Faculty of Arts applicant admission requirements (2024-2025)

This information is available with, and constitutes part of, the application. It is assumed that all applicants have read and understood it prior to submitting the completed application.

Programs offered

Bachelor of Arts (General) Degree (B.A.) ¹

The Faculty of Arts offers programming in the social sciences and humanities as well as a wide range of disciplinary and interdisciplinary programs.

Program choices include: Anthropology, Classics (Classical Studies, Greek, Latin), Economics, English, French, Spanish & Italian, German & Slavic Studies (German, Polish, Russian, Ukrainian), History, Icelandic, Linguistics, Indigenous Studies (Indigenous
Studies, Indigenous Languages Cree & Ojibway, Aboriginal Governance), Philosophy, Political Studies, Psychology, Religion, and Sociology (including Criminology). Interdisciplinary studies include Asian Studies, Canadian Studies, Catholic Studies, Central & East European Studies, Film Studies, Global Political Economy, Judaic Studies, Labour Studies, Latin American Studies, Medieval & Early Modern Studies, Theatre, Ukrainian Canadian Heritage Studies, and Women’s and Gender Studies.

1. Note: Advanced Major and Honours Programs: Students admitted to the Faculty of Arts will, by default, enter the General Degree program. Entry into either the Advanced Major or Honours programs requires specific courses and/or a minimum GPA as outlined in the Academic Calendar or the First Year Planning Guide.

To enter the Advanced or Honours degree programs students must apply to the Faculty of Arts Student Advising Services after they have been admitted or transited to Arts. 

The University of Manitoba will require graded coursework to fulfill all admission requirements as outlined in this bulletin. Pass grades will not be considered for meeting any of these requirements unless otherwise stated. Students may be eligible for admission to the Faculty of Arts in one of five ways, depending on their previous academic history:

Direct Entry

Applicants in this category are current high school students or students who have already graduated from high school but have completed fewer than twenty-four (24) credit hours at a recognized university/college. Applicants must meet the General Entrance and Specific Admissions Requirements as listed in the Direct Entry applicant information.

Direct entry applicant information

Mature Students (Canadian Armed Forces)

Members of the Canadian Armed Forces who have completed fewer than twenty-four (24) credit hours of recognized post-secondary study are eligible to apply to as a Mature Student. For information regarding admission requirements, refer to the Direct Entry Applicant Information Bulletin.

Transiting from University 1

University 1 students who have completed a minimum of 24 credit hours may enter the Faculty of Arts by a ‘transit’ process available through the Aurora Student Registration system provided they have not attended another post-secondary institution after their U1 registration. There is no application fee to transit to Arts. Please note that University 1 students can transit once a year in mid-June, before registration for Fall and Winter courses.

To be eligible to transit, a student must have achieved a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.00 on 24 credit hours of university level courses. Students who have completed more than 24 credit hours at the point of transit assessment must have achieved a minimum adjusted grade point average (AGPA) of 2.00. The AGPA calculation will be based on the best graded 24 credit hours of completed coursework at the point of transit.

Details on how to complete the transit process can be found in the University 1 section of the Undergraduate Calendar. Students can also contact either the Faculty of Arts Student Advising Services Office or the University 1 First Year Centre for information.

Advanced Entry (applicants with university/college background)

Students in other programs at the University of Manitoba, Université de Saint-Boniface or from other universities/colleges can apply for admission to the Faculty of Arts through the online application process.

An application fee and appropriate documentation are required, and application and documentation deadlines must be observed (see Section 3: Application Process & Deadlines).

Applicants will be subject to the Faculty regulations and requirements for continuation in an Arts degree program which are detailed in the University of Manitoba Academic Calendar.

Casual Student

This admissions category is only suitable for students who are not intending on completing a Bachelor of Arts degree. It is intended for students who seek to register in particular courses offered by the Faculty of Arts for either personal or professional development. Students admitted under this category can only register in select courses offered by the Faculty of Arts.

A. Academic Requirements

Applicants applying as Advanced Entry must fulfill the Academic Requirements as outlined below:

1. General Students

Students who wish to be admitted as General Students to the Faculty of Arts must:

1. Have completed (where a final grade has been recorded) a minimum of 24 credit hours of coursework at a recognized college or university; and
2. Present a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.0 (C) or better. 

Students who have completed the minimum 24 credit hours of coursework, and do not meet the minimum 2.0 CGPA, may be considered on an individual basis for admission on the Recommendation of the Dean.

Recommendation of the Dean

A minimum 2.0 grade point average (GPA) on the best 24 credit hours of coursework acceptable for credit (transferable) in Arts is required to receive consideration for admission on the Dean’s recommendation.

Applicants with external post-secondary studies may be required to submit course outlines for coursework completed within the last 10 years to determine eligibility under this category. Outlines are required by the documentation deadline.

Students on active academic or disciplinary suspension at another university or in another faculty at the University of Manitoba will not be eligible for consideration for admission.

Students ‘Required to Withdraw’ from a faculty at the University of Manitoba will not normally be considered for admission to the Faculty of Arts.

When assessing students for eligibility for admission, the Faculty will include:

• All courses that have been assigned final grades, including failed courses, regardless of year of completion.
• Should a grade be retained on your record yet excluded from your institutional GPA calculation, that grade will be used to meet admission requirements and the GPA calculation for your application to the University of Manitoba.
• Consideration of the total number of failed courses applicable to the Faculty of Arts. Students with more than 36 credit hours of failed courses should contact an Academic Advisor in the Faculty for further information. 

2. Second Degree Students

Applicants who have already completed a first degree in Arts or any other discipline, at the University of Manitoba or another recognized university, may apply for admission as a Second Degree student. Complete and official transcripts, including proof of first degree are required.

Note: Students will not be permitted to complete a second degree at the same level as their first degree in the same discipline.

3. Casual Student

To be eligible for admission as a Casual Student, applicants must:

• Be 18 years of age or older by the first day of classes for the term in which the relevant course is offered.
• Meet the minimum English Language Proficiency Requirements as outlined in Section 2: Eligibility Requirements, B. English Language Proficiency Requirements.

Prior to registration students will be required to obtain written approval from the course instructor, the Head/Program Director of the Department/Program offering the course, and the Dean of Arts (or designate). Applicants should seek permission by the Faculty of Arts prior to applying, as we do not guarantee placement in coursework. Interested students should contact arts_inquiry@umanitoba.ca.

B. English Language Proficiency Requirements

All applicants whose primary language is not English and do not qualify for a waiver under the University of Manitoba’s English language proficiency regulations will be required to demonstrate proficiency in English. Additional information regarding specific proficiency requirements, waiver information, and test options can be found on the English language proficiency requirements page.

• English language proficiency requirements

Results for most language tests, including TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo, expire two years from the test date. Test scores must be valid at the start of classes. Please confirm the validity of your test results.

Applications are not considered received until the application is submitted and the non-refundable application fee has been paid by the posted deadline.

All correspondence, including decision release information will be sent via email and posted to your application portal.

Please ensure your email account remains current and will accept emails from the University of Manitoba. Check your filters.

It is important to check your email and application portal regularly and specifically around the deadlines and important dates listed below.

B. Deadlines and Important Dates

* Important note regarding spanned coursework

University of Manitoba students registered in a spanned course (Fall/Winter or Winter/Summer) cannot be considered for admission into the second term of the span and will thus have their application moved to the next term. University of Manitoba students who are registered in a spanned course should apply to the next intake after the completion of that course.

Applicants Applying to the Winter Term:

Applicants to the Winter term should be aware that transfer credit from external institutions may not be evaluated prior to the start of classes in January. Please use caution when selecting your courses. Additionally, space in classes can be limited as registration for Winter term courses commences in the prior summer.

C. Required Application Documentation

1. General or Second Degree Categories

The following documents will be required to complete your application under the General or Second Degree Categories:

2. Casual Student applicant category

Applicants applying under the Casual Student category are required to submit the following documents to complete your application:

Please send all documentation to the following address:

Admission for Arts
University of Manitoba
424 UMSU University Centre
66 Chancellors Circle
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2

Electronic transcripts should be submitted to applicant.services@umanitoba.ca.

In order to be considered official, electronic transcripts must be sent directly from the email of the office responsible for issuing transcripts. Transcripts emailed or forwarded by the applicant are considered unofficial.

The University of Manitoba is a registered receiving organization with MyCreds^TM. Applicants from participating member universities and colleges can release their transcripts to the University of Manitoba through their MyCreds^TM portal. Applicants should select 'Share' and then 'Organization' instead of opting for 'email'.

Applications are not complete until all necessary documents are received. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that our office receives all required information.

Applicants must notify the Admissions Office immediately should they either enroll at a postsecondary institution not previously declared on their application or enroll in additional coursework not declared on the previously submitted final transcript provided for assessment. Applicants will be required to provide proof of registration.

D. Transfer Credit Information

At the University of Manitoba, all prior course work from recognized post-secondary institutions will be considered as part of the application for admission process for our undergraduate degree and diploma programs.

Courses are evaluated for advanced standing or transfer credit on a course-by-course basis and assigned a University of Manitoba equivalent, where applicable. Where a direct equivalent does not exist, students may receive general (unallocated) credit. The regulations regarding transfer credit are program specific and vary considerably depending on the faculty or school of application. The Faculty of Arts will only consider external courses completed within the last ten years for the Bachelor of Arts.

Courses deemed acceptable for transfer credit will be awarded, subject to program approval, up to the maximum allowed under the program of admission, based on the Faculty or School’s transfer credit policy and residency requirements (consult the section of the University's Academic Calendar for details).

• Explore the Academic Calendar

Students may be asked to provide comprehensive and accurate course outlines or syllabi, as issued by their institution of study, for all courses lacking a current evaluation. Course outlines or syllabi should include information on course objectives, outline of the units studied, textbook(s) used, assignments, and accompanying laboratory information, if applicable, to assist in the transfer credit assessment process.

An online transfer credit resource is available for information on current course evaluations receiving credit.

While we appreciate that some institutions do not have course information readily available, many students have been able to provide the information requested by contacting the individual departments or instructors at their prior institutions.

Applicants applying under Recommendation of the Dean from an external post-secondary institution should be prepared to provide course syllabi for coursework completed within 10 years to determine their eligibility for admission by the application documentation deadline for the term in which they are applying. Applicants who are unable to provide the requested course information for assessment may render themselves ineligible for consideration.

Applicants seeking a first degree in Arts should be aware that in cases where outlines have not been provided by the below deadlines, unsuccessful course attempts, including F grades, may be assessed as part of the academic assessment regulations of a student's program of study. Arts “failed attempts” may be awarded as transfer of credit for those courses in which no outline is provided for a failed course.

Applicants who are seeking a second degree in the Faculty of Arts and those who have not provided course syllabi for courses successfully completed (D grade or higher) will not receive any further assessment of transfer of credit beyond the below stipulated deadlines.

Only successful applicants will be notified of transfer credit results through their Aurora Student account. Additional information related to transfer credit is available on the Admissions website.

Transfer credit information

A. Selection

1. Transfer students from other universities/colleges, and from other University of Manitoba faculties and Casual Student

Transfer students and Casual Students apply for admission online. Each application will be considered on an individual basis by the Admissions Officer afte all necessary official documentation has been received by the Admissions Office. Students who fail to submit all required documentation by the documentation deadline date will not be considered for admission.

2. Returning Faculty of Arts students

Former Faculty of Arts students of the University of Manitoba who have not completed their degree may request reinstatement to the program if it is within 10 years and they have not registered in another Faculty or at another university/college since their last registration in Arts. Such former students may contact the Faculty directly to request reactivation by filling out the Request for Student Reactivation form.

Student Reactivation form (PDF)

All former students who have attended another postsecondary institution/Faculty since their last Arts registration or are seeking reinstatement over 10 years must follow the application process.

B. Notification of Decision

Decisions will be posted to the applicant’s portal. Applicants must log into their application portal to view the decision and to accept or decline their offer. If the offer is not accepted by the deadline date indicated in the letter, the offer will lapse. Lapsed offers will be considered a declined response. It is imperative that email accounts remain current and that emails and application portals are regularly checked.

Applications are considered only for the term listed on the application. Consideration for a future term will require the submission of a new application.

Individuals who wish to have their applications reconsidered should submit their request to the Admissions Office. Past experience has shown that most inquiries can be satisfied at this level without further reference. Persons wishing reconsideration of the decision shall direct their request to the Admissions Office in writing within ten (10) business days of the posted decision date.

Should the student wish to pursue the reconsideration decision further, such an appeal will be made in accordance with the Senate Committee on Admission Appeals Procedures.

• Review the Senate Committee on Admission Appeals procedures

Applicants are advised that appeals of reconsideration decisions by the Senate Admissions Appeal Committee focus on questions of correct adherence to published policies and procedures, and NOT on subjective issues or the relative merits of the application.

The Faculty of Arts and Admissions Office are able to assist applicants who seek counselling regarding admission to the Faculty of Arts. However, it is policy not to instruct applicants as to a specific course of action they should follow, but rather to provide the information needed for applicants to make their own choice with respect to the alternatives available. The following points require special attention:

1. Applicants are encouraged to discuss their plans with all who can usefully advise them, but they should be aware that second and third hand information about admission policies may not be accurate.
2. No official at the university can guarantee the admission of any applicant.
3. All applicants are advised to supplement any personal enquiries with a written request so that an official written response can be made. It is only these written responses which will be considered as evidence of any advice given (see Section 8: Contact Information).

The University of Manitoba is committed to providing all students equal access to learning opportunities. If you are a student with a diagnosed disability (permanent, chronic, or temporary) who may require academic accommodations, please contact Student Accessibility Services at 204-474-7423 or by email at student_accessibility@umanitoba.ca to learn more about the confidential supports that are available.

The following other contacts may also be useful.