Social Work
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
Why choose Social Work at UVic?
If you want to turn your values into real-world impact, Social Work at UVic offers a clear, credible path to meaningful work. You'll learn how to support individuals, families and communities using decolonial, anti-racist and social-justice-informed approaches — grounded in practice, accountability and respect.
- Learn how systems affect people, and how to create change within them
- Prepare for professional practice rooted in human rights and social justice
- Study in a program accredited by the Canadian Association for Social Work Education
Specializations
Sample courses
- Understanding Oppression
- Social Work, Social Justice and the Law
- Working With Trauma
- Addictions in Society: Theory, Practice and Policy
- Child Welfare Practice
Careers
- Abuse/addictions/crisis counsellor
- Adoptions worker
- Family support worker
- Health care social worker
- Mental health worker
- Policy analyst or advisor
A values-driven school
The School of Social Work is committed to decolonizing, anti-racist and anti-oppressive practice across teaching, research and leadership. These commitments shape how you learn, who you learn with and how you prepare for practice. You’ll be part of a learning environment that emphasizes:
- Responsibility, accountability and ethical practice
- Collaboration with communities and community partners
- Curiosity, critical thinking and applied problem-solving
Program delivery
Social Work is a very flexible program, allowing part-time or full-time study and offering on-campus and distance-education (online) classes.
On-campus and distance education
Choose on-campus classes in your third year to build relationships with peers, faculty and community partners. You'll complete your fourth year online, making it easier to balance school with work or family responsibilities.
Distance education
You can also complete the program entirely online. This option allows you to participate from anywhere in Canada and is well suited to students who are working full-time or living outside Victoria.
Field education
Field-education placements a core part of your degree. You’ll gain supervised, real-world experience in social work settings such as community organizations, government agencies and non-profit services. Placements are typically completed in your home community, helping you build relevant experience and professional networks where you live and plan to work.
Admission requirements
- Apply directly to this program as a transfer student from another post-secondary institution.
- If you're a high school student, you can can apply to Social Sciences and transfer into Social Work after two or more years of study at UVic.
Select your education system
Choose your current or most recent high school, college or university to see your admission requirements.
British Columbia & Yukon
Apply to the Faculty of Social Sciences and transfer into this program after two or more years of study at UVic.
Apply to the Faculty of Social Sciences and transfer into this program after two or more years of study at UVic.
Apply to the Faculty of Social Sciences and transfer into this program after two or more years of study at UVic.
Apply to the Faculty of Social Sciences and transfer into this program after two or more years of study at UVic.
Apply to the Faculty of Social Sciences and transfer into this program after two or more years of study at UVic.
Apply to the Faculty of Social Sciences and transfer into this program after two or more years of study at UVic.
Apply to the Faculty of Social Sciences and transfer into this program after two or more years of study at UVic.
Apply to the Faculty of Social Sciences and transfer into this program after two or more years of study at UVic.
Apply to the Faculty of Social Sciences and transfer into this program after two or more years of study at UVic.
Apply to the Faculty of Social Sciences and transfer into this program after two or more years of study at UVic.
Apply to the Faculty of Social Sciences and transfer into this program after two or more years of study at UVic.
Apply to the Faculty of Social Sciences and transfer into this program after two or more years of study at UVic.
Apply to the Faculty of Social Sciences and transfer into this program after two or more years of study at UVic.
Apply to the Faculty of Social Sciences and transfer into this program after two or more years of study at UVic.
Apply to the Faculty of Social Sciences and transfer into this program after two or more years of study at UVic.
Apply to the Faculty of Social Sciences and transfer into this program after two or more years of study at UVic.
Apply to the Faculty of Social Sciences and transfer into this program after two or more years of study at UVic.
Apply to the Faculty of Social Sciences and transfer into this program after two or more years of study at UVic.
Apply to the Faculty of Social Sciences and transfer into this program after two or more years of study at UVic.
Apply to the Faculty of Social Sciences and transfer into this program after two or more years of study at UVic.
The following admission requirements are the minimums as stated in the UVic academic calendar. The actual admission average required for entry may be higher in the future due to increased competition and limited capacity.
Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
Minimum required average
| Amount of study completed | Minimum average |
|---|---|
| 20 or more university-transfer courses (equivalent to 30 UVic units or 60 credits) | 3.50 on the UVic 9‑point scale, on the most recent 12 UVic units/24 credits |
Admission averages include all repeated and failed courses.
Required courses
The following post-secondary courses (or equivalents) are required:
- SOCW 200A
- SOCW 200B
Refer to the academic calendar for course descriptions. When your application is evaluated, your transcript will be reviewed to determine if your completed courses meet the above admission requirements.
Statement of intent & experience summary (required)
To be considered for the Social Work program, you must provide the following information by January 31.
- The statement of intent provides an opportunity for you to outline the degree of compatibility between the program and your interests/background.
- The experience summary outlines your relevant employment, volunteer, and educational experiences.
You must use the submission forms provided by the School of Social Work, which are updated annually in December. See the Social Work website for more information.
Apply to the Faculty of Social Sciences and transfer into this program after two or more years of study at UVic.
The following admission requirements are the minimums as stated in the UVic academic calendar. The actual admission average required for entry may be higher in the future due to increased competition and limited capacity.
Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
Minimum required average
| Amount of study completed | Minimum average |
|---|---|
| 20 or more university-transfer courses (equivalent to 30 UVic units or 60 credits) | 3.50 on the UVic 9‑point scale, on the most recent 12 UVic units/24 credits |
Admission averages include all repeated and failed courses.
Required courses
The following post-secondary courses (or equivalents) are required:
- SOCW 200A
- SOCW 200B
Refer to the academic calendar for course descriptions. When your application is evaluated, your transcript will be reviewed to determine if your completed courses meet the above admission requirements.
Statement of intent & experience summary (required)
To be considered for the Social Work program, you must provide the following information by January 31.
- The statement of intent provides an opportunity for you to outline the degree of compatibility between the program and your interests/background.
- The experience summary outlines your relevant employment, volunteer, and educational experiences.
You must use the submission forms provided by the School of Social Work, which are updated annually in December. See the Social Work website for more information.
The following admission requirements are the minimums as stated in the UVic academic calendar. The actual admission average required for entry may be higher in the future due to increased competition and limited capacity.
Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
Minimum required average
| Amount of study completed | Minimum average |
|---|---|
| 20 or more university-transfer courses (equivalent to 30 UVic units or 60 credits) | 3.50 on the UVic 9‑point scale, on the most recent 12 UVic units/24 credits |
Admission averages include all repeated and failed courses.
Required courses
The following post-secondary courses (or equivalents) are required:
- SOCW 200A
- SOCW 200B
Refer to the academic calendar for course descriptions. When your application is evaluated, your transcript will be reviewed to determine if your completed courses meet the above admission requirements.
Statement of intent & experience summary (required)
To be considered for the Social Work program, you must provide the following information by January 31.
- The statement of intent provides an opportunity for you to outline the degree of compatibility between the program and your interests/background.
- The experience summary outlines your relevant employment, volunteer, and educational experiences.
You must use the submission forms provided by the School of Social Work, which are updated annually in December. See the Social Work website for more information.
Apply to the Faculty of Social Sciences and transfer into this program after two or more years of study at UVic.
The following admission requirements are the minimums as stated in the UVic academic calendar. The actual admission average required for entry may be higher in the future due to increased competition and limited capacity.
Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
Minimum required average
| Amount of study completed | Minimum average |
|---|---|
| One full year of study in a bachelor degree program at a recognized university | "B" (5.00 on the UVic 9‑point scale) on the most recent 12 UVic units (24 credits) |
Admission averages include all repeated and failed courses.
Minimum required average
| Amount of study completed | Minimum average |
|---|---|
| Two full years of study in a bachelor degree program at a recognized university | "B" (5.00 on the UVic 9‑point scale) on the most recent 12 UVic units (24 credits) |
Admission averages include all repeated and failed courses.
Required courses
The following post-secondary courses (or equivalents) are required:
- SOCW 200A
- SOCW 200B
Refer to the academic calendar for course descriptions. When your application is evaluated, your transcript will be reviewed to determine if your completed courses meet the above admission requirements.
Statement of intent & experience summary (required)
To be considered for the Social Work program, you must provide the following information by January 31.
- The statement of intent provides an opportunity for you to outline the degree of compatibility between the program and your interests/background.
- The experience summary outlines your relevant employment, volunteer, and educational experiences.
You must use the submission forms provided by the School of Social Work, which are updated annually in December. See the Social Work website for more information.
The following admission requirements are the minimums as stated in the UVic academic calendar. The actual admission average required for entry may be higher in the future due to increased competition and limited capacity.
Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
Minimum required average
| Amount of study completed | Minimum average |
|---|---|
| One full year of study in a bachelor degree program at a recognized university | "B" (5.00 on the UVic 9‑point scale) on the most recent 12 UVic units (24 credits) |
Admission averages include all repeated and failed courses.
Minimum required average
| Amount of study completed | Minimum average |
|---|---|
| Two full years of study in a bachelor degree program at a recognized university | "B" (5.00 on the UVic 9‑point scale) on the most recent 12 UVic units (24 credits) |
Admission averages include all repeated and failed courses.
Required courses
The following post-secondary courses (or equivalents) are required:
- SOCW 200A
- SOCW 200B
Refer to the academic calendar for course descriptions. When your application is evaluated, your transcript will be reviewed to determine if your completed courses meet the above admission requirements.
Statement of intent & experience summary (required)
To be considered for the Social Work program, you must provide the following information by January 31.
- The statement of intent provides an opportunity for you to outline the degree of compatibility between the program and your interests/background.
- The experience summary outlines your relevant employment, volunteer, and educational experiences.
You must use the submission forms provided by the School of Social Work, which are updated annually in December. See the Social Work website for more information.
English language proficiency
If English is not your primary language at home and school, you must demonstrate language proficiency to attend UVic.
Tuition & Fees
Tuition rates effective May 1, 2026 (please note some ancillary fees are subject to change for Fall 2026).
This is an estimate only and should be used to give students, parents, and/or sponsors an approximation of the tuition and ancillary fees. This estimate does not include housing, food, cost of books and supplies or other expenses that students can expect in a term.
Ready to apply?
We'll walk you through all of the steps in the process, from submitting your online application to accepting your offer of admission.