Social Science

Prerequisites

• ENG4U

Notes

• All Honours Specializations and Majors in Psychology require a first-year university math course; therefore, one of MHF4U, MCV4U or MDM4U is highly recommended for this program.
• Math is helpful in preparation for Sociology and Geography programs.
• MFH4U and MCV4U are required for all Economics modules.    
• Biology SBI4U, Chemistry SCH4U, and Physics SPH4U are highly recommended for the BSc in Psychology
• Psychology and Geography are offered as both a BA and a BSc. For the BSc option, refer to the First Year Calendar for required high school science courses

IB and AP Requirements

• IB Admission Information
• AP Admission Information

Language Requirements

English-Language Proficiency Requirements 

Each student granted admission to Western University must be proficient in spoken and written English. All students applying for undergraduate admission whose first language is not English will be required to provide acceptable proof of English-language proficiency. You are encouraged to write a test at the earliest possible date, and, at the latest, before March 2019. Scores for any test written before January 1, 2017, may not be accepted.

You may be considered for an English-proficiency exemption if you studied for 4 full-time years in a Ministry-approved high school in Ontario or other Canadian provinces, and successfully completed Grade 12 English, ENG4U or its equivalent. This exemption does not apply to Nursing programs.

Applicants from other countries who have a total of 4 years of formal education in an English-speaking school system where English is the primary language and language of instruction, may be considered for an exemption on an individual basis. The Admissions Committee will consider all previous and current academic work and all documentation submitted in support of an application for an exemption.

The Undergraduate Admissions Office may require you to write a test of English proficiency. At the discretion of the University, you may be asked to present further evidence of English proficiency if your English proficiency score does not match your academic English prerequisite achievement.

Additional details on acceptable proof of English proficiency can be found on our website.

Note: English-language proficiency requirements for admission to Undergraduate Nursing programs are different than the requirements for other programs at Western. For further information, please visit the Nursing website.

Offers of Admission for Ontario High School Students

Basic Requirements for Admission: Ontario Grade 12 Curriculum Requirements

If you currently attend an Ontario high school, you must successfully complete an Ontario Secondary School Diploma, including each of the following, to be considered for admission:

• Six 4U and/or 4M level courses (excluding co-op)
• 4U English (ENG4U)
• Prerequisites for your program as specified by Western
• An admission average, including all program prerequisite courses as specified by Western

Failed and Repeated Courses

• If a course was taken more than once, the highest reported successful grade in the course will be used in the calculation of the admission average.

Timing and Process for Admission Decisions

If you are a current Ontario Secondary School student, here is the basis on which offers of admission are being released:

December and January:

Offers sent out during this time are based on the following criteria:

• very high grades on six 3U and/or 3M courses; or
• six final 4U and/or 4M courses including prerequisites.

Late February to Mid-April

Offers sent out during this time are based on the following criteria:

• final first-semester 4U and/or 4M courses and final 3U and/or 3M courses; or
• six midterm and/or final 4U and/or 4M courses, including prerequisites.

Mid-May

Offers sent out based on six 4U and/or 4M midterm and/or final grades, including prerequisite courses.

Please remember, we review all applications each time we receive a new set of Grade 12 marks (final first-semester grades or midterm marks for full-year courses in March, and second semester midterms in May). Thousands of offers will go out early March to mid-May. 

Alternative Offers

Western's Main Campus does not have automatic alternative offers of admission. If you wish to be considered for more than 1 program, list each program as a separate choice on your OUAC application.

One-year deferrals of admission may be granted to high school applicants. A written request must be sent to the Admissions Office that outlines the reasons for deferral. Note: A deferral will not be granted to those students who will be studying at another postsecondary institution.

The Special Consideration Profile is available for students who may have had extenuating circumstances that led to academic difficulty and that may put them marginally below the university's minimum admissions requirement. Extenuating circumstances may include disability, personal illness, financial circumstances, required employment, family illnesses, or other personal or family matters. Deadline: March 1.

The Extraordinary Extracurricular and Contributions to Citizenship Profile is an optional profile that allows you to communicate your commitment to extracurricular activities and active citizenship through an ongoing contribution to school and community life. If you feel your average will fall marginally below the university's minimum admission requirements, and you have made significant contributions, you may submit a profile. Deadline: March 1.

For forms and details, visit our website.

Internship and/or co-op opportunities are available in a variety of programs.

Alternative Offers

Alternative offers of admission are not made automatically.