Everything International Students Need to Know About Studying in Manitoba

Are you curious if Manitoba is the right place for you to study in? There’s a lot about the province that makes it unique. It’s home to world-class post-secondary institutions with affordable tuition. Plus, the cost of living in Manitoba for international students (on top of housing and transportation) is lower than other major Canadian cities.

However, there are many other factors that come into deciding whether Manitoba is right for you, including job market prospects, top schools, immigration programs, and what the province has to offer. Want to learn more? Let’s dive in.

What is Living in the Province of Manitoba Like?

Geography

One of Canada’s prairie provinces, Manitoba is full of open grasslands and aspen, mixed forests, and boreal and bush tundra.

Weather and Climate

Manitoba has an extreme and relatively dry climate. Seasonal weather changes dramatically, with winters typically being very cold and unpredictable.

What are the Largest Cities in Manitoba?

The largest cities in Manitoba are:

Winnipeg - The capital of Manitoba, Winnipeg stands on Treaty 1 territory and the traditional territory of Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene Peoples, and the homeland of the Métis Nation. At its heart are The Forks, a historic river intersection. The city is known for its many annual festivals and its professional sports leagues.

Brandon - Known as Canada’s “Wheat City”, Brandon is famous for its agriculture.

Steinbach - Steinbach has an agricultural-focused economy, branching recently into financial services, automobile sales, tourism, retail, and manufacturing.

Winkler - Winkler is the biggest city in the Pembina Valley and is a centre of commerce, agriculture, and industry for the region.

What are the Best Schools in Manitoba for International Students?

Many universities in Manitoba have appeared on Maclean’s renowned Top University rankings for 2023, which are based on factors related to students, reputation, faculty, student support, and resources. The best universities in Manitoba for international students, according to Maclean’s, are:

University of Manitoba - Ranked 25th for Best Overall, 25th for Highest Quality, 25th for Most Innovative, and 24th for Leaders of Tomorrow. Located in Winnipeg, University of Manitoba is the province’s only research-intensive university. It is known for innovative teaching and research excellence.

University of Winnipeg - Ranked 35th for Best Overall, 33rd for Highest Quality, 33rd for Most Innovative, and 42nd for Leaders of Tomorrow. Located in Winnipeg, this public research university is known for its small class sizes, academic leadership, and dedication to Indigenous inclusion.

Brandon University - Ranked 44th for Best Overall, 44th for Highest Quality, 47th for Most Innovative, and 48th for Leaders of Tomorrow. Located in Brandon, it has a predominantly liberal arts and sciences focus.

Other popular universities in Manitoba for international students include:

Canadian Mennonite University - Located in Winnipeg, this private Mennonite university offers a wide range of academic programs within a vibrant Christian community.

Université de Saint-Boniface - Located in Winnipeg, Université de Saint-Boniface is a French-language university known for innovative research and outstanding teaching.

The popular colleges in Manitoba for international students are:

Assiniboine Community College - Located in Brandon, Assiniboine is a community college known for quality programming with satellite campuses in Brandon, Winnipeg, and Dauphin.

International College of Manitoba (ICM) - Located in the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, ICM provides foundational pathway programs equivalent to first year university that allow students to transition seamlessly to second year at the University of Manitoba.

Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology - Located in Winnipeg, Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology operates as a hybrid institution offering technical training for both post-secondary and high school students.

Red River College - Located in Winnipeg, Red River College is the largest applied learning and applied research institution in Manitoba.

You may be curious about Manitoba student visa requirements. Depending on where you’re coming from and how long you will be studying in Manitoba, the provincial government may require one or all of these documents:

• An Electronic Travel Authorization

• A Temporary Resident Visa

• A Study Permit

For more information, visit the Government of Manitoba’s international student documentation page.

What is The Population of Manitoba Like?

Manitoba has a population of 1.3 million, with most people living in the Southernmost portion of the province. Annually, there are over 19,800 international students from 80 different countries who come to the province to study.

There are over 290,000 visible minorities in Manitoba. The largest visible minority groups are South Asian, followed by Chinese, Black, and Filipino. Historically, the majority of visible minorities in Manitoba have resided in Winnipeg.

There are 237,000 Indigenous peoples in Manitoba. According to Statistics Canada, Winnipeg has consistently had the largest number of indigenous people, more than any other city in the country.

What Can International Students do on Weekends in Manitoba?

If you decide to study in Manitoba, don’t forget to check out some of the province’s most popular sights:

1. The Forks Market - Located in downtown Winnipeg, this historic meeting place is known for its eclectic food hall and selection of local makers and shops.
   
   

   

   
   

2. Wapusk National Park - Derived from the Cree word for polar bear, this national park is home to Cape Churchill, which is known for being the best place in the world to see and photograph polar bears.
   
   

   

3. Manitoba Museum - Located in Winnipeg, the Manitoba Museum houses more than 2.9 million artifacts and specimens and is the province’s largest not-for-profit institution for heritage and science education.
   
   

   

   
   

4. Assiniboine Park - Situated along the river of the same name, this expansive Winnipeg park is home to other popular sites like the Assiniboine Park Zoo and the Leo Mol Sculpture Garden.
   

   

   
   

5. Winnipeg Art Gallery - Recognized as one of Canada’s top art museums, the Winnipeg Art Gallery houses the world’s largest public Inuit art collection.
   
   

   

What is Manitoba’s Job Market and Local Economy Like?

Here’s an overview of what Manitoba’s job market is projected to look like for the next five years, according to the Government of Manitoba’s Labour Market Outlook for 2022 - 2026.

Regions With Largest Employment and Job Opportunities

• Winnipeg - 75,800 job openings

• Southeast - 12,900 job openings

• North Central and South Central - 10,900 job openings

• Southwest - 7,200 job openings

Top Industries Offering Employment

The five industry groups in Manitoba that will be the source of over 50% of job openings are:

1. Healthcare and Social Assistance

2. Wholesale and Retail Trade

3. Educational Services

4. Public Administration

5. Construction

The Top 10 Job Skills Required by Manitoba Employers

1. Speaking

2. Active Listening

3. Reading Comprehension

4. Critical Thinking

5. Monitoring

6. Social Perceptiveness

7. Coordination

8. Judgment and Decision Making

9. Service Orientation

10. Time Management

Is it Easy for International Students to Get Permanent Residency in Manitoba?

Yes, as long as you are able to meet the requirements for the immigration program you are applying for.

Annually, an average of 15,700 people become permanent residents in Manitoba (2015-2022), with 20,400 people receiving permanent residency in 2022.

If you’re curious about how to get PR in Manitoba after you study, there are three streams offered by the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) available to you:

• International Education - An accelerated program for recent international graduates who meet labour market requirements.

• Skilled Worker - For international workers with experience and skills that meet local labour market requirements.

• Business Investor - For investors and entrepreneurs interested in starting or purchasing a business in Manitoba.

Lastly, be sure to educate yourself on immigration fraud. If you are ever contacted with urgency and demands for money, always contact Immigration Services rather than acting immediately. Plus, don’t forget to take advantage of the free immigration fraud resources and workshops at your university’s international student services.

Is Manitoba the Right Choice for International Students?

We hope you’ve found the information you need to help you decide if studying in Manitoba is right for you.

Still have questions about studying in Canada as an international student? IDP Education Canada’s education counsellors can help you on everything from choosing the right courses to making sure your application is in the best shape possible. Book a free chat here.

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