International student experience at UM

The University of Manitoba is a world ranked institution where you'll receive a first-class education while paying some of the lowest tuition rates in Canada. As an international student, you may be eligible to work up to 20 hours per week and, if you choose, you can apply to stay and work in Manitoba after graduation through the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program. Here, it’s about options, community and defining your future. This is your time to be adventurous, challenge yourself and make a difference.

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Two students stand together talking inside the Active Living Centre.

International student experience at UM

The heart of Canada

Known for its pristine nature, beautiful landscape, vibrant culture and friendly people, Manitoba is an exciting place to live, learn and explore. While living in Manitoba, you will have the opportunity to experience all four seasons and enjoy the great outdoors.

International culture and community

With international students from over 120 different countries, UM is part of Winnipeg’s unique and diverse cultural community.

Winnipeg has been called the “cultural cradle of Canada” and is home to the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Rainbow Stage’s outdoor theatre and the Winnipeg Art Gallery.

Celebrate over 130 days of festivals including the Festival du Voyageur, Winnipeg Comedy Festival, Winnipeg Folk Festival, Winnipeg Fringe Festival and Folklorama— the world’s longest-running multicultural festival.

Year-round experiences

Living in Winnipeg provides opportunities to experience Canada’s great outdoors with unique activities in all four seasons. Manitobans embrace winter – there are many parks in which you can ski and snowshoe. The Forks national historic site features outdoor skating trails and ice sports, and there is even a pop-up restaurant on a frozen river.

Winnipeg’s Assiniboine Park Zoo features the award winning Journey to Churchill exhibit, which houses the world’s largest collection of northern species, including polar bears, Arctic foxes, wolves and muskoxen.

Pride and passion

Events like UM Bisons games are a fun and exciting way to get involved and feel the energy on campus.

Winnipeg is also home to a National Hockey League (NHL) team, the Winnipeg Jets; a professional baseball team, the Winnipeg Goldeyes; a professional soccer team, Valour FC; and a professional Canadian football team, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, whose stadium is located at UM.

A tradition of excellence

The University of Manitoba is the oldest university in Western Canada and one of the country’s top research institutions. We have more than 29,000 undergraduate and graduate students, and more than 145,000 alumni living in 140 countries.

Historic buildings have defined our campuses for more than a century, while modern facilities enrich learning experiences and provide opportunities for research and discovery.

A map of Canada With Winnipeg Manitoba highlighted in the centre, and an image of Winnipeg fades in the background.
A scenic view of The Forks skate park and Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg.
A group of International University of Manitoba students try outdoor ice skating on campus.
Excited students in a crowd cheering on the University of Manitoba Bisons football team.
A group of University of Manitoba students walking across the street in front of the Administration building.

Tuition and financial support

  • $19,100 – $26,800

    Total estimated cost of first year for international students, in Canadian dollars

  • $15,800 – $23,500

    International student tuition (CAD)

  • $3,300

    Annual cost of books, supplies and student fees (CAD)

The University of Manitoba offers an affordable, world-class education.

Minnesota reciprocity

The state of Minnesota and the Province of Manitoba have a reciprocity agreement that allows Minnesota residents to pay Canadian tuition and application fees. This means that if you're a resident of the state of Minnesota, you could pay approximately $4,800 in tuition for your first year at UM, instead of the full international student rates.

Total expenses

Factors like the program you are enrolled in, the number of courses you take each term, your lifestyle and your living accommodations will all impact how much your total expenses will be for each term.

  • $21 million

    Available in scholarships and bursaries annually

  • $2.5 million

    Available in entrance scholarships. Most don't even require an application!

  • $6 million

    Value of bursaries distributed each year to students who have demonstrated financial need.

Supporting your success

By accessing the academic and financial services and supports available at UM, you’ll lay the groundwork to achieve success throughout your academic career.

International student advisors at the International Centre provide academic and personal support services before and after you arrive in Canada.

Campus living

Your time in residence will be one of the most memorable and rewarding parts of your UM experience. Our buildings are equipped with furnished rooms, free high-speed internet, study spaces, lounges and laundry facilities.

Or, practice your English and learn more about Canadian culture by living with a Canadian host family through our homestay program.

English Language Centre

The English Language Centre (ELC) provides quality programming to students whose first language is not English. If you need to meet university English language admission requirements, or hope to improve your academic English while you're studying at UM, the ELC can help.

International College of Manitoba

If you do not meet the academic requirements, are missing the English language proficiency requirement, or need extra academic support, the International College of Manitoba may be an option for you.

Your future in Manitoba

Manitoba is proactive in establishing long-term residents and new Canadians through the provincial nominee program. Get the information you need for academic planning and develop the knowledge, skills and attributes that employers are seeking in Canada. 

Throughout your time at UM, you will enhance your transferable skills sought by employers such as leadership, communication and time management that can be applied in your future career no matter what field you choose.

Three international students stand together in a library.
An international student stands in a backyard holding a football with his homestay family.
Three students sitting together and talking at a small round table.
A group of six St. Johns College student residents stand together at a table wearing coordinating red St. Johns College t-shirts.
A Career Services staff member assists a student at the front desk.

Getting involved

At UM, there are plenty of opportunities for you to get involved, stay active, meet new people and build meaningful relationships.

  • Two students stand in a hallway talking.

    Mentorship

    Moving to a new country to study can bring many uncertainties. That's why the Welcome Mentors program pairs new international students with experienced UM students, allowing both to develop skills and meaningful relationships. Connect with current students and familiarize yourself with campus with the support of a mentor.

     

  • Three international students stand together outdoors talking.

    Leadership

    The Intercultural Leaders program enhances students’ public speaking, leadership, cultural awareness and communication skills during eight interactive group sessions and workshops. Join the Student Leadership Development Program and connect with like-minded students who feel empowered to create positive change.

     

  • Participants of Orange Shirt Day march together at the University of Manitoba Fort Garry campus.

    Reconciliation

    The University of Manitoba campuses include a vibrant Indigenous community of thousands of students, staff, faculty and alumni. Reconciliation is everyone's ongoing responsibility. Explore the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, which houses the largest collection of Indigenous oral history and documents on the residential school system and its legacy in the country.

     

  • An exterior view of University Centre.

    Student clubs

    Get involved in activities ranging from dance and photography to environmental and social justice—the University of Manitoba Students’ Union (UMSU) offers over 150 student clubs and services.

     

  • Several people inside the Active Living Centre using cardio equipment.

    Recreation services

    UM's Recreation Services has more fitness and recreation options for members than any other facility in the province. Intramural sports such as dodgeball, floor hockey and inner-tube water polo provide great opportunities to meet people, test your abilities, relieve stress and have fun.

     

  • Excited students in the crowd cheering on the Bisons.

    Bisons

    Join the herd and cheer on the Bisons with your friends. Sports to watch include basketball, cross country, football, golf, hockey, soccer, swimming, track and field, and volleyball. Contact the coach of your sport of choice for information about trying out for a Bison Sports team.

     

The U of M community is friendly and supportive; the university campus is very safe and peaceful; that is why I have been living on university residence for the last four years. Also, the International Centre at the U of M has been very supportive to international students; they show us how to survive culture shock; they help us integrate to the university life, as well as living in Canada, especially through orientations and programs such as the intercultural leaders.
Kom BolFaculty of Arts

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Undergraduate Admissions

Room 424 UMSU University Centre
66 Chancellor's Circle
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2
Canada

admissions@umanitoba.ca
204-474-8808
toll free: 1-800-224-7713 ext. 8808
Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.