For students planning to study law in Canada and looking for the Best Law Schools In Canada, this article provides a comprehensive list of the top best universities in Canada to which they can apply.
The rankings are based on data from Times Higher Education Rankings, QS Ranking for Law and Legal Studies, and each institution’s global reputation and academic quality.
Going to one of the best law schools in Canada should be your top priority as a law student or aspirant. This is because these top-tier law schools in Canada will prepare you for a successful legal career after graduation.
The best universities in Canada typically offer dual degree options, preparing students for both Canadian and American laws.
According to QS World Rankings, Canadian universities are ranked among the best law schools in the world due to the country’s friendly people, stunning natural beauty, and continuous academic growth and development.
Although the majority of academic institutions offering law courses are concentrated in the urban areas of Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver, there is a diverse range of universities offering law courses throughout Canada.
What is A Law School?
According to Wikipedia, a law school is a citadel of learning that specializes in legal education, this is A must undergo an education process to become a lawyer within a given jurisdiction.
The law school is otherwise called “law center or college of law”. The programs you are to undergo at law school in Canada will take you 3 years to complete.
Why Study Law In Canada
Canada is a great place to study law. Especially if you are lucky to study in any of the top law schools in Canada that we have mentioned.
It offers many of the same benefits as the United States, such as lower tuition fees, smaller class sizes, and a more relaxed atmosphere. It also has some distinct benefits, such as:
- A strong public healthcare system that allows students to focus on their studies without worrying about the cost of treatment.
- A stable political system that allows students to focus on their studies without worrying about instability affecting their future careers.
- A wide range of options for post-graduate work opportunities in both Canada and abroad.
Most Canadian law schools offer more than 240 programs, with specializations in civil law, social & legal studies, justice & society, Aboriginal Law, Business Law, Bankruptcy and Insolvency, Commercial Law, Constitutional Law, Communications and Media Law, Criminal Law, Corporate Law, and so on.
Benefits Of Studying Law In Canada
There are numerous advantages to studying law in Canada. Some of the advantages are listed below.
1. When you study law in Canada, you are studying in a developed environment where you will be equipped with legal knowledge and legal practical skills that will allow you to stand tall in the legal world.
2. A degree from a Canadian law school is widely recognized around the world, so you can easily find work after graduation anywhere.
3. Canadian law degrees cover a wide range of specializations, such as cyberspace law, forest law, indigenous legal traditions, and so on.
4. There are numerous job opportunities for lawyers in Canada.
5. Canada’s post-graduation work permit allows students to stay in the country after finishing their studies and looking for work.
6. The salary after pursuing a degree from a law college in Canada is very huge.
Below is The List of Best Law Schools in Canada
- University of Toronto
- McGill University
- University of British Columbia (UBC)
- York University
- University of Montreal
- University of Ottawa
- University of Victoria
- Carleton University
- Dalhousie University
- Laval University
University of Toronto
Province: Toronto, Ontario.
Tuition: Undergraduate tuition and fees cost 33,320 Canadian dollars (CAD) for Canadian students and 44,690 Canadian dollars for international students, paid annually.
The University of Toronto is well-known throughout the world for its research and academic excellence. As a result, admission to UToronto’s law school is extremely difficult, as it is one of Canada’s most selective law schools, with an Acceptance Rate of 43%.
One of the University of Toronto’s primary goals is to advance education around the world. It is a place where people from various fields can collaborate and the general public can participate.
People who visit “UToronto” frequently comment on how much they enjoy the atmosphere. This is because a top-tier university has a unique buzz: students begin and advance their careers; researchers share new information and ideas, and well-known thinkers discuss their ideas with the public.
Many people consider the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Law to be one of the best law schools in Canada. And we have no doubts about this school’s reputation. If you’re looking for one of the best law schools in Canada, this one should be a strong contender.
McGill University
Province: Montreal, Quebec.
Tuition: Local tuition is 2,391 CAD, Domestic tuition is 7,402 CAD, and International tuition is 29,200 CAD.
The University of McGill is widely regarded as having one of the best law schools in Canada, second only to UToronto, with an Acceptance Rate of 46.3%.
Some of the world’s best lawyers come to McGill Law to study, teach and conduct groundbreaking research in an environment that values many different legal traditions.
Lawyers who attended McGill Law School are better off than those who did not. They can deal with massive amounts of data, deal with complexity, and solve legal problems in fields that change rapidly and have neither one right answer nor a few.
A McGill University lawyer can collaborate with lawyers from common law provinces, England, and the United States, as well as civil law jurisdictions in Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia. You can use either the English or American legal systems in these locations.
They can change their appearance to fit in with any group. When you study law at McGill, you will be prepared for a multicultural society where fluid boundaries are the norm rather than the exception.
Students at the university have the option of taking classes in either English or French. One legal system includes both common law and civil law, as well as a variety of local legal systems.
Students pursuing a master’s or doctorate degree in this program can receive personalized assistance from a diverse group of well-known academics through the program’s active graduate community. Doctoral students in legal education receive the best education possible.
University of British Columbia
Province: British Columbia.
Tuition: CA$13,412.16 for domestic students, and CA$40,408.32 for international students, paid annually.
With an acceptance rate of 52.4%, the University of British Columbia (UBC) School of Law is undoubtedly one of the leading law schools in Canada, with a global reputation for innovative research, inspiring teachers, and outstanding graduates.
The Peter A. Allard Law School now offers full-time and part-time General LL.M., common law, and taxation law programs. The full-time program lasts twelve months, while the part-time program lasts twenty-four months.
Every program at the university strives to create an environment where people can get along and respect one another. The space is designed to facilitate learning through hands-on activities.
You learn something new every day, in and out of school. Students today have many options, including community service, co-ops, internships, study abroad programs, and more. This school, in our opinion and according to statistics, is one of the best law schools in Canada.
Faculty members include well-known academics and professors who have made significant national and international contributions in fields such as human rights, environmental sustainability, and commercial law.
York University
Province: Toronto, Ontario.
Tuition: Domestic full-time Ph.D. and LLB: CA$1,711.39 (per term), International full-time LLM: $6,550.88 (per term).
York University used to be Canada’s best university. It is regarded as one of the best business schools in the world. Aside from business, YorkU makes a strong case for being one of Canada’s top law schools with an Acceptance Rate of 89%
The university’s unique programs are designed to encourage excellence, raise the profile of education on the global stage, and raise the bar for quality in general. For the first time in North America, a cross-border executive MBA degree was awarded.
Also conferred were the world’s first degrees in business analytics and international business (IMBA) (MBAN). A student can easily transition from part-time to full-time study, depending on the demands of their job, personal life, and changing educational goals.
The university has received approval from a variety of organizations, including AMBA, Equis, PIM, and PACIBER.
Students at York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School receive an excellent legal education. This is accomplished in a variety of ways, including having a curriculum that is forward-thinking, hands-on, and relevant; having internationally renowned faculty members who are recognized as thought leaders in their fields, and having an academic community that is open to all and eager to collaborate with them.
University of Montreal
Province: Montreal, Quebec.
Tuition: CA$29,190 per year.
Students from all over the world are welcomed and encouraged at this school. It has been around for nearly a century and was the first place in Canada to have a management school. It has one of Canada’s most prestigious law schools, with an Acceptance Rate of 40-50%
It is well-known for the high quality of its education and research, and it has produced many successful politicians and scientists. The school works with students of all ages and focuses on research that will benefit the local community.
The University of Montreal aspires to educate future leaders, scientists, and educators. It accomplishes this by utilizing its many resources as well as those of the surrounding community, and by constantly striving to improve.
The university assists its students in developing a wide range of skills and interests that will aid them in their studies by employing a strategy that is both open to the world and responsible for the world as a whole. The University of Montreal’s programs are not only a great place to learn, but they can also change your life.
University of Ottawa
Province: Ottawa, Ontario.
Tuition: CA$12,597.50 per year for Canadians and CA$22,531.00 for international students.
With a 42% acceptance rate, the University of Ottawa is one of the best places in Canada to study a law degree. It also has a global viewpoint and some of the most comprehensive courses.
The Human Rights Research and Education Center at the University of California, Santa Barbara is well-known throughout the world.
This area is also home to several significant organizations, including the IUCN Academy of Environmental Law, which is a national leader in a variety of fields. The National Capital Region of Canada is home to both the country’s highest court and a thriving high-tech industry.
The school provides a variety of “hands-on” learning opportunities throughout campus. The program’s students learn from business leaders who have achieved some of the highest levels of success in their careers.
Outside of class, students can engage in intellectual and social activities by joining one of the more than 30 student groups that cover a wide range of topics and interests.
It provides students with the best opportunity in the world to learn Common Law (in English or French), Civil Law (in English or French), and Indigenous legal traditions (in English or French).
University of Victoria
Province: Victoria, British Columbia.
Tuition: CA$10,579 per year for domestic students, while the average cost per year for an American student is between CA$6,000 and CA$8,000.
The University of Victoria is different from other law schools in Canada because its students and teachers care about, and are aware of social issues. It also gives you a lot of chances to learn by doing.
Governments, institutions, and non-governmental organizations from all over the world have contributed to the university’s international reputation.
This is due to their extensive practical experience and ability to think critically. They also receive excellent training and work in a learning environment that is both supportive and challenging.
The University of Victoria law school is regarded as one of the best in Canada. It is also one of the most well-known law schools in the United States due to the equality of its academic program admission, emphasis on hands-on learning, and commitment to social justice.
Furthermore, each student in the Juris Doctor program at the University of Victoria receives more clinical placements than at any other law school in Canada, it has an Acceptance Rate of 64%.
Carleton University
Province: Ottawa, Ontario.
Tuition: CA$7,292 – CA$12,478 per year for domestic students,
This university was established in 1942 to assist World War II veterans. The school supports both new ways of teaching and learning as well as learning by doing.
Graduates of this school receive a great deal of assistance in the form of academic resources, and they also learn how to be entrepreneurs to succeed in today’s fast-paced workplace.
Carleton University students and faculty members both want to learn and conduct research. As a result, Carleton has been one of the best universities in the nation’s capital for nearly a century.
Carleton University is known as a great place to work because of its programs and services. Approximately 27,000 undergraduate students and 4,000 graduate students will be enrolled in the 2018-2019 school year.
Dalhousie University
Province: Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Tuition: CA$17,457 per year for domestic students.
Dalhousie University’s programs are highly regarded not only internationally, but also nationally and internationally. It was the first university in Canada to have a school dedicated to a specific field of study, such as law. It has been around for a long time, possibly over a century.
It’s been around for nearly 150 years. The teaching philosophy of the school emphasizes “learning by doing” so that students can better understand what they have just learned or created and figure out how to apply it in the real world.
The University’s Schulich Law School has an international reputation for its work in academia, business, and public policy.
This school is unique in that it was the first in Canada to offer a Common Law program. Because of its academic ambition and rigor, it has been regarded as a model for legal education in Canada.
Students come from all over the country to attend this school. At every level of the clerkship system in the Canadian judicial system, there are many recent college graduates.
They are skilled at lobbying and advocating, and they contribute significantly to the communities in which they live. According to the 2011 King Schools Survey conducted by Corporate Knights, the school stood out for having many “student-led initiatives” that were successful.
Laval University
Province: Quebec City, Quebec.
Tuition: Tuition ranges from CA$16,000 to CA$8,000 for both in-state and out-of-state students.
Laval University is a school that genuinely cares about its students and provides them with numerous opportunities to learn. Some of Canada’s best law schools have built a tradition of academic excellence that is second to none throughout their long and interesting histories.
Students at this school may be eligible for scholarships if they meet the requirements. There are numerous ways to obtain funds at Laval University, including:
- Scholarships for academic achievement,
- University support plans,
- Government aid programs,
- Awards from awarding organizations
Students can also learn new things and broaden their horizons by attending school in another country. At the ULaval School of Law, over a thousand of Canada’s best lawyers learned how to be lawyers.
How to Become A Lawyer In Canada?
A law degree in Canada typically takes three to four years to complete in a university program. You must first obtain a Bachelor of Laws degree from a recognized law school.
Applicants must take the competitive LSATs to demonstrate their understanding of Canadian law. If you do well on this exam, selecting the best law schools should be your next priority.
McGill University, The University of Montreal, The University of Manitoba, The University of British Columbia, and Queen’s University, all of which have specialized law schools – The Faculty of Law – are excellent choices to consider in this quest.
After enrolling, you will be required to complete the four-year program at one of these universities. After completing this program, you will be required to take the bar exam.
The Canadian Bar Association administers this difficult law exam. Background checks are also required. Students must pass this exam to practice in the country.
The good news for international students who want to enroll in any of these schools but are unsure about the possibility is that there are several program options available.
What Jobs Can I Do As A Law Graduate In Canada?
Here are some jobs you can do with a law degree in Canada
- Advice Worker
- Chartered Accountant
- Civil Service Administrator
- Data Analyst/ Data Scientist
- Forensic Computer Analyst
- Patent Attorney
- A stockbroker or a Trading Standards Officer.
However, if after completion of your law degree, you decide not to continue as a practicing lawyer there are six major sectors you can explore:
- Banking and Finance
- Conflict Resolution
- Education and Academic Administration
- Government and Politics
- Human Resources
- Legal Writing, Editing, and Publishing
What Is The Job Outlook And Salary Of A Lawyer In Canada?
Lawyers provide legal advice and representation to individuals, businesses, and government agencies. Although the majority of lawyers work in private and corporate law firms, some work for federal, state, and local governments. The majority of these attorneys work full-time, and many work more than 40 hours per week.
According to Canada Talent.com, The average salary of a lawyer in Canada is $100,000 per year or $51.28 per hour. Entry-level positions start at $77,500 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $135,000 per year.
Conclusion
With the excellent schools and law programs mentioned in this article, Canada is unquestionably a wise choice for obtaining a law degree. Gather the prerequisites, select one of these law schools in Canada, and begin a new chapter in your life.