Law Colleges In Canada 2022: Top Schools For International Students

Canada is a renowned study destination housing numerous top-grade law colleges. With 70+ law colleges in Canada offering more than 240 courses, there is a broad availability for students to brighten their intellectual interests and work on research projects. 

Specifically, Canadian law degrees are acknowledged widely. The country boasts some of the top-ranked global universities, offering open career opportunities to law students. Canadian universities offer law courses at different study levels, including undergraduate, postgraduate, certificate and diploma programmes.If you are keen on pursuing a degree in law from Canada, make sure to go through the following sections. We have included some of the top law colleges in Canada along with their fees and eligibility.

Difference Between Public & Private Universities in Canada for Law Studies

Candidates searching for the best law schools in Canada might have come across the names of several private and public institutions. The major difference between them is that a private college is run by individuals or a private entity. On the other hand, public colleges are funded and run by the Canadian government. Because private colleges acquire funding from private individuals/organisations, the tuition fee is costlier. They also offer limited programmes as compared to public colleges. 

Fees for Studying Law in Canada

The average fee for studying for a law degree in Canada ranges between CAD 6,000 – CAD 28,000 per year. The tuition fee is subject to change, depending upon the course and university. Here is an overview of fees for a bachelor’s in law across top Canadian colleges:

Name of college	Total Fees
University of Toronto	CAD 37,835
McGill University	CAD 42,392
University of British Columbia	CAD 37,360
University of Alberta	CAD 10,823
University of Montreal	CAD 24,215

Law aspirants must note that Canada offers law courses for international students over two disciplines, namely Juris Doctor (JD) or an LLM. Both these disciplines have thesis and non-thesis options. 

Top Law Colleges In Canada & Their Eligibility

Here is a list of top Canadian law colleges along with their eligibility criteria:

University of Toronto

JD Programme

The JD course is a second-entry programme. Hence, applicants must have completed some years of undergraduate education to apply.

LLM & PhD

The graduate programme consists of degrees like LLM, MSL and doctorate level. Candidates applying for a graduate programme in law must have completed law degrees at an equivalent level.

McGill University

LLM

Students must hold an LLB Honours degree. A GPA of 3.2 out of 4.0 is mandatory to apply for LLM.International students also have to provide English proficiency test scores.

University of British Columbia

LLM

Candidates must have a minimum bachelor’s score of 65%. Applicants are also required to hold a Juris Doctor (JD) or Bachelor of Law degree.

York University

LLM & PhDApplicants must provide proof of English language proficiency and complete academic records. In addition, the candidate must hold an average grade of ‘B’ or higher. 

University of Victoria 

LLM

Candidates must secure at least 60% of their Bachelor’s degree. It is also necessary for applicants to submit an IELTS score of not less than 7.0 band.

Top Corporate Law Colleges In Canada & Their Eligibility

Here are the best law colleges in Canada offering corporate law degrees. Applicants who want to pursue a specialisation in business or commercial law can consider applying to these colleges:

• University of Toronto
• York University
• Université de Montréal
• Laval University 
• Queen’s University
• University of British Columbia
• St. Lawrence College

A corporate law degree focuses on providing knowledge regarding Canadian and international business law issues. So, the eligibility requirements to study business law are the same as the LLM programme in most universities.

Process for Applying to Law Colleges in Canada

Follow these steps to apply for law schools in Canada:

Step 1: Prepare all the essential documents. These should include an SOP, recommendation letter and academic results as well.

Step 2: Check the specific admission requirements for different universities. 

Step 3: Fill in the application form and submit it with all the correct information. Make sure to double-check the entered data.

Step 4: Wait for the admission letter. Private universities may ask you to submit the fee for semester 1. Pay the fee and complete the necessary admission-related formalities.

Step 5: After obtaining acceptance from a Canadian law college, apply for a visa. Applicants must carry all the necessary documents needed to apply for a student visa. Upon receiving the visa, a student is all set to immigrate to Canada.

Scope of Law Degrees in Canada

With a law degree, students can work in different law sectors, such as data analytics, data scientist, patent attorney, and more. After studying at one of the top law colleges in Canada, students can enter into a diversified market segment, including:

• Sole practitioners
• Large firms
• Medium-sized firms
• In-house counsel
• Government and non-profit organisations, etc.

The below table represents the average annual salaries for some of the law graduates:

Law graduates	Average annual salary
Law clerk	CAD 52,800
Legal assistant	CAD 61,900
Associate	CAD 114,000
Lawyer	CAD 200,000
Solicitor	CAD 116,940

Conclusion

With numerous top-grade law colleges in Canada, offering extensive thesis and research-based courses, the scope of a law graduate is enormous. The company’s extensive undertaking of international students makes it easy for law aspirants to find a job here. More importantly, lawyers are categorised as skilled workers in Canada. Hence, obtaining a PR also becomes relatively easy.