Choosing the right law school is of the utmost importance for taking successful steps in one’s academic journey and career prospects. Canada is one of the best countries for studying law, and there are numerous ambitious students from anywhere in the world coming to Canada to study at the best colleges of law.
Many of the law schools in Canada have exceptional reputations, which makes it considerably competitive for skillful international students to enroll at the best law schools, yet at the same time, those who can make it can become one of the privileged law students respected highly in any work environment. In this article, several top-notch options for studying law in Canada are discussed, and if you’re ready, take a look at the best law schools in Canada and start your application.
1. University of Ottawa – Faculty of Law
Founded in 1848, the University of Ottawa, or in other terms, uOttawa or U of O, is a public university with worldwide recognition and high university rankings. The university is also the largest bilingual French-English university worldwide, offering various degree programs in ten faculties.
The University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Law is in the top five best law schools in Canada. The Faculty of Law hosts over 2,000 undergraduate and graduate students, and the offered degrees include Juris Doctor, Bachelor of Civil Law, Master of Law, and Ph.D. in Law. Students are offered a wide range of specializations, such as social justice, human rights law, international trade, and more.
2. University of Alberta – Faculty of Law
The University of Alberta is the third-oldest law school in Canada, with a foundation year of 1912. The university’s Faculty of Law is one of the prominent schools of legal education in Canada, with a history of over 100 years. It is distinguished for being the only law school in Alberta that has been running for 62 years.
Located in Edmonton, Alberta, one of the biggest sources of oil in the country, the University of Alberta can be a great choice to study energy law. The Faculty of Law includes programs of various degrees with experienced faculty members providing quality education with the principles of collaboration and innovation.
3. University of Calgary – Faculty of Law
The University of Calgary, also known as UCalgary or U of C, is a leading institution offering degree courses in 14 faculties since its establishment in 1966. It is a member of the U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities, and several notable alumni include Stephen Harper, the former Prime Minister, and James Gosling, the creator of Java.
The University of Calgary’s Faculty of Law is one of the most prestigious law schools in Canada and the first law school in the Calgary region. The Faculty of Law also has a unique program called J.D. in International Energy Lawyers. The fee for its J.D. programs is $57,180 per year for international students.
4. Dalhousie University – Schulich School of Law
Established in 1818, Dalhousie University is a well-established public university in Canada and a member of U15, one of the respected research universities in the country. With more than 200 degree programs and 13 faculties, the university is home to over 21,000 students, 23% of whom are international, representing more than 115 countries.
Dalhousie University’s Schulich School of Law is located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, one of the unique regions with rich cultural heritage and outstanding scenery. The Schulich School of Law is prominent for its programs in Juris Doctor, Master of Law, and Ph.D. in Law, as well as extensive research activities in various fields of art, including environmental and tax law, health law, law and technology, and more.
5. Queen’s University – Faculty of Law
Founded in 1941 by the Church of Scotland, Queen’s University at Kingston is a prestigious public university with a unique history. Also known as Queen’s University or Queen’s, the university started education in 1842 with only 13 students and two professors; yet now, it is home to more than 31,000 students, including 4,000 international students coming from 101 countries.
The Faculty of Law is a respected law school with high rankings across the country. The faculty dates back to 1861 when it was first founded, and since 1957, it has been operating as the current Faculty of Law. One of the most notable alumni at Queen’s Faculty of Law is John A. Macdonald, Canada’s first prime minister. The main areas of interest at Queen’s Faculty of Law are business law, constitutional law, criminal law, and international law. Besides, there are several diploma programs at the graduate level, including legal services management and immigration and citizenship law.
6. University of Toronto – Faculty of Law
The University of Toronto, also known as U of T or UToronto, is one of the leading public research universities in the world. Established in 1827 as King’s College, the university became the first higher educational institution in the Province of Upper Canada. It is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada which, encompasses 11 colleges and two suburban campuses. The university is well-known as one of Canada’s pride for contributing knowledge, innovative teaching, and cutting-edge research that made significant changes in the world. The discovery of insulin, stem cell research, and the first artificial cardiac pacemaker took place at the research institutes of UToronto.
The University of Toronto is one of the best law schools in Canada and the world. According to Maclean magazine, it is the number one law school in providing the best legal education in Canada. In 2022, Times Higher Education placed the university’s Faculty of Law in the top 16th among the best law schools in the world.
UToronto’s Faculty of Law offers a wide range of combined Juris Doctor programs with other law courses and the standard three-year JD Programs. Students may also enroll in other graduate programs like Master of Laws (LLM), Global Professional LLM (GPLLM), Master of Studies in Law (MSL), and Doctor of Juridical Science (MSL).
7. McGill University – Faculty of Law
McGill University is one of Canada’s top-leading public research universities located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It was established in 1821 and named after a Scottish-Canadian merchant, James McGill. The university earned international recognition for its outstanding performance in chemistry, medicine, and biology. As a premier higher educational institution in North America, McGill University is affiliated with many major universal awards. The Nobel Prize winner, Ernest Rutherford, is one of the notable alumni of the university. He discovered the atomic nucleus and explained the process of radioactivity that significantly contributed to the scientific community.
The Faculty of Law at McGill University is one of the oldest in Canada which, was established in 1848. It is one of the top law graduate schools in the world, known for its groundbreaking excellence in civil law and common law. McGill University allows students to graduate with two degrees on Bachelor of Civil Law and a Juris Doctor. It is a unique and highly specialized program offering students a comprehensive learning and thorough understanding of the law that allows them to practice legal professions in Canada, the US, and other international firms.
Students may also enroll in a joint-degree program which includes the BCL/JD Program with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) or Master in Social Work (MSW). The Faculty also offers the standard Master of Laws (LLM) Program and three specialization LLM courses in Air and Space Law, Environment, and Bioethics. Moreover, students may pursue a doctoral degree in General Law, Comparative Law, and Air and Space Law. The Faculty will also award graduate certificates in Comparative Law and Air and Space Law to students without a thesis but who achieved the required credits for their law courses.
8. University of British Columbia – Peter A. Allard School of Law
The University of British Columbia (UBC) is one of the top three universities in Canada. Established in 1908, it became well-known for its commitment to promoting the human rights of the indigenous people of British Columbia. Additionally, with its world-class quality of education and research, UBC has received a high international outlook and is well-known as the alma mater of three Prime Ministers of Canada.
The Peter A. Allard School of Law of the University of Columbia is one of the best law schools in Canada and North America. It focuses on law subjects such as business law, tax law, environmental and natural resource law, and indigenous law. Its programs also allow law students to explore a wide perspective and understanding of the law, particularly about Pacific Rim issues and feminist jurisprudence. The Law school offers a Juris Doctor program wherein students will have hands-on experience solving legal problems through clinical trials and externships. Additionally, it also offers four graduate programs including, Master of Laws in Common Law, Master of Laws in Taxation, Master of Laws (LLM), and Doctor of Philosophy in Law.
9. York University – Osgoode Hall Law School
York University (YorkU) is Canada’s fourth-largest public research university located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The university was established in 1959 and became well-known for having the oldest film school in Canada. The Osgoode Hall Law School of York University is one of the premier law schools in Canada which, provides superior law and legal studies to both Canadian and international students. York University’s law and legal studies placed 4th among Canadian universities, according to the 2018 QS World University Rankings by Subject.
The Law school offers a Juris Doctor Program for undergraduate students, two types of LLM degrees, and a Ph.D. in Law.
10. Université de Montréal – Law Faculty
Université de Montréal (UdeM) is the largest francophone public research university in Canada. It was established in 1878 as a branch campus of Université Laval and officially operated as an independent university in 1919. The Faculty of Law at Université de Montréal is well-known for publishing the law journal namely the Revue Juridique Thémis de l’Université de Montréal. It became one of the most important references for the instruction of the legal traditions existing in Canada and North America.
The Faculty offers a Bachelor of Law in Civil Law degree and a one-year Juris Doctor in Common Law for Quebec civil law graduates. Students may also enroll in a wide range of graduate law programs including, Juris Doctor (J.D.) in North American Common Law, Master of Laws (LL.M.), Master of Law in Comparative Private Law (LL.M.), Master of Laws in Notarial Law (LL.M.), etc. Furthermore, doctoral law students at this excellent law school may have the opportunity to study for their Ph.D. in Law degrees in an international institution.
Canada offers a variety of top-class degree programs in law at the most prestigious universities with a long history and world-class recognition. All it takes is to feel confident about your skillset and determined to achieve your professional goals. Apply to the best law schools in Canada today and prepare for the respectful career options in numerous law institutions.
We hope this article on the best law schools in Canada was helpful. To learn more about the study options in this diverse country, make sure to check out the Available Programs in Canada and Study in Canada pages!
