University of Manitoba Logo University of Manitoba

Address: 66 Chancellors Cir, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
Phone: +1 204-474-8808
Email: admissions@umanitoba.ca
Website: www.umanitoba.ca


The University of Manitoba (U of M) requires international students whose first language is not English to demonstrate English language proficiency. This requirement applies to both undergraduate and graduate programs. Below are the English language requirements for admission:

Undergraduate Language Requirements

To meet U of M's English language proficiency requirements, applicants must achieve one of the following:

  1. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

    • Internet-Based Test (iBT): Minimum overall score of 86 with no less than:
      • 20 in Reading
      • 20 in Listening
      • 20 in Speaking
      • 20 in Writing

  2. IELTS (International English Language Testing System)

    • Academic Version: Minimum overall band score of 6.5 with no band score less than 6.0.

  3. CanTEST (Canadian Test of English for Scholars and Trainees)

    • Minimum overall score of 4.5 with no less than 4.0 in each section (Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking).

  4. CAEL (Canadian Academic English Language Assessment)

    • Minimum score of 60 overall with no subtest score below 60.

  5. PTE (Pearson Test of English Academic)

    • Minimum score of 58 overall.

  6. Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)

    • Minimum overall score of 176 with no skill score below 169.

Graduate Language Requirements

Graduate programs at U of M may have specific English language requirements. In general, the following scores are accepted:

  1. TOEFL

    • Internet-Based Test (iBT): Minimum score of 86 overall, with section scores of at least:
      • 20 in Reading
      • 20 in Listening
      • 20 in Speaking
      • 20 in Writing
    • Some graduate programs may require a higher overall score.

  2. IELTS

    • Academic Version: Minimum overall band score of 6.5, with no band score less than 6.0.
    • Certain programs may require a higher score.

  3. CanTEST

    • Minimum score of 4.5 overall, with no subtest score below 4.0.

  4. PTE

    • Minimum score of 61 overall.

  5. Duolingo English Test (DET)

    • Some programs may accept Duolingo scores as a temporary measure. A minimum score of 115 is typically required.

Exemptions from English Proficiency Tests

You may be exempt from providing an English language test score if:

  • You have completed at least three years of full-time instruction in an English language secondary or post-secondary institution in a country where English is the primary language of instruction.
  • You have completed four years of full-time study in a recognized post-secondary institution where English is the primary language of instruction.

English Language Centre

If students do not meet the English proficiency requirements, U of M offers an Intensive Academic English Program (IAEP) through its English Language Centre (ELC). Completion of the highest level of this program can meet the English language requirements for undergraduate admission.

Conditional Admission

The University of Manitoba offers conditional admission to students who meet academic requirements but need to improve their English skills. In these cases, students may need to complete the IAEP before beginning their degree program.

The University of Manitoba (U of M) offers a wide range of programs and is particularly known for its excellence in several fields. Below are some of the university's course specialities that distinguish it on both national and international levels:

1. Agriculture and Food Sciences

  • Speciality Areas: Sustainable Agriculture, Agribusiness, Animal Science, Food Science, Crop Management
  • Highlights: The Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences is one of the most respected in Canada. It focuses on sustainable food production, environmental stewardship, and food security. The university also leads research on crops suitable for the Canadian prairies and innovations in agriculture.

2. Health Sciences and Medicine

  • Speciality Areas: Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing, Public Health, Immunology
  • Highlights: U of M is known for its strong Rady Faculty of Health Sciences and medical research, including global leadership in HIV/AIDS research and infectious diseases. Its Max Rady College of Medicine is one of Canada’s top medical schools, and it has strong ties to the National Microbiology Laboratory.

3. Engineering

  • Speciality Areas: Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Biomedical Engineering
  • Highlights: U of M’s Faculty of Engineering is well-regarded for its focus on sustainable energy systems, transportation engineering, and environmental sustainability. The Biosystems Engineering program is also unique, focusing on integrating biological sciences into engineering solutions for food production and environmental management.

4. Indigenous Studies

  • Speciality Areas: Indigenous Governance, Indigenous Languages, Indigenous Education, Reconciliation Studies
  • Highlights: U of M is a leader in Indigenous studies and is home to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, a hub for research on Indigenous rights, history, and cultural preservation. The university offers programs designed to integrate Indigenous knowledge and address issues such as reconciliation and community development.

5. Environmental Science and Climate Change

  • Speciality Areas: Arctic Research, Climate Change Science, Sustainable Resource Management
  • Highlights: U of M is a national leader in Arctic research and climate change studies. Its Centre for Earth Observation Science (CEOS) focuses on polar climate research and environmental monitoring, offering students access to cutting-edge research on the Arctic and environmental sustainability.

6. Business and Management

  • Speciality Areas: Finance, Marketing, Supply Chain Management, Indigenous Business Studies
  • Highlights: The Asper School of Business is one of the top business schools in Canada, with strong programs in finance, entrepreneurship, and supply chain management. The school has a particular focus on Indigenous business leadership, with dedicated programs and initiatives in this area.

7. Law

  • Speciality Areas: Human Rights Law, Indigenous Law, Environmental Law
  • Highlights: The Faculty of Law at U of M is well-known for its focus on human rights and Indigenous law, making it one of the top law schools for students interested in these areas. It is home to the Manitoba Human Rights Research and Education Centre.

8. Social Work

  • Speciality Areas: Child Welfare, Indigenous Social Work, Community Development
  • Highlights: U of M’s Faculty of Social Work is one of the largest and most comprehensive in Canada. It is recognized for its strong focus on Indigenous social work and community development, offering programs that emphasize advocacy, social justice, and policy reform.

9. Arts and Humanities

  • Speciality Areas: History, English, Psychology, Sociology, Political Science, Linguistics
  • Highlights: The Faculty of Arts at U of M offers robust programs in social sciences and humanities. The university’s Department of History is known for its focus on Canadian and Indigenous history, while its Department of Psychology offers specializations in clinical, cognitive, and social psychology.

10. Architecture

  • Speciality Areas: Environmental Design, Landscape Architecture, City Planning
  • Highlights: The Faculty of Architecture at U of M is highly respected for its interdisciplinary approach to environmental design, urbanism, and landscape architecture. The Environmental Design program focuses on sustainable architecture and planning, with a strong emphasis on social and environmental responsibility.

11. Fine Arts and Music

  • Speciality Areas: Visual Arts, Music Performance, Theatre, Film Studies
  • Highlights: U of M’s School of Art is one of the oldest and most esteemed fine arts schools in Canada, offering programs in studio art and art history. The Desautels Faculty of Music is also well-regarded, especially for its focus on performance, composition, and music education.

12. Computer Science and Data Science

  • Speciality Areas: Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics
  • Highlights: The Faculty of Science at U of M offers strong programs in computer science, particularly in areas like artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. The university also emphasizes data science and big data applications, making it a key institution for students interested in tech innovation.

13. Human Rights

  • Speciality Areas: International Human Rights, Social Justice, Gender Studies
  • Highlights: U of M is home to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights and has strong programs that explore global human rights issues, social justice, and political activism.

14. Kinesiology and Recreation Management

  • Speciality Areas: Exercise Science, Sports Management, Physical Education
  • Highlights: The Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management is a leader in the field of exercise science and sports management. Its programs are research-driven, with a focus on health promotion, sports performance, and recreation development.

The University of Manitoba is western Canada's first university. Founded 140 years ago, and located in the heart of the country, we are the region’s largest and only research intensive university offering over 100 degrees, diplomas, and certificates – more than 60 at the undergraduate level including professional disciplines such as medicine, law, and engineering.

Our energetic university community is comprised of close to 30,000 students, 8,700 faculty and staff, and 190,000 alumni. Nearly 13 per cent of our current students are international, representing close to 104 countries.

Our award-winning faculty and students conduct research in fields as diverse as infectious diseases, Canadian history, materials science, civil infrastructure, population and community health, sustainable agriculture and northern research, to name just a few.  More than ever before, our researchers are collaborating beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries, sharing their expertise, experience and passion for discovery.

The University of Manitoba is a coeducational, nondenominational, government-supported institution. It is a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities and of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada.

The University of Manitoba (U of M), located in Winnipeg, is famous for several reasons that highlight its contributions to academia, research, and the community. Here are the key factors that make the University of Manitoba well-known:

1. Research Excellence

  • Research-Intensive Institution: U of M is one of Canada’s leading research universities. It is a member of the U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities, which represents the top research-intensive universities in the country.
  • Key Research Areas: The university is particularly recognized for its research in agriculture, health sciences, Indigenous studies, Arctic and climate research, and engineering. It plays a leading role in research related to Canadian prairies, food security, and sustainability.
  • National Microbiology Laboratory: U of M has close ties with the National Microbiology Laboratory (NML), where groundbreaking research on infectious diseases like Ebola, Zika, and COVID-19 takes place.

2. Leadership in Indigenous Education and Research

  • U of M is a national leader in Indigenous education and research. It is home to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, which was created as part of Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission to preserve the history and legacy of residential schools. The university works closely with Indigenous communities to address historical injustices and promote Indigenous culture and knowledge.
  • It offers programs that integrate Indigenous knowledge, and is recognized for fostering Indigenous scholarship in a wide range of fields.

3. Strong Agriculture and Food Sciences Programs

  • The Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences at U of M is one of the best in Canada. It is known for its research and innovation in sustainable agriculture, food security, and agribusiness, which are particularly important in the Canadian Prairies.
  • The university plays a key role in agricultural research for the Canadian prairies, focusing on issues like crop development, soil health, and climate change adaptation.

4. Health Sciences and Medical Research

  • Rady Faculty of Health Sciences: U of M’s Rady Faculty of Health Sciences is a major center for medical research and education. The university has been a pioneer in areas like infectious diseases, public health, and immunology.
  • HIV/AIDS Research: U of M is renowned globally for its contributions to HIV/AIDS research, particularly through collaborations in Africa and Asia.

5. Inclusive and Diverse Student Body

  • U of M is known for its commitment to diversity and inclusion. The university attracts students from over 100 countries, creating a rich multicultural environment. It is also one of the largest universities in western Canada, with a strong presence in the region.

6. Pioneering Engineering Programs

  • U of M’s Faculty of Engineering is highly regarded, particularly in the fields of civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering. The university is involved in innovative research in areas like environmental engineering, biomedical engineering, and sustainable energy systems.

7. Notable Alumni

  • U of M has produced numerous notable alumni who have made significant contributions in various fields, including government, business, academia, and the arts. Famous alumni include Nobel Laureate John C. Polanyi, former Canadian Prime Minister Arthur Meighen, and David Bergen, an award-winning author.

8. Sports and Athletics

  • The University of Manitoba Bisons athletic teams are well-known in Canadian university sports, particularly in football, hockey, and volleyball. The university has produced several professional athletes who have excelled in national and international sports leagues.

9. Cultural and Historical Significance

  • As Manitoba's first university, established in 1877, U of M holds a prominent place in the history of higher education in western Canada. Its rich cultural and historical legacy has shaped its strong academic and community presence.