Sick Note for University of Manitoba Exam Deferral: What You Need

Getting a Sick Note for a University of Manitoba Exam Deferral

You're sick on exam day. The last thing you want to deal with is paperwork — but the University of Manitoba has specific requirements for exam deferrals. Here's your complete guide.

U of M's Deferred Exam Policy (2025–2026 Academic Year)

The University of Manitoba allows exam deferrals for legitimate medical reasons, but the process varies by faculty:

General Requirements (all faculties):

• Medical documentation must be obtained on or before the date of the missed exam


• Submit your deferral application within 48 hours of the missed exam (some faculties allow 72 hours)


• Documentation must come from a licensed physician (MD) — nurse practitioners are accepted by some faculties


• The deferred exam is typically written during the next deferred exam period

Faculty-Specific Requirements

Faculty of Arts:

• 48-hour submission deadline


• Standard medical note accepted


• Contact: arts_undergraduate@umanitoba.ca

• 48-hour deadline


• Must include specific dates of incapacity


• Contact: sci_undergrad@umanitoba.ca

• 48-hour deadline (strictly enforced)


• May require the Asper-specific medical form


• Contact: asper_undergrad@umanitoba.ca

• 72-hour deadline


• Documentation must mention inability to write exams specifically


• Contact: engineering@umanitoba.ca

• 48-hour deadline


• Additional requirements for clinical placement absences


• Contact your specific program office

• 48-hour deadline


• Practicum absences have separate documentation requirements


• Contact: education@umanitoba.ca

What Medical Documentation Does U of M Accept?

Your sick note must include:

✅ Required:

• Date of the medical consultation


• Confirmation that you were medically unable to write the exam


• Specific dates of incapacity (must include the exam date)


• Physician's full name and credentials


• Physician's signature (electronic accepted)


• CPSM registration number (for Manitoba physicians)

• Your specific diagnosis


• Detailed symptom description


• Treatment plan


• Hospital records

The Timing Crunch During Finals

U of M finals typically run in December and April. During these periods:

• U of M Health Services (Bannatyne campus): 2–3 hour waits, often at capacity


• Fort Garry campus area clinics: Overwhelmed with student demand


• Pembina Highway walk-ins: 3+ hour waits during exam season


• Your family doctor: Likely booked 3–5 days out

Getting Documentation Online

MedLetter provides medical documentation that meets U of M's requirements:

What's included:

• Date of consultation (same day as your request)


• Confirmation of medical inability to attend exam


• Specific dates of incapacity


• CPSM-registered physician's name, registration number, and signature


• Official medical letterhead

Cost: $49 (vs. free at U of M Health Services, but saving 2–3 hours during the most stressful week of the semester)

Common Mistakes That Get U of M Deferrals Denied

1. Missing the 48-hour deadline — This is the #1 reason for denial
2. Documentation dated after the exam — Must be dated on or before exam day
3. Using HealthLinks (811) — They provide advice, not documentation
4. Incomplete documentation — Missing physician credentials or dates
5. Not submitting through Aurora — Emailing your professor isn't sufficient for finals

What About Midterms?

Midterm deferrals at U of M are handled by individual instructors, not centrally:

• Email your professor BEFORE the midterm if possible


• Provide documentation within 48 hours


• The professor decides whether to offer a makeup, reweight, or deferred midterm


• If the professor is unresponsive, contact your faculty's undergraduate office

University of Winnipeg Students

If you're at the University of Winnipeg rather than U of M:

• Similar documentation requirements


• Submit through WebAdvisor


• Contact the Registrar's Office: 204-786-9844


• Deadline is typically 48 hours

Red River College Polytechnic Students

Red River has its own process:

• Contact your program coordinator directly


• Documentation requirements vary by program


• Health & safety programs may have stricter requirements


• Student Services: 204-632-2327

Key Takeaway

U of M exam deferrals require medical documentation submitted within 48 hours — during the exact time when every clinic in Winnipeg is overwhelmed with students. Getting documentation online saves critical hours and ensures you meet the deadline. MedLetter provides U of M-compliant documentation same-day from CPSM-registered physicians, so you can focus on recovering instead of sitting in a waiting room.