Studying law is not for the weak. One has to be passionate about the subject and want to put in all the hard work and dedication. The university you choose will play a massive role in helping you achieve your dreams.
Choosing the right law university can be an overwhelming process, especially since there is an abundance of them in Canada. To aid you with your search, we’ve compiled a list of the nine best law schools in the country.
Top 9+ Law Schools In Canada
Below is a short and quick table of the top nine universities for studying law in Canada and their respective ranks.
Sr.No. | University | Type | Ranking |
1. | University of Toronto | Public | #1 |
2. | McGill University | Public | #2 |
3. | University of British Columbia | Public | #3 |
4. | University of Montreal | Public | #4 |
5. | University of Ottawa | Public | #5 |
6. | York University | Public | #6 |
7. | Queen’s University | Public | #7 |
8. | University of Alberta | Public | #8 |
9. | Dalhousie University | Public | #9 |
Following is a detailed and descriptive list of the best nine law schools in Canada that you can go through.
1. University Of Toronto
Founded in 1827, the University of Toronto is soon going to complete its long 200-year journey of providing top-class education to tens of thousands of students.
Home to various famous discoveries, such as insulin and stem cells, there is no doubt that the University of Toronto has made massive contributions to the world.
The university has a flawless law faculty. It contains numerous courses, such as animal law, business law, constitutional law, innovation law, etc. Students have the option to choose from 15 different law-specific focus areas.
Location | 27 King’s College Cir, Toronto, ON M5S, Canada |
Acceptance rate | 43% |
Tuition fees (Domestic students) | Starting from $6,210 |
Tuition fees (International students) | Starting from $6,210 |
2. McGill University
McGill began with a small campus of 80 acres which has now spread over an area of almost 2,000 acres. It is located in the vibrant city of Montreal and has been known to attract the brightest students across the world over the past 200 years.
McGill’s law faculty is the oldest in Canada and offers world-class knowledge and practical training in the real world. Students are provided with a broad understanding of the law and trained to practice in several US states.
Students can choose from two graduate programs: doctor of civil law (DCL) and Master of Laws (LLM). The courses are research-based and have a rigorous curriculum.
Location | 845 Sherbrooke St W, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0G4, Canada |
Acceptance rate | 32.25% |
Tuition fees (domestic students) | $5,060 (Quebec students); $10,841 (non-Quebec Canadian students) |
Tuition fees (International students) | $52,359 |
3. University Of British Columbia
Of all the options on our list, the University of British Columbia is the most affordable. The institution has consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities globally, not just in its own country.
Also known as UBC, the university has been changing the world by graduating the best students since 1915. It has campuses in Vancouver and Kelowna and over 180 training sites across British Columbia.
Students have the option to study law in two languages: English and French. Specializations include dispute resolution, international trade, business and human rights law, social justice, environmental law, etc.
Location | Vancouver, BC, Canada |
Acceptance rate | 57% |
Tuition fees (domestic students) | $13,680 |
Tuition fees (International students) | $41,620 |
4. University Of Montreal
Canada’s third most international university, the University of Montreal, teaches over 10,000 international students. It is Canada’s one of the leading research universities.
The University of Montreal offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral law programs. It also offers short-term graduate courses of 15-17 credits if you’re looking for quick training in a particular legal area.
Apart from excelling in their education quality, the university provides students with opportunities for internships with judges. This gives them the exposure they need in the real world.
Location | Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
Acceptance rate | 57% |
Tuition fees (domestic students) | $8,064 (Quebec students); $20284 (Non-Quebec Canadian students) |
Tuition fees (International students) | $56,504 |
5. University Of Ottawa
With hundreds of universities to choose from, what makes the University of Ottawa different is the sense of belonging they provide to each student. The teachers and faculty members are dedicated to helping students find their passion through mentorship.
The university provides hands-on learning opportunities from the very first year. Students are encouraged to practice what they learn in real-world settings.
Law courses are available in two languages. Students can choose from the English Juris Doctor and the French Juris Doctor. Apart from that, there are various specializations offered.
Location | 75 Laurier Ave E, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada |
Acceptance rate | 24% |
Tuition fees (domestic students) | $4,923 per term |
Tuition fees (International students) | $24,719 per term |
6. York University
York University stands in the top 10 in Canada and 40 in global rankings. It is named one of the world’s leading universities in the 2024 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.
York University has eight facilities and forty departments of studies. YU’s Osgoode Hall Law School provides Juris Doctor, Graduate, and Professional Development programs taught by the country’s leading scholars and finest practitioners.
The university equips a rigorous curriculum and hands-on experience designed to inspire innovative policymaking and landmark changes in the law.
Location | 4700 Keele St, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada |
Acceptance rate | 27% |
Tuition fees (domestic students) | $7,153 |
Tuition fees (International students) | $33,791 |
7. Queen’s University
Queen’s University, founded in 1841, is a Canadian public institution with one of the oldest law faculties in the country.
The university houses over 31,000 full and part-time students and 793 faculty. Queen’s has a remarkable law faculty and programs ranging from JD to Ph.D. Several Supreme Court judges have received their education from this prestigious university.
Along with classroom education, the university offers exciting real-world opportunities to its domestic and international students with exciting real-world opportunities.
Location | 99 University Ave, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada |
Acceptance rate | 10.4% to 19.3% |
Tuition fees (domestic students) | $19,660 |
Tuition fees (International students) | $73,310 |
8. University Of Alberta
The University of Alberta, founded in 1908, is among Canada’s top 5 research universities. It has an international reputation for excelling in the fields of humanities, sciences, creative arts, business, engineering, and health sciences.
The law faculty here is the third oldest in Canada and the oldest in Western Canada. The school offers a Juris Doctor program, as well as the graduate degrees of Master of Laws and Ph.D.
The University of Alberta has been ranked second for “elite firm hiring.” Famous alumni include The Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin, the Chief Justice of Alberta, The Chief Justice of Canada, and The Honourable Madame Catherine Fraser.
Location | 116 St & 85 Ave, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada |
Acceptance rate | 58% |
Tuition fees (domestic students) | $19,410 |
Tuition fees (International students) | $51,156 |
9. Dalhousie University
Located in the heart of a city with a rich history, Dalhousie University’s “Schulich School of Law” is Canada’s oldest university-based common law school.
Not only Dalhousie’s law school is among the top ones in Canada, but it is one of the top 100 in the world. The school offers both graduate and undergraduate programs in law.
The American College of Trial Lawyers awarded the school the Emil Gumpuert Award for its excellent trial advocacy training. It was the first law school in Canada to receive this award.
Location | 6299 South St, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada |
Acceptance rate | 60-70% |
Tuition fees (domestic students) | $22,611 (for students in Nova Scotia); $23,894 (for out-of-province students) |
Tuition fees (International students) | $43,191 |
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Conclusion: Best Law Schools In Canada (2024)
With that, our list of universities with top-class law faculties in Canada ends. We hope that our list helps narrow down your search.
All of the aforementioned universities equip world-class scholars with excellent infrastructure, practical lessons, and internships and ensure a quality of education that guarantees almost 100% of the employment rate.
To access additional information about the university or read about the specific law course you’re looking for, you can go to the university’s website.
Let us know which university you want to consider; feel free to drop any comments or questions!
FAQs
Canada is home to some of the top-ranked global universities and offers prolific career opportunities to law students. Students are not only taught bookish knowledge but are trained in essential career skills such as communication, quick response, critical thinking, etc.
Yes. Several government-funded Canadian universities offer partial and full scholarships to domestic as well as international students. Different universities have different scholarship programs, so check your choice of university’s website.
To get into a Canadian university with a reputed law faculty, it is vital to get good grades and maintain an excellent academic profile. The eligibility criteria of most colleges are not strict. However, since acceptance rates are so low, universities are likely to choose applicants with flawless academic records.