PRE-PROFESSIONAL STUDIES

PRE-MEDICINE

Medical doctors are responsible for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. The
University of Winnipeg is an excellent place to fulfil the admission requirements for medicine
at the University of Manitoba or other universities across Canada.

YOUR EDUCATION
Years 1-3: Pre-Medicine at The University of Winnipeg

• Every faculty of medicine has its own entrance requirements. You must consult with the school
where you plan to complete your medical studies to ensure you choose an appropriate set of courses.
• To meet the entrance requirements for medicine at the University of Manitoba, you must complete
a three-year (90 credit hour) degree and satisfy the “Pre-Professional Requirements”- see below.
• You will graduate from UWinnipeg with a bachelor’s degree. While there are recommended areas
of study, there is no one degree or program that is required for entry to medicine.
• The University of Manitoba requires that students take one course to meet their Indigenous Course
content requirement. At this time, the following courses have been approved to meet this
requirement: HIST-1006(3), HIST-1007(3), HIST-2511(3), IS-1016(3), IS-1017(3) and RHET-
2141(3). The University of Manitoba is continually adding courses to this list. If you have a taken a
different course that you feel meets this requirement, please contact the Faculty of Medicine
Admissions Department for clarification.

Years 4-7+: Professional Studies: Medicine

• After you complete your pre-professional studies at UWinnipeg, you will apply for admission to the
faculty of medicine at another university.
• Enrolment in medical programs is limited, and only highly qualified applicants are chosen.
Admission to medicine is based on an outstanding academic record as well as performance on the
Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), the Computer-based Assessment for Sampling
Personal characteristics (Casper); and in a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI).
• A minimum of three additional years of study is required (four at the University of Manitoba). Once
you have finished your degree requirements, you will complete a residency that will take two or
more years, depending on your specialty.

PRE-PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Many students who study Pre-Medicine at UWinnipeg will apply for admission to the Faculty of Medicine at
the University of Manitoba, but you may choose to apply elsewhere. For admission to the Faculty of
Medicine at the University of Manitoba, students must receive a bachelor’s degree by June 30th in the year

Updated August 2024 1 UWINNIPEG.CA

of application with a 3.30 adjusted GPA. Additionally, there are specific dates that students need to have
completed the MCAT and Casper by - see University of Manitoba’s Applicant Bulletin for more information.

While there are no specific course requirements prescribed to enter the Faculty of Medicine at the University
of Manitoba, the American Association of Medical Colleges recommends that students consider taking
courses in the following disciplines: biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, psychology, sociology,
biochemistry and research methods. For details, please see the University of Manitoba Max Rady
College of Medicine webpage and the Applicant Information Bulletin. As admission requirements may
change from year to year, students are encouraged to review the bulletin yearly in anticipation of any
changes that need to be incorporated into their plans.

OTHER QUESTIONS….

What is the MCAT? The Medical College Admissions Test is a standardized test that is administered
periodically during the year, but you must take the test no later than early September of the year preceding
your application. Since seating is limited in early September, examinees are strongly encouraged to register
for test dates in May, June, July or August. The MCAT assesses mastery of basic concepts in biology,
chemistry, and physics, facility with scientific problem solving, and critical thinking and writing skills. You can
take a preparatory course offered by a private company or you may choose to prepare on your own.

Where can I study medicine? You may apply to study medicine at any of the 17 faculties of medicine in
Canada, or apply to medical school in the Unites States or elsewhere. Explore your options in Canada at
www.afmc.ca Note: The University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine now requires a 4-year degree
for entrance to undergraduate medical studies.

When should I plan to graduate? Write the MCAT? Students applying to the University of Manitoba must
be eligible to receive a bachelor’s degree no later than the Spring Convocation of the year in which they
seek admission to the faculty of medicine. Students must write the MCAT no later than early September of
the year preceding application.

What other factors are considered? Applicants will also be asked to complete a situational judgement
test (the CASPer test), participate in multiple mini-interviews, and identify references.

REQUIRED HIGH SCHOOL COURSES

You must meet The University of Winnipeg’s general admission requirements.

In addition, you need to have Chemistry 40S and either Pre-Calculus Mathematics 40S or Applied
Mathematics 40S in order to take courses in some of the recommended areas of study.
Biology 40S, Physics 40S and Pre-Calculus Mathematics 40S are recommended.

What if I don’t have these high school courses? You can still pursue your pre-professional studies, but you
might not be able to enroll in certain courses until you obtain the prerequisites. There are two ways you can
do this here: take “Foundation” courses at UWinnipeg that are equivalent to high school-level math and
science (MATH-0041 & MATH-0042; CHEM-0100) or complete high school courses at The Collegiate.

program at the University of Manitoba afterwards.

HOW TO APPLY
(In any case where the University’s Academic
For details on application requirements and Calendar and this factsheet differ, the current
deadlines, and to apply online to UWinnipeg, Calendar takes precedence.)
please visit: uwinnipeg.ca/apply.
Reminder: Admission to The University of CONTACT US
Winnipeg does not guarantee admission to
medicine. Academic Advising
International students: You are welcome to take P: 204.786.9257
the pre-professional courses at UWinnipeg, but E: [email protected]
you are not eligible to apply to the medicine