Faculty of Law applicant admissions requirements (2025-2026)

First Year: December 1, 2024
Upper Year Categories: June 30, 2025

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

Program offered

Juris Doctor (JD)

A. Academic Requirements

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. 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.

All applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Completed Coursework

Index Score Category Applicants

Minimum of 20 one-term or 10 two-term, or combination thereof, university degree level courses (60 credit hours). See course completion deadlines below.

Individual Consideration and Canadian Indigenous Category Applicants

Minimum of 20 one-term or 10 two-term, or combination thereof, university degree level courses (60 credit hours). See course completion deadlines below.

Individual Consideration and Canadian Indigenous Category Mature Students (26+)

If 26 years of age by September 1 in year admission is sought, a minimum of 10 one-term or 5 two-term, or combination thereof, university degree level courses (30 credit hours). If more than 30 credit hours are completed, the AGPA will be calculated using all completed courses. See course completion deadlines below. NOTE: Applicants who have completed fewer than 60 credit hours will not be eligible to be moved to the Index Score category if unsuccessful in selection.

Notes: Deadline for Course Completion by Category

• Index Score Category: December 31, 2024 (or the end of the Fall 2024 term for your institution, should it end later than the posted deadline)
• Individual Consideration: September 1, 2024
• Canadian Indigenous Category: December 31, 2024 (or the end of the Fall 2024 term for your institution, should it end later than the posted deadline)

2. Law School Admissions Test (LSAT)

LSAT completed no earlier than June 2020 and no later than January 2025 for Index Score OR November 2024 for Individual Consideration and Canadian Indigenous Categories (January 2025 for Upper Year: Transfers). An LSAT score is valid for 5 years. Please see Section 4: Selection Process, B. Operative LSAT Score Determination for details on minimum scores.

The LSAT will be administered through an online, live remote-proctored format. All test takers must have a completed LSAT Writing sample on file, otherwise scores will not be released by LSAC. The writing portion of the test will be open eight (8) days prior to every test administration. Please see Section 3: Application Process & Deadlines, B. Deadlines and Important Dates for the writing sample deadlines.

For more information on the LSAT, including how to register, prepare, and the submission of the writing sample, please visit the LSAC website.

B. English Language Proficiency Requirements

All applicants whose primary language is not English and do not meet the University of Manitoba’s English language proficiency regulations will be required to demonstrate their command of the English Language through one of the following options:

1. Overall minimum score of 100 with no section lower than 24 on the Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language - TOEFL (iBT).
2. Minimum score of 7.0 on the Academic model with no less than 7.0 on each section in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
3. Minimum score of 80 with no subtest below 80 on the Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL).

AEPUCE (Academic English Program for University and College Entrance) and Duolingo are not accepted for admission to the Faculty of Law.

Language test results, including TOEFL and IELTS, expire two years from the test date. Please confirm the validity of your test results. Test Scores must be valid at the start of classes.

C. Categories of Admission to First Year Law

1. Index Score Category (aka General Category)

The Index Score category is the ‘general’ or ‘main’ category of admission; approximately 80% of students are admitted to first year through this category. Admissions decisions are solely based on the Adjusted Grade Point Average (AGPA) and LSAT score.

Category Requirements:

• Minimum of 60 credit hours of university degree level study
• LSAT score

2. Individual Consideration Category

This category is primarily for Mature Students (the Faculty of Law defines a Mature Student as someone over the age of 26 by September 1 the year admission is sought).

This category is also for applicants, notwithstanding the age requirement, who have faced barriers to education for reasons related to equity, inclusion and diversity including lived experiences pertaining to disabilities, persons with lived experiences that relate to goals of fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion, and building towards Truth and Reconciliation. Coursework must be completed by September 1 in the year of application.

The objectives of the category are:

1. To enrich the law school environment for all students by fostering diversity of perspective and experience within the student body that otherwise may not be obtained through exclusive adherence to relative AGPA/LSAT performance.
2. To benefit the profession and the community by producing graduates who can make a significant and/or special contribution.
3. To provide access for those applicants who have encountered barriers to education, including persons with disabilities, Black students, Indigenous students, students of colour, and persons with lived experiences that relate to goals of fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion, and building towards Truth and Reconciliation.

Regard may be had to any/all factors considered relevant to the achievement of the foregoing objectives including such matters as motivation, personal fortitude in dealing with life’s obstacles, communication, interpersonal and leadership skills, occupational, cultural or educational background, community (union, religious, political, charitable) service, maturity and integrity, etc.

Notes: Regarding Individual Consideration Category

• Applicants must display adequate academic and intellectual merit to complete legal studies. 
• All applicants applying under this category will automatically be assessed under the Regular (Index Score) Category should they be deemed eligible by having the minimum 60 credit hour course requirement. Should an applicant meet the Early Offer cut-off score, a subsequent offer will be made. Please review Section 4: Selection Process, J. Offer for information on the Index Score offer timeline and waitlist schedule.

Category Requirements (see Section 3: Application Process & Deadlines, C. Required Application Documentation) for documentation details and definitions.

• Minimum of 60 credit hours (or 30 if 26+ years) of university degree level study
• LSAT score
• Personal Statement
• Résumé
• Three Recommendation letters
• Supporting (Medical) Documentation (if applicable); please see Section 3: Application Process & Deadlines, C. Required Application Documentation

Applicants questioning their suitability under the Individual Consideration category should contact lawadmissions@umanitoba.ca.

3. Canadian Indigenous Category

Robson Hall Faculty of Law is concerned about systemic racism within the legal system and in particular the disproportionate impacts on Indigenous peoples. As part of promoting diverse and inclusive legal education, the Canadian Indigenous Category considers applications of Indigenous peoples in Canada (Metis, First Nations and Inuit) in a more holistic fashion.

Category Requirements (see Section 3: Application Process & Deadlines, C. Required Application Documentation) for documentation details and definitions:

• Minimum of 60 credit hours (or 30 if 26+ years) of university degree level study
• LSAT score
• Personal Statement
• Résumé
• Three (3) Recommendation Letters

Notes: Regarding Canadian Indigenous Category

All applicants applying under this category will automatically be assessed under the Regular (Index Score) Category should they be deemed eligible by having the minimum 60 credit hour course requirement. Should an applicant meet the Early Offer cut-off score, a subsequent offer will be made. Please review Section 4: Selection Process, J. Offer Timeline and Waitlist for information on the Index Score offer timeline and waitlist schedule.

D. Indigenous Law Centre Summer Program (University of Saskatchewan)

Indigenous Law Centre Summer Program (ILC) is an eight-week summer course offered through the University of Saskatchewan’s Indigenous Law Centre. It provides Canadian Indigenous students from across the country an opportunity to study first-year Property Law prior to beginning law school in the fall. University of Manitoba Canadian Indigenous applicants may be asked to complete this course as a provision of their acceptance to law school.

With successful completion of the course, students will be given academic credit for LAW 1500 Property Law.

E. Half-Time Studies

The Faculty of Law will accept applications from those who wish to pursue a JD degree but cannot commit to full-time studies due to health concerns, family commitments, financial necessity, or special occupational involvement. Half-time applicants may choose to apply in any of the first-year categories. Please note the admission requirements are the same as full-time applicants.

Half-time JD studies allows for completion of the JD program in a maximum time of six (6) years verses three (3) years of full-time studies. Studying half-time is not a separate evening, weekend, correspondence, or external program. Rather, refers to half of the course load of a full-time student. Half-time students must be able and prepared to attend classes at various times throughout each day of the week. No separate classes will be scheduled for half-time students. If you apply under the Individual Consideration or Canadian Indigenous category, you will be asked to complete a questionnaire (found in the application itself). Please email lawadmissions@umanitoba.ca with further inquiries.

F. Categories of Admission to Upper Years (not First Year)

Concerning Upper Years’ categories, the Admissions Committee must be satisfied that the presence of the applicant in and their prospective contribution to the Faculty are likely to have the most beneficial or enriching effect upon the Faculty’s program.

1. Advanced Standing Category

Persons applying in this category have already earned a JD degree or its equivalent from another law school or are entitled to practice law in a foreign jurisdiction. A maximum of up to two (2) years of credit may be granted.

Category Requirements:

• LSAT score by January in the calendar year admission is sought
• Transcripts from legal studies
• Transcript(s) from pre-law students
• Proof of English proficiency (if applicable)
• A written statement (maximum length, two 8½ x 11 pages) describing why you would like to continue your legal studies at Robson Hall

2. Letter of Permission Category (visiting student)

Persons applying in this category are currently registered at another law school and are seeking to earn credits at Robson Hall for a period of no more than two (2) terms.

Category Requirements:

• Official letter from the home law school confirming permission to register for up to one year of credit
• Transcript from legal studies
• A written statement (maximum length, two 8½ x 11 pages) describing why you would like to continue your legal studies at Robson Hall

3. National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) Category

The NCA Category is currently being evaluated. Lawyers seeking accreditation in Canada are strongly encouraged to apply to the Internationally Trained Lawyers (“ITL”) Program. The ITL Program provides pathways to registration with the Law Society of Manitoba (LSM) for internationally trained lawyers. The program allows students to complete the requirements for a Certificate of Qualification, which are set by the Federation of Law Societies of Canada’s National Committee on Accreditation. More information can be found in the Faculty of Law website.

Persons applying for admission in this category are not seeking a JD degree from the University of Manitoba. Rather, are looking to complete accreditation requirements of the NCA with the intent of practicing law in Canada. A law degree from a civil law school in Canada or from a foreign law school is required.

Category Requirements:

• NCA recommendation indicating subjects required
• Official transcripts from legal studies
• A written statement indicating connection to the province of Manitoba and why studies should be completed at Robson Hall Faculty of Law
• A copy of MB Health card to validate Manitoba residency (if applicable)
• Proof of English proficiency (if applicable)

4. Transfer Category

Persons who have successfully completed First Year law at another common law school, within or outside of Canada, may apply to continue their studies at Robson Hall, Faculty of Law.

Category Requirements:

• LSAT score by January in the calendar year admission is sought
• A written statement (maximum length, two 8½ x 11 pages) describing why you would like to continue your legal studies at Robson Hall (this may include compassionate circumstances, if applicable)
• Transcript from legal studies
• Transcript(s) from pre-law studies
• Two (2) letters of recommendation; preferably letters from a professor/lecturer from first year law

A. Application fee

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

1. Index Score Applicants

2. Individual Consideration Applicants

3. Canadian Indigenous Category Applicants

4. Upper Years Applicants

C. Required Application Documentation

The following documents will be required to complete your application:

Electronic transcripts should be submitted to applicant.services@umanitoba.ca. See Section 9: Contact Information for the Admissions Office mailing address.

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 after the application deadline 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.

A. Calculation of the Adjusted Grade Point Average (AGPA)

A Grade Point Average (GPA) is generally understood to be all courses completed multiplied by the weight per course. For the purpose of admission to the Faculty of Law, an applicant’s GPA will be adjusted when one or more of the thresholds presented in the table below are met. The GPA calculation for law school admission will be referred to as the AGPA.

The AGPA is calculated using graded credit hours, whether completed on a full or part time basis, in undergraduate or graduate programs, or in Regular, Evening or Summer Sessions. Courses completed outside of a degree will also be included, providing they are from an accredited institution, and at university degree level.

Applicants who have completed 60-89 credit hours will have their AGPA calculated on all graded credit hours completed. Applicants with more than 90 credit hours completed will have their AGPA adjusted according to the following thresholds:

The University of Manitoba assigns grades on a grade point scale as described in the following table. If an applicant attends an institution that assigns percentage grades on their official transcript, the percentage grade will be converted to a letter grade consistent with the grade point scale below.

*Please note, this grading scale will not be applied to international transcripts or studies completed through CEGEP.

Transcripts showing minus grades will be converted as follows: A- = 4.0, B- = 3.0, C- = 2.0.

Notes: Relating to AGPA Calculations

• Credit hours for non-graded courses completed will not be included in the credit hour calculation unless a non-graded course has a ‘Fail’ as a final result. The “F” grade will be included in the AGPA calculation.
• Pass grades and credit hours will not be used in the AGPA calculation or in the total credit hours completed. 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.
• Should your university, the University of Manitoba or another institution, retain a grade yet exclude it from your institutional GPA calculation, that grade will be used to meet admission requirements and the GPA calculation.
• University degree level courses completed outside of a degree will be used in the AGPA calculation.
• Courses completed at a non-university nondegree level will only be considered for eligibility and in calculating the AGPA if they can be applied towards a University of Manitoba degree.
• Applicants are required to have successfully completed the minimum number of credit hours; courses with grades of ‘F’ will be included in the AGPA calculation. They will be among the first dropped according to the table presented.
• No changes to the calculation of the AGPA will be made after the final transcript deadline of February 1 unless there are exceptional circumstances to consider, such as a grade appeal.
• Grades presented on official transcripts will be taken at face-value; and only conversion tables printed on the reverse of an official transcript will be considered.
• All attempts (both in credit hours and resulting grades) of courses that are repeated will be included in the AGPA calculation.
• It is the applicant’s responsibility to inform the Admissions Office in writing of any deferred exams or grade changes. All final grades, including grade changes, must be submitted to the Admissions Office by the final document deadline to be included in the final selection process.

Request for Elimination

Under special circumstances, applicants may seek the elimination of a portion of their academic record from the calculation of the AGPA for law admission.

Applicants are asked to submit their request in writing – clearly outlining how one of the two scenarios listed below are applicable. The request must be received prior to the December 1 application deadline. Requests and inquiries should be directed to applications.law@umanitoba.ca. Decisions will be communicated via email after the application deadline.

To request elimination, one of the following scenarios must apply:

1. If grades obtained at least five (5) years before the commencement of a fresh program of studies by the applicant, where the new course of studies consists of at least an additional 48 credit hours, completed over no more than two (2) consecutive academic years and where the Faculty is satisfied that the earlier results are not a material indicator of the applicant’s academic potential.

or

2. If an applicant presents a university academic record showing a new program of study consisting of at least 60 additional graded credit hours completed over no more than three (3) consecutive academic years in a different faculty, and where the Faculty is satisfied that the results in the first faculty are not a material indicator of the applicant’s academic potential.

B. Operative LSAT Score Determination

The LSAT is administered by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). All information regarding LSAT, including registration, should be obtained from LSAC directly. The score scale for LSAT is 120 – 180.

Notes: Regarding the LSAT

• If multiple scores exist, the highest will be used for admission purposes.
• A LSAT score expires after 5 years.
• A LSAT score is not released by LSAC until at least one written sample is on file.

C. Index Score Category Assessment

The selection of applicants in the Index Score category is made based on the 50/50 weighting of AGPA/LSAT score. The formula for calculation:

The formula used for the calculation of Index Score is available in alternate formats upon request. Please contact applications.law@umanitoba.ca.

A chart showing the distribution of offers to applicants based on their respective AGPA and LSAT score is available on the Faculty of Law website.

D. Individual Consideration Category Assessment

A holistic review is used for applications in the Individual Consideration category, using the applicant’s personal statement, résumé, recommendation letters, AGPA and LSAT, with no particular weight attached to any one requirement. AGPA and LSAT score will be considered, however not to the exclusive extent as in the Index Score category. Decisions are necessarily subjective; reasons are neither recorded nor given.

Applications will be reviewed by Screening Committees in mid-January, recommending twenty-four (24) applicants for interviews. An interview is necessary for the potential of an offer to exist. Applicants in this category should appreciate that not everyone can be interviewed and that, given the few places available, the competition is especially keen.

As a result of the interviews, up to 15 full time offers may be made. The allocation of the available offers is entirely at the discretion of the Faculty of Law.

Notes: Regarding the Interview

• The interviews are scheduled for Saturday, March 8th, 2025 and Sunday, March 9th, 2025.

E. Canadian Indigenous Category Assessment

A holistic review is used for applications in the Canadian Indigenous category, considering the applicant’s personal statement, résumé, recommendation letters, AGPA and LSAT, with no particular weight attached to any one requirement. AGPA and LSAT score are considered, however not to the exclusive extent of the Index Score category. Decisions are necessarily subjective; reasons are neither recorded, nor given.

Applicants are required to demonstrate their connection and/or involvement in their community.

• Applications will be reviewed by Screening Committees in mid-January, recommending applicants for interviews. An interview is necessary for the potential of an offer to exist. Applicants in this category should appreciate that not everyone can be interviewed and that, given the few places available, the competition is especially keen.
• The allocation of the available offers is entirely at the discretion of the Faculty of Law.

Notes: Regarding the Interview

• The interviews are scheduled for Saturday, March 8th, 2025 and Sunday, March 9th, 2025.

Some students may receive a provisional offer based on attendance and successful completion of the Indigenous Law Centre Summer Program at the University of Saskatchewan.

F. Letter of Permission Category Assessment

The Admissions Committee must be satisfied of the quality of the academic performance at the home law school. Reasons for decisions are neither recorded nor given.

G. NCA Category Assessment

The NCA Category is currently being evaluated. Lawyers seeking accreditation in Canada are strongly encouraged to apply to the Internationally Trained Lawyers (“ITL”) Program. The ITL Program provides pathways to registration with the Law Society of Manitoba (LSM) for internationally trained lawyers. The program allows students to complete the requirements for a Certificate of Qualification, which are set by the Federation of Law Societies of Canada’s National Committee on Accreditation. More information can be found in the Faculty of Law website.

A holistic review is used for applications in the NCA category, with no particular weight attached to any one requirement. It should be noted no specific number of seats are reserved for NCA applicants in any one year; competition is especially keen. Reasons for decisions are not recorded nor given.

H. Transfer Category Assessment

A holistic review is used for applications in the Transfer category, with no particular weight attached to any one requirement. It should be noted no specific number of seats are reserved for transfer applicants in any one year. In addition to the holistic review of required documents, capacity is a factor. Reasons for decisions are neither recorded nor given.

I. Offer Timeline and Waitlist

Index Score

• The Early Offer score will be established sometime in February, once all applications have been assessed. To qualify, an applicant must have completed a minimum of 60 credit hours and have written the LSAT by November 2024. All applicants who meet these criteria, regardless of application category, are automatically considered.
• Offers are made to applicants, regardless of category, who meet the set Early Offer score after Fall 2024 Term grades and/or November 2024 and January 2025 LSAT scores are available. 
• In April, a waitlist with Manitoba and Out of Province applicants is created.
• In July, the waitlist is exclusive to Manitoba residents.

Manitoba Residents

Manitoba resident shall be defined as a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident of Canada who, at the application deadline, meets any one of the following four descriptions:

• Has graduated from a Manitoba high school; or
• Has a recognized degree from a university in Manitoba; or
• Has completed at least two consecutive years of full-time academic studies in a recognized program at a university in Manitoba, while physically residing in Manitoba; or
• Has resided continuously in Manitoba for any two-year period following high school graduation. The two-year residence period shall not be considered broken where the program’s admission committee is satisfied that the applicant was temporarily out of the province on vacation, in short-term volunteer work or employment, or as a full-time student.

Individual Consideration

• Applicants will be contacted by email and invited for interviews in mid-February.
• Interview weekend is Saturday, March 8th, 2025 and Sunday, March 9th, 2025.
• Offers will be made shortly after the interview weekend.
• Applicants that meet the Early Offer Index Score will be offered according to the Index Score timelines.

Canadian Indigenous Category

• Applicants will be contacted by email and invited for interviews in mid-February.
• Interview weekend is Saturday, March 8th, 2025 and Sunday, March 9th, 2025.
• Offers will be made shortly after the interview weekend.
• Applicants that meet the Early Offer Index Score will be offered according to the Index Score timelines.
• Initial offers are made in late February/early March.

All Upper Years Applicants

Offers are made in early to middle of August.

J. Tie Breaking Procedure for Offers

The University of Manitoba has a Senate approved tiebreaking procedure for admissions. In the event of a tie, the following procedure will be used:

1. Increase the number of significant figures used in the calculation.
2. Where a tie still exists, the application that was received first will be used to break the tie. All completed applications are time stamped upon submission; in the case of a paper application, these applications will be time stamped after they have been entered into the system by a University of Manitoba Admissions Office staff member.

K. Notification of Decision

Decisions will be posted to the applicant’s portal. The application system will automatically send an email to the address provided indicating a decision has been made on their file. Applicants must log into their application portal to view the decision and to accept or decline their offer. If the offer is not accepted and the subsequent deposit paid by the deadline date indicated in the letter, the offer will lapse. Lapsed offers will be considered a declined response. It is imperative that emails and application portals are regularly checked. Be certain to check your junk folder.

Applicants offered admission will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit of $300 by the deadline date indicated in the offer of admission. This deposit will be credited to first year fees or forfeited if the applicant subsequently withdraws.

Notes: Regarding Admission Decisions

One-year, non-renewable requests to defer registration will be accepted from:

• Early Offer Score recipients
• Canadian Indigenous offers
• Individual Consideration offers

The deadline to request a deferral is May 1st. Any deferral requests after this deadline will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Applicants seeking a deferral are asked to submit their request in writing (lawadmissions@umanitoba.ca), outlining the circumstances leading to the request. Approval of the deferral will be at the sole discretion of the Faculty.

If approved, applicants will be required to accept the offer and pay the initial $300 tuition deposit. An additional $300 deposit will be required by March 1 in the calendar year of admission. All funds will be applied to first year tuition fees when the student registers.

• Failure to appear on the first day of classes without prior notice to the Faculty will be deemed a non-registrant and will forfeit the seat. Application in a subsequent year may not be considered.
• Common Law school admission offices are notified if an applicant is holding more than one seat to first year law.

L. Application Fraud

The Faculty of Law may refuse or rescind an offer to an applicant if:

1. A person that has been dishonest in the application process
2. A person found guilty of misconduct during the LSAT administration.
3. A person who, in any previous year, accepted an offer to the Faculty of Law but failed to attend the first day of classes, and did not defer registration or provide written notification of withdrawal.

M. Applicants Who Have Failed a Year of Law or Required to Withdraw

Applications from individuals who have failed a year of law elsewhere will not be considered unless:

1. The applicant is permitted to apply for readmission to the Faculty in which they failed, in addition to having received permission to repeat the failed year; AND
2. There is a substantial reason why the failed year should be repeated at the University of Manitoba.

Applications from individuals who are on academic probation, suspension, or expulsion imposed by another unit at the University of Manitoba or another post-secondary institution will not be considered.

Individuals who wish to have their applications reconsidered should submit their request in writing to the Faculty. 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 lawadmissions@umanitoba.ca within ten (10) business days of the decision being issued. All appeals must come directly from the applicant and not a third party (e.g. parent, sibling, friend, agent, etc.).

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

• Review the Senate Committee on Appeals procedures

Applicants are advised that appeals of reconsideration decisions by the Senate 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 Law and the Admissions Office are able to assist applicants who seek counselling regarding admission to the Faculty of Law. 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 regarding admission policies may not be accurate.
2. No official at the university can guarantee the admission of any applicant. Admission is determined based on an annual competition.
3. All applicants are advised to put their enquiries in writing so that an official written response can be made. Contact the Faculty admissions advisor at lawadmissions@umanitoba.ca.

A. Effects of a Criminal Record

Admission to the Faculty of Law and the license to practice law are separate processes. An applicant with a criminal record may apply, and subsequently be admitted into the JD program without regard; however, it may result in licensing issues. The license to practice is granted only by the Law Society of the province/territory concerned. Persons with a criminal record contemplating a law degree and practice should consider contacting the Law Society of the province/territory in which they intend to practice, prior to application.

B. Scholarships

Applicants receiving Early Offers will be considered for merit-based scholarships with amounts ranging from $2,500 - $8,000.

Applicants will have the opportunity to upload a written statement that demonstrates personal characteristics associated with the highest standards of the profession. Submitting the statement is optional. Further information can be found on the Financial Aid & Awards section of the Faculty of Law website.

The majority of scholarship offers will be communicated to recipients in January/February. Scholarships are dependent on registration in the Faculty. If an applicant elects to defer their registration, they automatically forfeit the Entrance Scholarship.

C. Joint JD/MBA

The Faculty of Law and the Asper School of Business offer a joint JD/MBA program. Students may apply to this program after completion of their first year in the Faculty of Law. Students must be eligible for both programs in order to be admitted. Upon graduation, students will receive a JD and an MBA degree.

D. French Language Program

The Concentration in Access to Justice in French provides students with the basic skills required to provide legal services to clients in both official languages with a view to improving access to justice in French. To obtain this Concentration, students must complete at least 26 credits of bilingual JD courses. Students may apply to the Concentration separately after being admitted to the Faculty of Law.

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 to learn more about the confidential supports that are available.

The following other contacts may also be useful.