% to keep the offer.

Expect three days a week in an agency during the final year. Paid work in that year may need to shrink. Encourage early volunteering, which York builds into the program anyway.

Ontario high school students apply through OUAC by January 15, 2027. Apply early. York accepts applications until programs are full.

Your offer is not final until your Grade 12 marks are in. York will check that your final average is at least 75%. Keep your grades steady in second term, since a drop below that line can cost you the spot.

Transfer and mature applicants also need the supplementary form in MyFile by the February 16 date. See our Ontario deadlines page for other schools.

York lists Fall and Winter 2026-27 tuition of about $6,200 for Canadian students and about $40,000 for international students in most programs at 30 credits. Social work is not listed separately.

Fees for ancillary services, books and housing are extra. Budget for travel to your practicum agency too, since you will go three days a week in your final year.

York gives an automatic entrance scholarship based on your final admission average. It is $3,500 at 95% and up, $2,000 at 90 to 94.9%, $1,500 at 85 to 89.9% and $1,000 at 80 to 84.9%. It can renew with a GPA of 8.0.

Because the social work range is the mid 80s, most admitted students should earn at least the $1,000 or $1,500 level.

York lists careers such as case manager and advocate, child protection worker, policy analyst and entry level addictions counsellor.

Some roles ask for a Master of Social Work, so check job postings in the field you want. Compare options on our TMU social work page and York admissions overview.