University of Manitoba

ABOUT UNIVERSITY

The University of Manitoba (UM), established on February 28, 1877, is the first university in Western Canada and the largest in Manitoba by enrolment and campus size. Located primarily in Winnipeg’s Fort Garry neighbourhood, with additional campuses across the city—including Bannatyne Campus and the French-language Université de Saint-Boniface—it is a prominent public research university and a member of the U15 group of Canadian research-intensive universities. Founded through the federation of three denominational colleges—Collège de Saint-Boniface, St. John's College, and Manitoba College—the university grew to include other institutions such as the Manitoba Medical College and Wesley College. It began as a degree-granting body and became a teaching university in 1900, expanding with faculties such as Science and Engineering. It was the first Canadian university to award a degree to a Métis student and later admitted and graduated its first female student in the 1880s. Its research contributions include the development of canola oil in the 1970s. The university has produced 99 Rhodes Scholars (as of 2019), as well as Nobel Laureates and Olympic athletes. Notably affiliated with global academic associations, UM is known for academic excellence, graduate programs, and professional education. Its athletics teams, the Manitoba Bisons, compete in U Sports and the Canada West conference. The campus moved from downtown Winnipeg to Fort Garry in the early 20th century to co-locate with the Manitoba Agricultural College, constructing key facilities like Tache Hall and the Administration Building by 1912.