Manitoba has the smallest dental class in Canada, 29 seats, and at least 25 of them go to Manitobans[2]. You can apply after two years of university, and the final ranking is a simple three-way split: your adjusted GPA, your DAT and your interview count equally[2].
University of Manitoba dental school requirements at a glance
| Program | Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD), four years, in Winnipeg.[2] |
|---|---|
| University study | At least two Fall/Winter sessions with 24+ new, graded credit hours each.[2] |
| Core courses | Ten science half-courses with labs (chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, physics, biology), plus English and humanities/social sciences.[2] |
| GPA | Ranked on an adjusted GPA (AGPA) on a 4.5 scale; a minimum core-course average is set each year for interviews.[2] |
| DAT | Canadian English DAT written by December 1; PAT of at least 14.[2] |
| Casper | Not required.[2] |
| Interview | CDA structured interview with a two-person panel, up to 35 minutes, in Winnipeg.[2] |
| Who can apply | Canadian citizens and permanent residents only.[2] |
| Deadline | January 15 (2026 cycle date).[2] |
Years of university and the AGPA
| Minimum university study | Minimum GPA to apply | Lowest admitted |
|---|---|---|
| 2 years (24+ credit hours each) | Set each year | 3.942 / 4.5 (2023) |
Manitoba asks for at least two regular Fall/Winter sessions of university, each with 24 or more new, graded credit hours, plus the required courses[2].
Applicants are ranked on an Adjusted Grade Point Average (AGPA) on Manitoba’s 4.5 scale, which double-weights your core courses and triple-weights your best year[2]:
| If you have | AGPA formula |
|---|---|
| Two years | (2 × core average + 1 × lowest year + 3 × best year) ÷ 6 |
| Three or more years | (2 × core average + 3 × best year + 1 × each other full year) ÷ 6, 7, 8…; your lowest year drops out |
- A year only counts if it has at least 24 new credit hours from September to April[2].
- Pass/fail grades are excluded from everything[2].
- You can repeat up to six credit hours of core subjects; the higher grade is used only in the core average[2].
Manitoba hasn’t published admitted averages recently. Its last statistics sheet showed a lowest admitted AGPA of 3.942 out of 4.5 in 2023 and 3.966 in 2022[1], so expect to need A-level grades in your core courses.
Required courses
| Course | Amount | Lab | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introductory chemistry 1 and 2 | Two half courses | Yes | U of M CHEM 1100; 1110 and 1120. |
| Organic chemistry 1 and 2 | Two half courses | Yes | CHEM 2100; 2110 and 2122. |
| Biochemistry 1 and 2 | Two half courses | Yes | CHEM 2700; 2710 and 2720. |
| Physics 1 and 2 | Two half courses | Yes | PHYS 1020/1050; 1030/1070. |
| Biology 1 and 2 | Two half courses | Yes | BIOL 1020; 1030. |
| English | One full year or two half courses | – | From an English department. |
| Humanities / social sciences | One full year or two half courses | – | Not applied or pure sciences. |
| Electives | Three full or six half courses | – | Your choice. |
Every full science course must include a lab[2]. Courses taken outside Manitoba may need more than one course to match; check the Transfer Credit Equivalency Database. Being eligible at another dental school doesn’t guarantee eligibility here[2].
DAT requirements
| DAT required | US DAT accepted | DAT scores used | Casper required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yes (Canadian English) | No | Best single result; Reading, Biology, Chemistry and PAT | No |
| Perceptual Ability | |
|---|---|
| Minimum to be considered | 14 |
Canadian DAT sections are scored out of 30. A dash means the school does not publish that figure.
Manitoba requires the Canadian English DAT, written by December 1. Your best single result from the eligible window is used[2]. Applicants with a PAT below 14 on that DAT aren’t considered[2].
For interviews and for the final ranking, Manitoba uses the average of four scores: Reading, Biology, Chemistry and PAT[2]. Note that it uses Biology and Chemistry separately, not the Natural Sciences total, so a weak chemistry score can’t hide behind a strong biology one. Manitoba doesn’t publish admitted DAT averages.
Practise with our free DAT practice tests and the PAT breakdown. If you want a full prep course, try DentPrep.
Casper
Manitoba’s DMD requirements don’t include Casper[2].
Autobiographical sketch
General-category applicants don’t write an essay. Only applicants in the Indigenous and Individual categories submit an autobiographical sketch of up to 800 words[2].
The Manitoba dental interview
| Interview format | Applicants interviewed | Entering class size |
|---|---|---|
| CDA structured interview, two-person panel, up to 35 minutes | 90 (2025) | 29 |
General-category applicants have a CDA structured interview of up to 35 minutes with a two-person panel. All interviews are run by the University of Manitoba (scores from other schools aren’t accepted), and you need government photo ID[2]. In 2025, 90 applicants were interviewed[2]. Indigenous and Individual-category applicants have a non-structured interview of up to 45 minutes[2]. Practise with our interview questions.
How Manitoba ranks applicants
Each part counts for one third.
Ties are broken with more decimal places, then by who applied first. Offers appear in your application portal in mid to late June; you have five business days to accept and pay a $1,000 non-refundable deposit. You can ask for reconsideration within ten business days[2].
Dates (most recent cycle)
- December 1, 2025Last date to have written a valid DAT[2]
- January 15, 2026Application and $100 fee due[2]
- February 1, 2026Transcripts, DAT reports, proof of citizenship, autobiographical sketches[2]
- End of March 2026Interview decisions by email[2]
- End of April 2026Interviews[2]
- Mid to late June 2026Decisions in the application portal[2]
These are the dates Manitoba published for its most recent cycle. Its 2027 dates usually follow the same pattern; check the official page before you plan[2].
Applicant categories and residency
- Manitobans first: at least 25 of the 29 seats go to Manitoba applicants (a Manitoba high school, a Manitoba degree, two years of full-time study in Manitoba, or two years of residence after high school)[2].
- General category: at least 20 seats[2].
- Canadian Indigenous category: up to five seats[2].
- Individual category: up to four seats for applicants with a master’s or PhD or relevant recent work experience[2].
- International students can’t apply to the DMD; internationally trained dentists have a separate program[2].
University of Manitoba dental school admission statistics
Manitoba receives about 200 to 300 applications for its 29 seats: 245 in 2022, 211 in 2023, 261 in 2024 and 306 in 2025, when 90 applicants were interviewed[1][2]. That works out to roughly one seat for every ten applicants, better odds than most Canadian schools, especially if you are a Manitoba resident.
Manitoba: applicants, interviews and admitted students
Each point is one entering class, as reported by the school.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA do you need for Manitoba Dentistry?
Manitoba ranks you on an adjusted GPA out of 4.5 and sets an interview cut-off each year. The lowest admitted AGPA was 3.942 in 2023.[1]
Can you apply to Manitoba Dentistry after two years?
Yes. You need two Fall/Winter sessions with at least 24 new credit hours each, plus the required courses.[2]
What DAT do you need for Manitoba?
The Canadian English DAT with a PAT of at least 14; the average of Reading, Biology, Chemistry and PAT is used.[2]
Does Manitoba require Casper?
No.[2]
Can out-of-province students apply to Manitoba Dentistry?
Yes, but at least 25 of the 29 seats go to Manitoba applicants.[2]
Sources
- University of Manitoba: admission statistics (PDF)
- University of Manitoba: DMD admission requirements
Figures were checked against these sources on November 4, 2026. Dental schools change their rules every cycle, so confirm on the official site before you apply.