PhD in Law In Canada: Best Doctorate Degrees & Top Universities

A PhD in Law is a great prospect for students who have completed their graduate studies and are looking to take up legal research as the next step in their career. Canadian education system is known for delivering top-quality education and best-in-class career opportunities so you will benefit from excellent resources if you pursue your phd from there.

Why pursue a PhD in Law from Canada?

• Great compensation: An international student of the faculty of law at some of the best law studies universities in Canada would end up earning much more than what they could in their home country.

• A well-developed legal system: Canada is a well-developed country characterised by a strong judicial system with great legal institutions in place. It becomes a lifetime opportunity for international students to practice their legal profession in this well-developed system.

• Home to top-ranking universities: Several universities of Canada are recognised as some of the best for pursuing legal studies globally, with 3 universities being ranked under 100 in the QS World Rankings. 

List of Top Universities for PhD in Law in Canada

Here is a list for all students of legal studies who are either pursuing their postgraduate degree or have already completed it. This will help aspirants who are now looking at PhD in law options in Canada—

University of Toronto (QS World Ranking 17)

The University of Toronto has a well-established reputation globally. The postdoctoral study in law encourages students to dive deeper into the subject and take up original research work that will help them gain further insights into the legal field.

After successfully completing the SJD Program (Doctor of Juridical Science) from the university, students go on to work in various fields like the private and public sector, academics, etc.

Eligibility requirements:

• Students holding a Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Master of Laws (LLM), or a Juris Doctor (JD) from a recognised university have showcased an excellent academic track record with a minimum standing of University of Toronto Grade B+ or equivalent
• Students who have demonstrated an ability to produce high-level thought and research through substantive writing.
• As per the degree requirements, students are supposed to submit a dissertation of about 90,000 to 100,000 words and pass an oral exam to complete the PhD successfully. The university also offers various scholarship and financial aid opportunities to international students that are worth exploring.

The application process is to be followed on the official website through the SGS Application Management System.

McGill University (QS World Ranking 25)

Based in the Quebec province, McGill University broadly offers three options in PhD in Law at the university: Doctoral of Civil Law – Law, Doctoral of Civil Law – Comparative Law, and Doctor of Civil Law – Air and Space Law. The application process is completely based on the website and the interlinked application portal therein. 

This program is highly selective, with a strength of about 70 highly intellectual researchers focused on nurturing their knowledge, teaching supervision, and leadership qualities. By the end of the program, an original thesis has to be submitted by every student as a part of the program requirements.

The faculty of law at McGill University is highly committed to building a strong community of highly qualified academicians in the field of law and legal studies. Driven by the same goal, the university invites its doctoral students to take part in various faculty and graduate seminars to help them explore the world of law. 

This program prepares its students well to work in think tanks, private organisations, governance roles, academic jobs, and international organisations.

University of British Columbia (QS World Ranking 42)

Having established holistic political science and legal studies faculties over the years, the University of British Columbia offers one of the best structured and delivered PhD in Law in Canada.

The program requires students to pass comprehensive exams, complete their course work within the deadlines, present and defend their dissertation proposal and also come up with a book-length dissertation that adds value to the existing literature in legal studies.

Every faculty member is approachable and offers great support and guidance to the distinguished PhD students throughout the program duration. 

All prospective international students have to complete their application on the program website and upload the required documents well within the application deadline. The deadline usually falls in the month of December.

After the PhD, the most common career pathways include policy development, legal research in legal theory and other related fields, the practice of law in courts and other suitable judicial institutions, academia, etc.

University of Montreal (QS World Ranking 111)

This university has a firm hold on new and disruptive tools of techniques of imparting education and encouraging research that makes a positive contribution to the legal discipline. Being based in a French-speaking region, it requires students to have fluency in French and English.

One unique aspect of this PhD in Law is that it offers the co-supervision of not one but two learned professors who help their students every step of the way. The PhD structure is such that it first asks students to clear exams of the subjects that they wish to then write a thesis on.

There are broadly two options:

• PhD in Law General Option that requires students to be able to complete their research project and share its results clearly and persuasively.
• PhD in Innovation, Science, Technology and Law Option that helps students acquire specialised knowledge about the role of law in promoting science and new technologies, especially in new and emerging economies of the world.

The eligibility criteria demand an LLM degree from a deemed university with an average GPA of 3.3 out of 4.3 or its equivalent. Additionally, the application procedure is supposed to be followed on the program website of the University.

Western University (QS World Ranking 294)

The PhD program in Law at the Western University is focused on equipping high-calibre legal researchers with the right tools and techniques to shape them into law professionals with unmatched knowledge and skills. This program positions its students well to take on roles in the government sector, private sector, academia, and legal policymaking.

Throughout the different terms, the students will be asked to submit a dissertation, defend it orally in front of the advisory committee, and enlist the table of contents and bibliography before submitting the final draft. After completing the first year, researchers also have to deliver at least one talk as part of the faculty every year.

All applicants should read the specific requirements for the course in detail on the Graduate Program Admissions page, clearly enlisted on the PhD program’s webpage.

Conclusion

So, Canada should be at the top of the list for all PhD in Law aspirants who wish to acquire advanced tools and techniques in the legal studies field.  Furthermore, you should start planning your study abroad journey from an early stage to meet all the deadlines in time. 

Need further information to get started? Visit Leap Scholar and get exploring the plethora of options available for your higher studies abroad! 

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