Why Study in Winnipeg?

Sometimes people ask, “why would I study in Winnipeg?” Of course those of us who’ve spent any amount of time here know the answer is easy: Winnipeg is the biggest small city you’ll live in. The city has a certain cool to it (and not just because of the cold, cold winters!). It’s a city full of arts and culture, festivals and entertainment, amazing city parks and nature on our doorstep and in any direction you go, major league sports teams, and of course top-notch educational institutions.

Big cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal draw the bulk of the interest of people near and far when they think of Canada, while Winnipeg flies under the radar on the world stage (just how we like it). However, with Lonely Planet naming Manitoba the Top 10 Regions on its 2019 Best in Travel List, Winnipeg (and the rest of our beautiful province) has been thrust into the spotlight. But the city in the heart of Canada is so much more than just a travel destination; Winnipeg is the ideal destination if you want to study in Canada.

Winnipeg provides opportunities to succeed

“People are no longer asking where Winnipeg is; they’re talking about all the things that are happening here,” says Danya Spiring, President & CEO of Economic Development Winnipeg in their 2018 Annual Report.

We know success is important to those considering any form of tertiary education – whether it’s earning their first university experience, or pursuing a post-degree diploma to add the finishing touches to a longer educational journey, particularly for those considering studying abroad. Winnipeg has a strong labour market that offers opportunities for long-term career growth in a city that also offers a great quality of life, and is an affordable place to live and raise a family. That translates in great opportunities for recent grads looking to establish themselves and their families. But that’s not just our perspective as locals.

What Our Students Say

We asked some of our current students, why they chose to study at UWinnipeg and what they love about Winnipeg.

“I like the warmth of the city,” says Violet Abdul moved from Abudja, the federal capital of Nigeria in December 2019. Violet relocated to Winnipeg to pursue a Human Resource Management Diploma from UWinnipeg PACE. “Winnipeg has a moderate sized population so it’s not congested. Anytime you go out shopping or visiting a fun spot, you’re most likely going to run into someone you know. The residents are kind and polite, even to a fault.”

Project Management Diploma student Ramandeep Singh agrees. Originally from New Delhi, India, Ramandeep has also lived in London, UK, before moving to Winnipeg. “What I like about Winnipeg is that is a relaxed city,” he says, who adds that the advantage of studying at a downtown campus means that he can live in the heart of the city and walk to school every day.

“If you like a smaller city-like environment, like me, you will enjoy the ambience and most especially the cost of living in Winnipeg, it is very affordable,” says Violet. “As a student you can plan and live comfortably within a low budget,” says Violet, who moved here with her family, including three children between the ages of five and 11.

Winnipeg also has a lot of offer its residents when they’re not busy working or hitting the books for their programs of study. With festivals year round, you can experience Winnipeg’s distinct seasons while enjoying the rich cultural heritage and artistic talents of the citizens. From the Festival du Voygeur celebrating Manitoba’s francophone roots and culture during the depths of the Manitoban winter in February, to the Winnipeg Folk Festival showcasing local and international musical talent under the baking summer sun of July, there is something for everyone.

“During summer I enjoyed quite a few festivals. Even though I’m not very familiar with Canadian bands and songs, I enjoyed volunteering at Winnipeg Folk Festival. People are very friendly at such festivals,” says Ramandeep.

UWinnipeg harnesses cultural diversity

“Studying in Winnipeg and PACE has been really nice. It has been more beneficial for my personal and professional growth than I expected or imagined. All the courses in PACE include focus on developing cultural insights into the Canadian mosaic, developing emotional quotient, soft skills, and similar subjects,” says Ramandeep.

The quality of programs at UWinnipeg PACE is another great reason to choose Winnipeg when considering studying in Canada. Violet says she chose UWinnipeg because it was the only institution offering the program she was interested in and able to offer her two credentials at the end of 1 year of study - the Management Certificate and a Human Resource Management Diploma.

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The diversity of the residents of Winnipeg is amplified in classrooms at UWinnipeg PACE. Residents in the city speak more than 100 different languages and represent cultural groups from near and far. The city also has a rich local history and is located on the traditional territories of the Anishinaabeg, Ininiwak, and Nakota Nations, and the homeland of the Métis Nation, what is known as Treaty 1 Territory.

“What I like most about studying in Winnipeg is that I can learn about so many different cultures,” says Jessica Daneluz Mata. “In my class we have people from something like 14 different countries.”

Whether it’s in the classroom or around the city, Jessica says you get the chance to meet different people, learn about different cultures, and share about your own culture.

“People here are very friendly and willing to help you. I recommend,” she says.

Jessica says she chose to study in Winnipeg “because it was a well-known university, that had the program I was looking for, in a period that worked great for me, and, well, it's downtown.”

Without a car, Jessica says she can still get pretty much everywhere in the city and can find most of what she needs close to campus.

“Around the campus I can find places to eat, to shop, post office, coffee shops, and more. Plus, there are skywalks all over [downtown], so I don't have to walk around in the cold. It just makes life easier,” she says.

Jessica only moved to Winnipeg in September 2019 from Curitiba, Brazil to start the Human Resource Management Diploma but she’s already been making the most of all the events and sights around town.

“I know I still have a lot to see around the town, but so far it has been fun to walk around town, watch games, visit museums and walk around The Forks area,” she says.

The Hard Stats

Economic Development Winnipeg highlights a number of measures where Winnipeg scores well compared to other cities in Canada for affordability and economic prospects, all of which are good news for students and soon-to-be graduates entering the local workforce. People considering studying in Canada's bigger cities have to budget much more to account for cost of living, while Winnipeg offers a distinct edge:

• Manitoba has among the lowest rental and housing costs in Canada, with average housing costs that are nearly 42% lower than the Canadian average.
• Outside of Quebec, Winnipeg has the lowest child care costs.
• In 2018, Winnipeg ranked 2nd in GDP growth out of 13 Canadian metropolitan cities.
• Winnipeg’s labour market outlook is positive, with the economy anticipated to generate more than 11,200 net new jobs in 2018-19.

For those thinking of studying in Canada, choosing to study at The University Winnipeg offers the best of all worlds. With industry-aligned, hands-on diploma programs in high-growth fields through PACE, a downtown campus in the heart of Canada, exceptional teaching quality, and engaging student life activities in a world-class city, students can make the most of time both in and out of the classroom.

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Top photo supplied courtesy of Jessica Daneluz Mata.
Middle photo supplied courtesy of Violet Abdul.