Choosing the right law school is important for students from the quality of the degree and university to the career prospects after graduating. Here we look at five top-ranking law schools in Canada, the courses on offer and tuition fees.
University of Toronto
According to the QS World University Rankings 2023, the top institution to study law in Canada is the University of Toronto. Based in the city of Toronto, the university ranks first in the country and is in the top 20 globally for law. The university is also ranked as a top 20 institution by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022.
The University of Toronto offers a number of law qualifications at the postgraduate level including:
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Global Professional Masters of Law Fees: CAD 71,510.00 (USD 53,881) per year
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Doctor of Juridical Science Fees: CAD 6,210.00 (USD 4,679) per year
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Master of Laws Fees: CAD 46,690.00 (USD 35,180) per year
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Master of Studies in Law Fees: CAD 31,580.00 (USD 23,795) per year
At the undergraduate level, you also have a number of options to choose from including:
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Ethics, Society and Law Fees: CAD 59,320.00 (USD 44,696) per year
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Criminology, Law and Society Fees: CAD 59,320.00 (USD 44,696) per year
Find out more about what other areas of law you could study.
McGill University
Another university that has a reputation for being one of the best law schools in Canada is McGill University. The institution sits in second place in the QS World University Rankings 2022 for law and is a top 50 world university. The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022 places McGill University at number three in Canada, and 44th in the world overall.
McGill University is based in Montreal, Quebec, and has international students from over 150 countries in attendance. With a history stretching back to 1821, the university’s Faculty of Law has academics who are experts in international law and active in legal institutions and drafting the law in Canada.
McGill University offers these main qualifications at the graduate level:
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Master of Laws: General Law Fees: CAD 18,661.48 (USD 14,061) per year
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Master of Laws: Air and Space Law Fees: CAD 27,011.40 (USD 20,352) per year
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Masters of Laws: Comparative Law Fees: CAD 27,011.40 (US$ 20,352) per year
There are also doctoral programmes in the field including comparative law, and air and space law.
Discover more about the benefits of studying for a master’s degree abroad and preparing for your PhD?
University of British Columbia
Located on the west coast of Canada in the city of Vancouver is the University of British Columbia. The university collects the bronze medal and third spot in the QS World University Rankings 2021 by subject for law and is also placed in the top 50 institutions globally. The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021 have a slightly different take, however no less prestigious, placing the institution at number two in Canada for law.
The Peter A. Allard School of Law is well known in Canada as a hub of legal studies and research and is a top-ranked law school in Canada. It offers four major postgraduate programmes:
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Master of Laws: Common Law Fees: CAD 37,422 (USD 27,703)
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Master of Laws (LLM) Fees: CAD 42,534 (USD 31,488)
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Master of Laws (Taxation) Fees: CAD 42,534 (USD 31,488)
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Doctor of Philosophy in Law Fees: CAD 9,313 (USD 6,894)
There is also a Juris Doctor programme on offer at the school, which is a graduate-entry level professional degree that will allow you to practice law in a common law country.
York University
Another one of the best places to study law in Canada is York University. One of Toronto’s proud institutions, the university has over 53,000 students and an international community from over 178 countries. York University is a top-ten institution for law in Canada according to the QS World University Rankings 2023 and enjoys a spot within the top 150 universities worldwide for the subject.
The Osgoode Hall Law School has a number of law-related qualifications and programmes at both undergraduate and postgraduate level, including:
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LLM Fees: CAD 47,256 (USD 34,983)
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International Business Law LLM Fees: CAD 45,763 (USD 33,878)
Don’t forget that some degrees in law are defined as professional degrees, while others are academic and it’s important to know the difference.
University of Alberta
Last but not least in the list of the top-ranked law schools in Canada is the University of Alberta. It’s a university that has over 7,000 international students and over a century’s experience in higher education, having been founded in 1908. The university is highly regarded as one of the top law schools in Canada ranking 9th in the QS World University Rankings 2022 and within the top 200 universities worldwide. The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021 placed the university at number 125 on the planet.
The faculty of law at the university offers a Juris Doctor programme, a doctor of philosophy in law qualification, and a master of Law. If you want to study at the University of Alberta you’ll have to meet a few of the key entry requirements including an IELTS test score of 6.5 with no band lower than 6.0, or the equivalent. You will also need to have completed a related undergraduate qualification in law or an associated subject in order to qualify to study towards a professional LLM degree.
While the institutions mentioned above are regarded as some of the best law schools in Canada there are other highly reputed institutions that you can also explore if you want to study law in Canada:
If you do decide that Canada is your preferred destination to study law, you now have a better idea of what to expect. You may also want to explore some of the other degree options popular with international students in Canada and five fields you can study in the country. If you’re looking for a bit of inspiration you can also read about some of the notable alumni from Canadian universities
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