6 facts you need to know about post secondary education in Manitoba
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Did you know that Manitoba was the first province in Western Canada to establish a university? The University of Manitoba was established in 1877 and granted its first degrees in 1880. Known as a research powerhouse, U of M has produced groundbreaking research in nanotechnology and the life sciences, and has produced more Rhodes Scholars than any university in Western Canada (read 10 great things to know about the U of M).
Aside from the U of M, Manitoba has other public, private, or technical schools and community colleges. If you are on your way to becoming a post secondary student or are an international student interested in studying in Manitoba, here are a few other facts you may want to know:
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Manitoba education is world class yet affordable
Manitoba adheres to high academic standards and rigorous quality controls that is why graduates are highly regarded all over the world. Even then, Manitoba’s tuition fees, especially for international students, are among the lowest compared to the US and the United Kingdom, as well as other provinces in Canada.
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You have a variety of educational institutions to choose from . . .
Manitoba boasts of five public universities, three colleges (two English-language and one French), four religious denominational post secondary institutions, and a technical institute (for a listing, go to Post-Secondary Education on the Manitoba government page). Depending on your need, whether you are looking to complete a degree, a short-term program, or vocational training, there is an appropriate educational institution for you in the province.
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… and a host of programs available
Professional degree programs in more than 90 disciplines await you from the U of M alone. These include agriculture, environmental studies, the arts and sciences, commerce, education, engineering, fine arts, human ecology, medicine, pharmacy, nursing, social work, even courses in theology and divinity. There are also credit and non-credit diploma and certificate programs, as well as vocational programming and apprenticeship in various trades. For more information, go to Pick your Program or visit the websites of colleges or universities you are interested in and check curriculum and program offerings.
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You can enjoy a multicultural campus experience here
Manitoba is the most culturally diverse province in Canada with more than 100 languages spoken here. The province owns the distinction of having “more restaurants per capita than any other place in North America. Many of these restaurants serve authentic international cuisine and are owned and operated by immigrants to Manitoba”.
To have a glimpse of what it’s like to study in Manitoba, here’s a video from the U of M on Campus Living, Student life: -
Scholarships and bursaries are available for you
Residents can avail of bursaries, grants and loans to fund their education in Manitoba. You can also check out Manitoba NEADS’s financial aid directory for more options. Go through this list of Canada Student Grants to see if something fits your circumstances. For other options such as part-time education, student loans, and grants, go to CanLearn to explore other funding arrangements.
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Great for international students
Aside from comparatively lower tuition rates, studying in Manitoba can be a great experience for international students due to the affordable cost of living and the friendly Manitoban communities. International students can also benefit from world class English as an Additional/ Second Language(EAL/ESL) training, opportunity to work after graduation and assessment eligibility for permanent residency status. To know more about getting a study permit, go to Manitoba.ca’s International Students page. More information can be found on the Study in Canada and Designated Learning Institutions List (IRCC) pages.
Sources: Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Manitoba.ca, and the University of Manitoba site.