A student performs during a University of Manitoba Symphony Orchestra performance.
  • icon house

    Faculty

    • Desautels Faculty of Music

  • icon award

    Degree

    • Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Music

  • icon graduate

    Expected duration

    • 1 year

  • 20+

    Student ensembles

  • 40

    Spacious, light-filled practice rooms

  • 1:5

    Ratio of faculty members to students

  • $600,000+

    Value of scholarships, bursaries and prizes awarded annually

Program details

This flexible program allows students to select courses from the Bachelor of Music program as well as other faculties and schools at the University of Manitoba. Students are mentored by distinguished artists and enjoy extensive opportunities to participate in ensembles and display their abilities through solo performance.

Expected duration: 1 year

Students must complete 30 credit hours of study to earn a PBDP. The program requires 15 credit hours of core courses from the Bachelor of Music program, plus 15 credit hours of electives. A minimum of 18 credit hours must be taken in the faculty, however students may take all 30 credit hours within the faculty.

Core courses

MUSC 5400: Major practical study with the principal teacher (6 credit hours)
MUSC 5180: Ensemble (3 credit hours)
MUSC 5560: Recital – solo performance (6 credit hours)

Electives

Students choose their electives from 3000 and 4000 level courses (15 credit hours)

For full course descriptions, please visit the Academic Calendar.

Admission requirements

Prospective students to the Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Performance program, you must have completed:

  • A four-year Bachelor of Music degree, or
  • A conservatory diploma taken in residence.

All prospective students must successfully pass the audition to be considered for the program.

Obtaining a second PBDP

Students who hold the PBDP from the University of Manitoba (or equivalent post-baccalaureate diploma from another institution) may apply for a second PBDP if studying a different applied instrument than that of their first PBDP in their major practical study, ensemble, and recital courses and if the remaining course credits taken do not duplicate those in their first PBDP.

Meeting these requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program

How to apply

Domestic student application fee: $100
International student application fee: $120

Step 1: Apply online

Applications to the University of Manitoba are completed online. To begin your application, select the "Start or continue your application" button. The online application includes several parts:

  • Application fee (non-refundable)
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • A personal essay of 250-300 words which outlines your musical aspiration and plans to achieve them
  • Curriculum Vita
  • Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
  • Proof of English Language proficiency (if applicable)

Applicants will be emailed 1 - 2 weeks after the application deadline to arrange their audition and interview.

Step 2: Audition

Your audition may take up to 30 minutes. Whether you are auditioning in-person or by video recording, the audition will involve:

  • performing up to 15-20 minutes of prepared music fulfilling the audition requirements for your area of study;
  • an interview covering a range of areas, your background and experience in music performance;
  • assessing aural and technical skills

Accompanists: Vocal and instrumental pieces must be accompanied. Arrangements for accompanists on the day of the audition or video recording are the responsibility of the student.

Classical instrument or voice audition fee: Students auditioning in-person must pay a $25 fee. This fee reserves the audition spot. If an applicant auditions to more than one (1) instrument or voice, they must pay an additional $25 fee per audition.  Payments must be made before the audition at the Music General office.

Jazz audition fee: Jazz students auditioning in-person must pay a $50 fee. This fee covers the expense of the collaborating musicians to be provided by the Faculty. Payments must be made before the audition at the Music General office.

Collaborative Piano audition fee: Collaborative piano students auditioning in-person must pay a $50 fee. This fee covers the expense of the collaborating musicians to be provided by the Faculty. Payments must be made before the audition at the Music General office.

Collaborative piano audition requirements

The audition program should consist of the following:

Instrumental

  • First movement of any Beethoven violin or cello sonata
  • One movement of any violin or cello sonata by Brahms or Franc

Vocal (All to be played in original keys)

  • Schubert - Gretchen am Spinnrade OR Ganymed
  • Strauss – Allerseelen OR Zueignung
  • Debussy – Il pleure dans mon Coeur OR Faure – Clair de Lune

Solo

  • Piano solo of your choice, approximately 7-10 minutes in duration. This can be a short piece or  movement(s) from any larger work.

Jazz audition requirements

Audition pieces

The audition program should consist of:

  • A medium tempo blues selection:
    • Play melody and a minimum of two improvised choruses
    • Rhythm section players must comp for a soloist
  • A jazz standard of your choice:
    • Play melody and a minimum of two improvised choruses
    • Rhythm section players must comp for a soloist. Drummers must trade fours with the rhythm section.

Sight Reading

A short sight-reading passage.

Interview

There will be a brief interview covering a range of areas, including your background and experience in jazz performance.

Technical Requirement

Play a major scale, one octave ascending and descending, in any key. Drummers and singers must perform this on piano.

Additional Information

You must provide three copies of charts for the music you perform (in your key).

Piano audition requirements

Audition pieces

The audition program should consist of:

  • A minimum of two contrasting movements of a classical sonata, one of which is in sonata form
  • A romantic work 
  • A minimum of two other works chosen from the Baroque, Impressionist and/or 20th century/contemporary periods

Audition programs must be approved by the area coordinator. At the time of the audition, jurors will select repertoire from the candidate’s approved program totaling 20-30 minutes in length.

Musicianship

There may be a short test to check your basic musicianship skills (sight reading, rhythm and melody playback, interval singing, etc.).

Interview

There will be a brief interview covering a range of areas, including your background and experience in piano performance.

Strings audition requirements

The audition program should consist of the following.

Viola 

Memorization is preferred but not required. 

  • J.S. Bach: One movement from any Sonata or Partita for violin solo, or any movement from Suite for cello solo
  • First movement of any Baroque or Classical concerto
  • Piece of your own choice for viola solo or viola and piano

Cello 

Memorization is preferred but not required. 

  • One etude by Duport or Popper
  • Two contrasting movements from the Bach Cello Suites
  • One movement from standard concerto (e.g. Haydn C or D major, Dvorak, Schumann, Elgar, Shostakovich)
  • Piece of your own choice for cello solo or cello and piano

Double bass

Memorization is preferred but not required. 

  • Two contrasting pieces of applicant’s choice
  • Three orchestra excerpts by: Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Mozart or Strauss
  • One major scale, one harmonic minor scale, one minor scale of choice in two or three octaves
  • Sight-reading may be required

Guitar

Memorization is preferred but not required. 

  • One movement of a Baroque or Renaissance suite.
  • One movement of a Classical or Romantic major work (concerto, sonata, suite, etc.) for guitar
  • One piece representing a major 20th or 21st century work for guitar

Voice audition requirements

Audition pieces

The audition program should consist of:

  • two arias (one opera, one oratorio)
  • three art songs in contrasting languages

Sight reading

There may be a short test to check your basic musicianship skills (sight reading, rhythm and melody playback, interval singing, etc.).

Interview

There will be a brief interview covering a range of areas, including your background and experience in vocal performance.

Woodwinds, brass and percussion audition requirements

Details to come

Notification of decision

Decisions will be posted to the applicant's portal. Applicants must log in to their application portal to view the decision and to accept or decline their offer by the deadline date indicated in the letter. It is imperative that email accounts remain current and that emails and application portals are regularly checked.

Apply now

Includes the Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Geography, Geological Sciences and Physical Geography programs.

Includes Bachelor of Health Sciences and Bachelor of Health Studies programs.

Includes Bachelor of Science degrees in Agribusiness, Agriculture, Agroecology, Food Science and Human Nutritional Sciences.

Direct entry students are current high school students or people who have already graduated from high school but who have completed fewer than 24 credit hours of post-secondary level study.

Advanced entry students are those who have already completed 24 or more credit hours of post-secondary level study.

Annual application deadlines - Canadian citizens & permanent residents

Term Type of entry Application opens Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October August 1
Winter (January) Direct entry Early May December 1
Summer (May) Direct entry Early September April 1

Annual application deadlines - International applicants

Term Type of entry Application opens Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October May 1
Winter (January) Direct entry Early May October 1
Summer (May) Direct entry Early September February 1

Start or continue your application 

Bachelor of Fine Art application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October March 1
Advanced entry Early November March 1

Diploma in Fine Art application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October March 1
Advanced entry Early November March 1

Start or continue your application for the BFA and diploma programs

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November May 1
Winter (January) Advanced entry Early May October 1

Admission to the winter term is on a space available basis only.

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadline

Term Type of entry Application opens Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November March 1

Start or continue your application

To apply to the Inner City Social Work program, attend an information session at the William Norrie Centre. You will receive an application form at the information session. All information sessions are held in Room 126, William Norrie Centre.

Room 126 William Norrie Centre
485 Selkirk Ave.
Winnipeg, MB R2W 2M6 Canada
204-668-8160
Fax: 204-663-8857

All applicants need approval from the Faculty of Social Work – Inner City Selection Coordinator, Carla Kirkpatrick who can be reached at carla.kirkpatrick@umanitoba.ca or 204-474-7364.

Admission requirements (PDF)

Annual application deadlines

Term Application deadline
Summer (May, part-time) February 1, 2024
Fall (September) March 1, 2024 

Annual application deadline

Term Type of entry Application opens Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November March 1

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October

January 15

Advanced entry Early November January 15

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November February 15

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October March 1
Advanced entry Early November May 1
Winter (January) Advanced entry Early May October 1

Admission to the winter term is on a space available basis only.

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October March 1 (International)
May 1 (Domestic)
Advanced entry Early November March 1 (International)
May 1 (Domestic)

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Program Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Bachelor of Environmental Design (BEnvD) Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November April 1
Environmental Design Architecture Master Preparation Option (ED AMP) Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November January 15

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October March 1
Advanced entry Early November March 15

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November February 1

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November August 1
Winter (January) Advanced entry Early May December 1
Summer (May/July) Advanced entry Early November June 1

Students who wish to enrol in Summer courses that start in May should apply by April 1.

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October March 1
Advanced entry Early November March 1

Start or continue your application

The Internationally-Educated Engineers Qualifications (IEEQ) program has been temporarily suspended until 2025
For further information or questions, please contact Engineering at eng.info@umanitoba.ca.

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry *Suspended *Suspended

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Early November August 1
Winter (January) Early May November 1
Summer (May) Early November April 1

Start or continue your application

Annual direct entry application deadlines

Term Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Early October March 1
Winter (January) Early May October 1
Summer (May) Early September February 1

Annual advanced entry application deadlines

Term Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September)

Domestic: Early November

International: Early November

Domestic: July 1

International: March 1

Winter (January)

Domestic: Early May

International: Early March

Domestic: October 1

International: July 1

Summer (May)*

Domestic: Early November

International: Early July

Domestic: March 1

International: November 1

*Summer 2024 application deadline for domestic and international applicants: March 1, 2024

 

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October March 1
Advanced entry Early November March 1

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November June 1
Winter (January) Advanced entry Early May October 15

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November January 15

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Summer (May) Advanced entry – Track A Early November April 1
Advanced entry – Track B Early April August 1

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadline

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Late August October 1

Start or continue your application 

Annual application deadline

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November April 1

Start or continue your application

Winnipeg annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry

Domestic: Early November

International: Early November

Domestic: April 1

International: February 1

Winter (January)

Advanced entry

Domestic: Early May

International: Early February

Domestic: August 1

International: June 1

Summer (May) Advanced entry

Domestic: Early September

International: Early July 

Domestic: December 1 Extended to December 15

International: October 1 Extended to December 15

 

The Pas and Thompson (UM/University College of the North) annual application deadline

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November

Domestic: April 1

International: February 1

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadline

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November April 1

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadline

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November March 1

Start or continue your application

Bachelor of Respiratory Therapy annual application deadline

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November April 1

Bachelor of Respiratory Therapy: Degree Completion Program annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November May 1
Winter (January) Advanced entry Early May September 1
Summer (May) Advanced entry Early November January 15

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October March 1
Advanced entry Early November May 1
Winter (January) Advanced entry Early May October 1

Admission to the Winter term is on a space available basis only.

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October March 1
Advanced entry Early November April 1

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadline

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November April 1

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October March 1
Advanced entry Early November April 1

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October March 1
Advanced entry Early November May 1
Winter (January) Advanced entry Early May October 1

Admission to the Winter term is available on a space available basis only.

Start or continue your application

Annual direct entry application deadlines

Term Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Early October March 1
Winter (January) Early May October 1
Summer (May) Early September February 1

Annual advanced entry application deadlines

Term Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September)

Domestic: Early November

International: Early November

Domestic: June 1

International: March 1

Winter (January)

Domestic: Early May

International: Early March

Domestic: October 1

International: July 1

Summer (May)*

Domestic: Early November

International: Early July

Domestic: February 1

International: November 1

*Summer 2024 application deadline for domestic and international applicants: February 1, 2024

 

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Type of applicant Type of entry Term Applications open Application deadline
First year applicants Advanced entry Fall (September) Early September December 1
Upper year applicants Advanced entry Fall (September) Early November June 30

Start or continue your application 

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November August 1
Winter (January) Advanced entry Early May December 1
Summer (May) Advanced entry Early November June 15

Applicants are encouraged to apply early and check their course availability prior to applying.

Applicants applying to the Summer term are recommended to apply a minimum of one month prior to the start of their classes. Summer session offers a number of different start dates based on course offerings.

Start or continue your application

 Annual direct entry application deadlines 

Term Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Early October March 1
Winter (January) Early May October 1
Summer (May) Early September February 1

Annual advanced entry application deadlines 

 

Term Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September)

Domestic: Early November

International: Early November 

Domestic: June 1

International: March 1

Winter (January)

Domestic: Early May

International: Early March

Domestic: October 1

International: July 1

Summer (May)*

Domestic: Early September

International: Early July

Domestic: February 1

International: November 1

*Summer 2024 application deadline for domestic and international applicants: February 1, 2024

 

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Early November June 1
Winter (January) Early May October 1
Summer (May) Early November February 1

Start or continue your application

The BPRN program has been placed on a temporary suspension starting for the Fall 2019 intake.

Access students

Annual application deadline
Term Application deadline
Fall (September) March 1

Application form for Access students (PDF)

External students

Annual application deadline
Term Type of entry Application opens Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November March 1

Start or continue your external student application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November March 15

Start or continue your application

Audition dates

Term Audition dates
Fall 2024 March 6 - 8, 2024

Learn more

Contact us

Admission and application inquiries

Mailing address
Undergraduate Admissions
424 UMSU University Centre
University of Manitoba
66 Chancellors Circle
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada

Office location
Room 424 UMSU University Centre
65 Chancellors Circle
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)

Submit a question
Phone: 204-474-8808
Toll-free: 1-800-224-7713 ext 8808

Program inquiries

Desautels Faculty of Music
Room T319 
150 Dafoe Road West
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2

music@umanitoba.ca
204-474-9310