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UWinnipeg Fast Facts

The University of Winnipeg received its charter in 1967 but its roots date back more than 145 years and is noted for academic excellence, Indigenous scholarship, environmental commitment, small class sizes and campus diversity. 

The founding colleges were Manitoba College (1871), and Wesley College (1888), which merged to form United College in 1938. 

University Motto: Lux et Veritas Floreant - Let Light and Truth Flourish.

Total students: 9,028 (as of November 1, 2023)

Undergrad: 8,776 (as of November 1, 2023)

Graduate: 252 (as of November 1, 2023)

Indigenous: 11.8% of the student population self-identifies as Indigenous, one of the strongest Indigenous participation rates among Canadian universities.

International: 1,624 – 18% of student population (as of November 1, 2023)

University programs

Visit Undergraduate Programs to see our full range of arts, business & economics, science, education, and kinesiology programs

Visit Graduate Programs to see our full range of professional, master of arts, master of science, environmental studies, and theology programs.

Visit Tuition and course related fees for fee information. 

Collegiate

Total students: 376 (as of Sept 2020)

The Collegiate offers Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 programs. Within the Collegiate, the Model School educates between 30 and 40 inner-city students annually who receive individualized work plans and financial and academic supports to ensure their success.

Professional, Applied, and Continuing Education (PACE)

Total students: approximately 2,767 students take PACE classes annually.

Professional Applied and Continuing Education (PACE) at UWinnipeg helps prepare learners for ongoing changes in the workplace. Our programs appeal to domestic and permanent resident learners as a well as to international students, all of whom want to improve their employability. PACE offers a wide range of full- and part-time courses, programs, certificates, and diplomas in the areas of management, project management, human resources, finance, public relations, marketing, leadership, IT security, web development, educational assistant, and customized training.

English Language Program

Total students: 556 (as of Jan. 2023)

English Language Program (ELP) delivers high quality programming to international and domestic students seeking to enhance their English proficiency.

Awards and Financial Aid

Each year, the UWinnipeg Awards and Financial Aid office distributes approximately $6 million in student bursaries, scholarships and awards, as well as processing close to $24 million in government student aid.

Every fall term, approximately 500 Canadian students entering first-year studies receive automatic entrance scholarships ranging from $1,100 to $2,250.

New for Fall 2022, first-year International Students are automatically considered for entrance scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $3,000.

While studying each year, current Canadian and International students are considered for approximately 300 department-specific scholarships and awards. This is in addition to almost $2 million in university-wide scholarships and bursaries for full-time students in any area of study.

In partnership with the Manitoba Metis Federation, the university supports more than 100 Louis Riel student bursaries each year totalling over $185,000.

UWinnipeg and Indspire are long-time partners and provide 80-plus Building Brighter Futures bursaries of $4,400 each to new and continuing Indigenous students each year.

Since 2013, The University of Winnipeg has been a proud supporter of the Futures Forward Youth-in-Care Tuition Waiver. Each year, 30 new and continuing students are provided full tuition support from the university.

Research

UWinnipeg currently has eight Canada Research Chairs.

UWinnipeg offers unique research opportunities to undergraduates—many participate directly in research, either on their own or in close collaboration with faculty, a privilege usually reserved for graduate students at larger institutions. Often these students are listed as co-authors on publications and conference presentations. Departments at UWinnipeg employ undergraduate students as markers, lab demonstrators, and tutors. Hired routinely to assist professors with research, students gain practical experience, broadening their learning experience immensely.

Library holdings

UWinnipeg library has more than 750,000 items including books, periodicals, microfiche, and videos

Student housing

UWinnipeg student residences are close to the campus and offer several options to fit your housing needs. UWinnipeg opened McFeetors Hall:Great-West Life Student Residence in the Fall of 2009, which includes family-friendly apartments. Downtown Commons, a 14-storey apartment complex next to the Winnipeg Art Gallery, opened in 2016, offering students more choices.

Balmoral and Spence Houses are located within 5 minutes from campus. These houses are beautifully refurbished and provide students with accommodations that feel much more like a home than a dorm.

Athletics

The University of Winnipeg is home to The Winnipeg Wesmen men's and women's volleyball and basketball teams, and a women's soccer team.  As well, UWinnipeg supports numerous inner-city youth teams within the Wesmen family through assertive fundraising and community partnerships.

Student Supports

UWinnipeg students have access to a range of student services, including:

  • The Aboriginal Student Services Centre represents all First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students. Elders, Aboriginal Student Advisors, and Liaison officers are all available on-site for mentorship, academic and social support, and counselling. A new 3,000 square foot facility was created for the ASSC in Fall 2004. The new centre is the University’s focal point for culturally relevant Aboriginal programming including interactions with Elders, healing circles, and programs that encourage students to celebrate their identity.
  • International Students Services at UWinnipeg offers a variety of services — including orientation, socio-cultural events and a mentorship program — to international students.
  • Accessibility Services and the Accessibility Resource Centre offers adaptive equipment and services for students with special needs or disabilities
  • On-site daycare centre
  • Free tutoring in writing, math, chemistry, physics, and computer skills
  • Career planning and job search assistance

Alumni

The University’ has more than 53,000 alumni who contribute to the community through politics, law, medicine, business, theology, the arts, and athletics throughout Canada and around the world. Some of our most notable grads include:  (see more detailed list here).

UWinnipeg graduates: 58,687 (as of October 2022)
Collegiate graduates: 17,943 (as of October 2022)
PACE graduates: 7,463 (as of October 2022)

Notable alumni include:

  • Dr. Annette Trimbee, former President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Winnipeg
  • The Hon. Lloyd Axworthy, P.C, O.C., O.M., former President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Winnipeg, former Minister of Foreign Affairs
  • Len Cariou, O.M., Tony Award-winning and Emmy-nominated stage, film and television actor
  • Hon. Kevin Chief, Manitoba Minister of Children and Youth Opportunities
  • Eleanor Coopsammy, Journalist
  • Hilary Druxman, Jewelry designer
  • Linda Holeman, Author
  • Tina Keeper, Actress, producer, and former Member of Parliament for Churchill, Manitoba
  • Wab Kinew, Leader of the Manitoba New Democratic Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba (Collegiate)
  • Chantal Kreviazuk, Singer and songwriter (Collegiate)
  • Troy Lulashnyk, Diplomat and Director General for Global Affairs Canada
  • Guy Maddin, C.M., O.M., Filmmaker
  • Shannon Martin, Global News anchor
  • Diane McGifford, former Provincial Minister of Advanced Education and Literacy
  • Cheryl McKenzie, Gemini Award nominated journalist, host and producer of APTN National News
  • Donald John Roberts, Professor of Economics, Strategic Management, and International Business in the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University and award-winning author
  • Paul Samyn, Editor, Winnipeg Free Press
  • Susan Thompson, O.M., former Mayor of Winnipeg, former Consul General to the US, based in Minneapolis, and former President and CEO of The University of Winnipeg Foundation (Collegiate)