University of Manitoba - Graduate Studies -

Minimum Requirements for Applicants

Master's Program | Doctoral (Ph.D.) Program

Admission to the Faculty of Graduate Studies is competitive and a combination of factors is considered in the admission decision, including:

The past academic performance of the applicant and assessments of referees. These are used as indicators of the likelihood that the applicant can successfully complete the course of studies and research for the degree.
The capacity of the department (unit, faculty, institute, etc.) to provide the program of study and research requested by the applicant, including adequate study and research facilities.
The availability and willingness of a faculty member competent to supervise the program of study and research of the applicant.
A successfully completed English Language Proficiency Test is required of all applicants unless they have received a high school diploma or university degree from Canada or one of the countries listed on the English Language Proficiency Test Exemption List. If applicable, this score is required as a basis for admission and applicants will NOT be accepted subject to receipt of an acceptable score. Documented proof of either the above must be submitted with the application for admission. Please note: scores more than two years old are not acceptable.
A staff member at the University above the rank of Lecturer or Instructor II is not eligible to register for a higher degree in the department in which the appointment is held.

Applicants to graduate studies are required to supply certain documents. For a list of these documents, please refer to the Required Documentation page.

Master's Program

Students who are eligible to be considered for direct admission to a program of study leading to the Master's degree include:

1. Graduates of four-year undergraduate degree programs (or equivalent) from

a) Canadian institutions empowered by law to grant degrees: or

b) Colleges and universities outside Canada which are officially recognized by The Faculty of Graduate Studies.

2. Students who have completed the pre-Master's program from the University of Manitoba or from another university as described in points a) and b) above.

All students applying for a Master's degree program must have attained a minimum GPA of 3.0 (B or equivalent) in the last two full years (60 credit hours) of study. If there are pending courses on your transcript at the time of admission, please be aware that a final transcript will become a provision of your admission and that these new grades must maintain a 3.0 GPA. This includes those applying for direct admission and those entering from a pre-Masters program. Students who meet the minimum requirements for admission to the Faculty of Graduate Studies are not guaranteed admission.

The pre-Master's program is designed to bring the student's standing to the approximate level of an Honours graduate in the major department and to provide the student with any necessary prerequisites for courses to be taken in the Masters program.

In specific cases where the academic background of the student is judged to be insufficient for the given program in a unit the department may recommend that the student be admitted to a pre-Masters program of study.

Doctoral (Ph.D.) Program

Normally, a Master’s degree or equivalent from a recognized university and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B or equivalent) or equivalent in the last two previous years of full time study (60 credit hours) is the minimum requirement for admission to the Ph.D. program. If there are pending courses on your transcript at the time of admission, please be aware that a final transcript will become a provision of your admission and that these new grades must maintain a 3.0 GPA. With special recommendation of the department concerned (please see below), applicants with an honours Bachelor’s degree may be considered for entry to Ph.D. study.

Direct Admission from the Bachelor’s Honours or equivalent

Students to be considered for admission to a Ph.D. program directly from the honours Bachelor’s degree or equivalent must be outstanding in their academic background (GPA well above 3.0 (B or equivalent) in the last two full years of undergraduate study). Once admitted, these students must complete at least 24 credit hours of course work and will be assessed Ph.D. fees for 3 years.

Transfer from the Master’s to the Ph.D. program

Students who have not completed a Master’s program may transfer to the Ph.D. program within the same department upon recommendation to the Faculty of Graduate Studies by the student’s major department. The course-work completed in the Master’s program would normally become a part of the Ph.D. program, and the number of years spent in the Master’s program would be counted as years in the Ph.D. program. Students must complete at least 24 credit hours of coursework. If the transfer occurs within 12 months of the initial registration in the Master’s program, the student will be assessed Ph.D. fees for 3 years. If the transfer occurs after 12 months, the student will be assessed Ph.D. program fees for 2 years (as they will have already paid fees for the Master’s program). Students are cautioned that such transfers may impact on the University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship duration.

Note: Students must maintain continuous registration in their Master’s program until completion. Students will require assistance from the Department or the Faculty of Graduate Studies to complete dual registration in the Master’s and Ph.D. program simultaneously. Students must maintain continuous registration in their Master’s program until completion. Students will require assistance from the Department or the Faculty of Graduate Studies to complete dual registration in the Master’s and Ph.D. program simultaneously.

Note: Where a student with a Master’s degree or equivalent is initially admitted and registered in a Master’s program; that student may be transferred to the Ph.D. program within the same department on recommendation from the student’s advisor and Department head, provided the recommendation is made at the time of admission to the Master’s Program (i.e. “Possible transfer to Ph.D. Program within 12 months”) and the follow up transfer recommendation occurs within 12 months of the initial registration in the Master’s program. In such a case, fees assessed to-wards the Master’s program will be deducted from the full 2 years of Ph.D. program fees.

Provisional Admission to the Ph.D.

Students nearing completion of the Master’s degree may be accepted provisionally to the Ph.D. program for up to a 12 month period (commencing with the first registration in the Ph.D. program). Further registration in the Ph.D. program is contingent upon completion of all requirements of the Master’s degree within the 12 months.