Interior of Canadian Parliament.
  • Bison at the centre of sustainable business

    Learn more about UM's Bisons at the Centre campaign

  • Image of three men in suits standing in a clothing factory.

    Left to right: Raj Bahl, Ash Modha and Prashant Modha

  • Ash Modha [BA/98] earned his bachelor of arts at UM with a major in economics and a minor in political studies. He is one of the founding partners of Mondetta Clothing.

  • “Keep your goals clear, but understand that the path to achieving them may be long, winding, and sometimes unconventional—embrace that journey with flexibility and perseverance.”

    -Ash Modha

  • icon house

    Faculty

    • Faculty of Arts

  • icon award

    Degree

    • Bachelor of Arts in Political Studies

  • icon graduate

    Expected duration

    • 3-5 years

  • icon pathway

    Program options

    • Bachelor of Arts (General)
    • Bachelor of Arts (Advanced)
    • Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
    • Minor in Political Studies
    • Co-op

  • Bison at the centre of advancing sport

    Learn more about UM's Bisons at the Centre campaign

  • A women in a leather jacket holding a soccer ball standing in a stadium.
  • Christina Litz [BA/94, LLB/97] earned her bachelor of arts with a major in political studies and a minor in women’s studies, as well as her LLB, at UM. She is the president of the Northern Super League.

  • “Embrace (curiosity) through the classes you choose and challenge yourself to explore alternative viewpoints and difficult subjects.”

    -Christina Litz

Program details

The Department of Political Studies offers three- and four-year programs of study leading to a Bachelor of Arts in Political Studies.

BA degrees at a glance

BA General: 90 credit hours with a minimum GPA of 2.00 in all courses in the chosen major. This program is particularly suited to students who wish to seek employment or enter a professional academic program following graduation from Arts.

BA Advanced: 120 credit hours of study with a minimum GPA of 2.00 in all faculty-required courses. Students select a major and minor program of study or a double major in lieu of a minor.

BA Honours: 120 credit hours of study with a minimum GPA of 3.00 in all courses. Students do not complete a major and a minor, but rather an honours subject, or two subjects for the double honours program. This is the preferred program for students looking to pursue graduate studies.

Bachelor of Arts (General)

Expected duration: 3 years

The general program offers general exposure to the humanities and social sciences and an opportunity to concentrate studies in at least two subject areas. This program is particularly suited to students who wish to seek employment or enter a professional academic program following graduation from Arts.

A student must complete 90 credit hours with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 in all courses that comprise the major.

You can complete the BA General degree on a part-time basis.

Bachelor of Arts (Advanced)

Expected duration: 4 years

The advanced program offers a general education along with a reasonable degree of specialization in one area of study through the major.

Graduates of the advanced major program who demonstrate high academic performance may be eligible for entrance to graduate studies. The advanced degree is also well suited to students seeking to build an academic term or year of studies abroad into their undergraduate degree.

To earn a BA Advanced degree, a student must successfully complete 120 credit hours with a minimum grade point average of 2.00 in all faculty-required courses. The program requires at least 48 credit hours in a major subject area, as well as a minor field of study that includes a minimum of 18 credit hours in a subject area. In lieu of a minor, students may complete a double advanced major program.

Students should apply to enter the advanced program only after successfully completing a minimum of 24 credit hours of coursework.

You can complete this degree on a part-time basis.

Bachelor of Arts (Honours)

Expected duration: 4 years

The honours program offers a rigorous examination of a particular subject area for those who desire a more specialized undergraduate preparation. This is the preferred program for students who wish to continue their education at the graduate level.

Students normally enter the program after first year, although you may be eligible to enter the program later in your undergraduate studies.

To earn a BA Honours degree, a student must successfully complete 120 credit hours with a minimum grade point average of 3.00 in all courses.

Students in the honours program do not complete a major and a minor, but rather an honours subject, or two subjects in the case of a double honours program. The program differs from the advanced program by requiring more courses in the honours field and by providing a greater intensity and depth of study.

Students should apply to enter the honours program only after successfully completing a minimum of 24 credit hours of coursework.

You can complete the honours program on a part-time basis.

Earning a minor in Arts

A minor is comprised of 18 credit hours which are in a subject field that is different from a declared major. To earn a minor in a subject field as part of a Bachelor of Arts degree, a student must successfully complete 18 credit hours in a subject field approved by the Faculty of Arts as a minor.
 
Minors offered by the Faculty of Arts are listed under each area of study’s section of the Academic Calendar. Arts students may complete minor programs offered by other Faculties/Schools providing the minor program consists of a minimum of 18 credit hours and all other degree requirements are satisfied.

Degree requirements for all BA degrees

Students in the BA General, BA Advanced and BA Honours degree must complete the following requirements as part of their degree:

  • 6 credit hours of humanities
  • 6 credit hours of social sciences
  • 6 credit hours of sciences
  • 3 credit hours of written English (W)
  • 3 credit hours of mathematics (M)
  • 3 credit hours of Indigenous course content (students entering as of fall 2021)
  • 6 credit hours in each of 5 different subject fields

The 3 credit hours of written English and 3 credit hours of mathematics are to satisfy the written English and mathematics requirement.

For full details on these requirements, refer to the Academic Calendar.

Sample course offerings

  • POLS 2504: Introduction to International Relations (3 credit hours)
  • POLS 2902: How Government Works (3 credit hours)
  • POLS 3250: International Political Economy (3 credit hours)
  • POLS 3470: Canadian Public Management (3 credit hours)
  • POLS 3530: War, Politics and Culture (3 credit hours)
  • POLS 3342: Arab-Israeli Conflict (3 credit hours)
  • POLS 3760: Media and Politics (3 credit hours)
  • POLS 3872: Indigenous Governance (3 credit hours)
  • POLS 4470: Managing Modern Government (3 credit hours)

For full course descriptions, please visit the Academic Calendar.

A co-operative education student stands side by side with her advisor.

The Faculty of Arts Co-operative Education Program is an excellent way for students to enhance their classroom learning with on-the-job experience. Students in anthropology, central and East European studies, economics, German, history, labour studies, linguistics, political studies and psychology can alternate regular academic terms with paid, full-time employment.
Learn more about the Arts Co-op Program

Admission requirements

The following are minimum requirements for entry into the Bachelor of Arts in Political Studies program. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

Direct entry applicants are those who have not attended a post-secondary institution or have completed fewer than 24 credit hours at a recognized university or college.

Advanced entry applicants are those who have completed one year (24 credit hours) or more of studies in another faculty at the University of Manitoba or another recognized post-secondary institution.

How to apply

Domestic student application fee: $100
International student application fee: $130

Applications to the University of Manitoba are completed online.

The online application includes several parts, and you may be required to submit transcripts, proof of English Language proficiency, and other documents.

You apply to the Bachelor of Arts program without selecting your major and minor areas of study (e.g., anthropology, political science, etc.). You make these choices after you are in the BA program.

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.

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

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) 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

TermType of entryApplications openApplication deadline
Fall (September)Direct entryEarly OctoberMarch 1 (International)
May 1 (Domestic)
Advanced entryEarly NovemberMarch 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

TermType of entryApplications openApplication deadline
Fall (September)Direct entryEarly OctoberMarch 1
Advanced entryEarly NovemberMarch 15
Winter (January)Advanced entryEarly JulyOctober 1*

*Admission to the Winter term is only if space is available.

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 Extended to April 15, 2024

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
TermType of entryApplications openApplication deadline
Fall (September)Advanced entryLate AugustOctober 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 Extended to July 1

Summer (May) Advanced entry

Domestic: Early September

International: Early July 

Domestic: December 1 

International: October 1 

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 Extended to April 15

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 Extended to May 1, 2024

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 Extended to May 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
TermApplications openApplication 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

Start or continue your application

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

Annual application deadlines

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

Start or continue your application

Learn more

Contact us

Admission and application inquiries

Mailing address
Undergraduate Admissions
424 UMSU University Centre
University of Manitoba
65 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

Department of Political Studies, Faculty of Arts
532 Fletcher Argue Building
15 Chancellor's Circle
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2

political.studies@umanitoba.ca
Phone: 204-474-9733
Fax: 204-474-7585

Visit the Department of Political Studies

Meet Political Studies faculty and staff