Studying law in Canada will give you access to career benefits such as quality education, globally recognised certificates and the opportunity to connect with professionals. Additionally, you gain a wide range of skills that you can apply across disciplines and industries. Furthermore, Canada offers a unique and diverse environment which makes it easier for students from other countries to integrate.
You need to have the right qualifications and meet the eligibility criteria before you can study law in Canada. In Canada, you need to have an undergraduate degree and good grades to study law. Additionally, there are compulsory requirements that you must fulfil before you can gain admission to study law in Canada.
In this piece, I will discuss the basic admission requirements that are needed for studying law in Canada.
Requirements for Studying Law in Canada
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Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree
In Canada, you need to have a bachelor’s degree before you can study law. You need to get a pre-law education before you go to law school. Therefore, you should have a three-four undergraduate degrees. Most universities prefer students to have a bachelor’s degree in courses such as political science, criminal justice, history and philosophy. However, some universities allow you to have an undergraduate degree irrespective of the field.
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Have a good GPA
You need to have good grades in your undergraduate degree and have a good GPA. Therefore, the minimum score required is 3.0. Additionally, you should engage in relevant extracurricular activities while studying.
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Academic Transcript
You need to submit your academic transcripts during your application. Your transcripts should contain all the courses you studied as well as the grades. Additionally, your transcript must be submitted in the English Language.
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Write the LSAT
The Law School Admission Test(LSAT) is a compulsory test that every applicant must take. It is a standardized test that is used to screen law school candidates. The minimum score for most schools is between 120-180. However, this score varies across different schools. Therefore, you need to make sure that you verify the required score for the school you are applying to.
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Letters of Recommendation
You need to have at least three recommendation letters. It should consist of 2 academic and 1 professional letter. These letters must be obtained from an employer or a previous lecturer. Therefore, recommendation letters from a friend or family will be rejected.
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Personal Statement
You need to write a personal statement. This is an opportunity to discuss your aspirations and show the admissions committee why you would make a good lawyer. Additionally, you should explain what your career aspirations are, and how your academic and personal history has prepared them for this field of study.
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English Language Requirements
International students are required to take an English Language Proficiency Test. Different universities have the preferred test that they use for screening. The minimum cut-off marks for these tests are TOEFL: 80-90 and IELTS: 7.0. However, you need to verify from your school of interest to know the test you can take.
How to Apply
Firstly, you should research and find out the law school that you would like to apply to in Canada. Secondly, you have to fill out an application form online. You need to submit all the necessary documents that are required by the school before you submit your application. Additionally, you may be required to pay an application fee before submitting your application.
Duration
The duration for studying law in Canada is three years. You will obtain a Juris Doctor (JD) degree. Additionally, an LLM(Master of Laws) takes one to two years to complete.
Tuition Fees
The tuition fee for studying law in Canada depends on the university you choose to pursue your law education. Additionally, International students pay higher tuition fees. Therefore, the average tuition fee for studying law in Canada is between $12,000 to $40,000 annually.
Universities in Canada that offer Law
1. Cape Breton University, Sydney, Nova Scotia
2. Royal Roads University, Victoria, British Columbia
3. University of Guelph-Humber, Toronto, Ontario
4. Capilano University, North Vancouver, British Columbia
5. Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario
6. Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, British Columbia
7. Georgian College, Barrie, Ontario
8. Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario
9. University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick
10. Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario
11. Ontario Tech University, Oshawa, Ontario
12. University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
13. University of the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford, British Columbia
14. MacEwan University, Edmonton, Alberta
15. St. Lawrence College, Kingston, Ontario
16. University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario
17. Centennial College, Toronto, Ontario
18. Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario
19. Mount Allison University, Sackville, New Brunswick
20. Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia
21. University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario
22. Camosun College, Victoria, British Columbia
23. Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario
24. University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba
25. Nipissing University, North Bay, Ontario
26. Western University (Ontario), London, Ontario
27. King’s University College, London, Ontario
28. Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario
29. University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario
30. University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan
31. Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario
32. McGill University, Montreal, Quebec
33. University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia
34. Memorial University of Newfoundland, Newfoundland and Labrador
35. University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario
36. Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo, British Columbia
37. The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia
38. University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta
39. Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia
40. Algoma University, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
41. University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
42. Bishop’s University, Sherbrooke, Quebec
In Conclusion, you need to verify the requirements for the university of your choice before you make your application. Additionally, you should make your applications early enough before the deadline. This is to enable you to have a chance of getting admitted. Feel free to reach out to us for further inquiries or assistance.
Good luck!