Our Bachelor of Jazz Studies program has raised Winnipeg's profile on the international jazz scene, creating regular opportunities for students to perform and collaborate with accomplished artists. This gives our students a chance to experience the creative partnerships and dynamic interplays that are the foundation of jazz music.
Study with us
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20+
Student ensembles
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40
Spacious, light-filled practice rooms
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1:5
Ratio of faculty members to students
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$600,000+
Value of scholarships, bursaries and prizes awarded annually
Program details
The broad and comprehensive program of study focuses on the four disciplines jazz musicians must cultivate to achieve professional success: performance, composition, arranging and pedagogy. Graduates are ready to pursue a career in any of these areas.
Expected duration: 4 years
In your first year, you will gain knowledge of the history of music, key aspects of theory and music acoustics, learn jazz rhythm performance techniques, and you will cultivate critical aural perception abilities—specifically your sight-singing, transcription and keyboard skills.
Second year core courses focus on jazz history and theory and the continued development of aural perception skills and jazz improvisation.
In years three and four you will also study jazz composition and arranging, jazz pedagogy – where you will teach and perform with young music students – and prepare and perform a public recital each year.
Throughout the duration of the program, all students can explore a wide range of elective courses; will receive individual lessons through Major Practical Study; and will participate in one or more jazz ensembles each year.
Sample course offerings
- MUSC 1004: Introduction to Music in History 1 (3 credit hours)
- MUSC 1182: Jazz Ensemble 1 (2 credit hours)
- MUSC 2072: Jazz History 1 (3 credit hours)
- MUSC 2112: Jazz Theory 1 (3 credit hours)
- MUSC 3112: Jazz Composition and Arranging 1 (3 credit hours)
- MUSC 3180: Ensemble (2 credit hours)
- MUSC 3084: Romantic Music History (3 credit hours)
- MUSC 4140: History of Canadian Music (3 credit hours)
- MUSC 4192: Jazz Improvisation 3 (2 credit hours)
For full course descriptions, please visit the Academic Calendar
Admission requirements
The following are minimum academic requirements for entry into the BMus 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.
If you do not meet the requirements for Direct entry into the BJazz program, your application will be automatically considered for admission to University 1. You do not have to reapply or pay a second application fee.
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.
Non-academic requirements
All applicants (Direct or Advanced Entry) must successfully pass the following non-academic requirements, in addition to the applicable academic requirements:
- Audition:
- For detailed information on audition requirements, please refer to Appendix 2: Audition Requirements for Bachelor of Jazz Studies (B.Jazz)
Meeting these requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program.
How to apply
Domestic student application fee: $100
International student application fee: $130
Applications to the University of Manitoba are completed online. To begin your application, select the "Start or continue your application" button. The online application includes several parts, and you may be required to submit transcripts, proof of English Language proficiency, and other documents.
To be considered for Desautels Faculty of Music scholarships, applicants must meet the application deadline and audition during the advertised audition dates. Applicants will be notified 2-3 weeks after the application deadline to arrange their audition and interview.
For detailed information on audition requirements, please refer to Appendix 1 (B.Mus) and Appendix 2 (B.Jazz).
Audition and Theory Entrance exam dates
| Date | |
|---|---|
| Interview | February 9 - 20, 2026 |
| Theory Entrance exam | February 9 - 20, 2026 |
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
Desautels Faculty of Music
Room T319
150 Dafoe Road West
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2