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25 Best Law Schools in Canada

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Most of the best law schools in Canada offer a well-rounded academic experience and unique Canadian perspectives on the law.

Canadian legal education, where excellence thrives in most institutions, makes the task of selecting the ideal law school to be both exciting and challenging.

Benefits of Studying Law in Canada

Canadian law schools offer a well-rounded academic experience with low tuition fees, government funding, and unique Canadian perspectives on the law.

Students can earn millions of dollars in their careers, and the Canadian legal system is more flexible towards entrepreneurs. They also develop marketable skills, such as language-specific legal knowledge, cross-cultural training, and Canadian corporate experience.

Canada also offers student visas that can help find employment abroad. After graduation, Canada offers job opportunities, and a significantly lower unemployment rate.

Below is a list of the popular law courses in Canada:

  • Canadian Constitutional Law
  • Contracts
  • Criminal Law and Procedure
  • Property Law
  • Torts
  • Administrative Law
  • Jurisprudence
  • Environmental Law
  • Business Law

Criteria for Ranking the 25 Best Law Schools in Canada

In order to determine the 25 best law Schools in Canada, we evaluated each institution based on a set of comprehensive criteria.

Our assessment focused on the following key factors:

Academic Reputation: We considered the overall standing and recognition of each school within the law community, including any awards and accreditations.

Faculty Expertise: The qualifications, achievements, and industry experience of the faculty members were closely examined, as they play a vital role in shaping students’ law/legal journeys.

Program Diversity: A diverse range of law programs provides students with more options to pursue their specific interests, from Administrative Law to Environmental law and beyond.

List of the Best Law Schools in Canada

Below is a list of the best law schools in Canada:

25 Best Law Schools in Canada

1. University of Toronto

  • Founded: 1887
  • Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  • Tuition: The tuition fee for one year of law school at the University of Toronto is more than $36,000.
  • Ranking: In the 2023 QS World University Rankings, the Faculty of Law was ranked #1 in Canada.
  • Accreditation: The Faculty of Law is accredited by the Law Society of Upper Canada, the governing body for lawyers in Ontario.
  • Financial aid: The Faculty of Law offers a variety of financial aid opportunities, including scholarships, bursaries, and loans.

The University of Toronto Faculty of Law is a public law school located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is the oldest law school in Canada and is consistently ranked as one of the top law schools in the world.

2. University of British Columbia

  • Founded: 1924
  • Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
  • Tuition fee: About $39,744 for international students.
  • Ranking: 38th in the world (QS World University Rankings 2023)
  • Accreditation: The American Bar Association (ABA) and the Law Society of British Columbia (LSBC)
  • Financial aid: The law school offers a variety of financial aid programs, including scholarships, bursaries, and loans.

The University of British Columbia Law School is a public law school located in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It was founded in 1924 and is one of the oldest and most prestigious law schools in Canada.

3. McGill University

  • Founded: 1848
  • Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
  • Tuition fee: McGill University charges a tuition of $27,000 per year for a JD degree.
  • Ranking: McGill Law is ranked 26th in the world by the QS World University Rankings 2023.
  • Accreditation: McGill Law is accredited by the Canadian Bar Association and the American Bar Association.
  • Financial aid: McGill Law offers a variety of financial aid options, including scholarships, bursaries, and loans.
  • Courses: McGill Law offers a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree, as well as a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree in a variety of specializations.

McGill University Faculty of Law is a public law school located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It was founded in 1848 and is one of the oldest law schools in Canada.

4. University of Alberta

  • Founded: 1906
  • Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
  • Tuition fee: The total cost of law school at the University of Alberta is estimated to be $19,301.
  • Ranking: 17th in Canada (2023 Maclean’s University Rankings)
  • Accreditation: The American Bar Association (ABA) and the Law Society of Upper Canada (LSUC)
  • Financial aid: The faculty offers a variety of financial aid options, including scholarships, bursaries, and loans.
  • Courses: The JD program at the University of Alberta Law offers a wide range of courses, including constitutional law, criminal law, civil procedure, and property law. Students also have the opportunity to take courses in specialized areas, such as environmental law, Indigenous law, and international law.

The University of Alberta Faculty of Law is one of the leading law schools in Canada. It was founded in 1906 and is located in Edmonton, Alberta.

The faculty offers a three-year Juris Doctor (JD) program, as well as a Master of Laws (LLM) program and a Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) program.

5. University of Ottawa

  • Founded: 1866
  • Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
  • Tuition fee: The tuition and fees for full-time law students at the University of Ottawa in 2021-2022 are $20,998.
  • Ranking: 15th in Canada (2023 Maclean’s University Rankings)
  • Accreditation: The Law Society of Upper Canada
  • Financial aid: The University of Ottawa Law offers a variety of financial aid programs, including scholarships, bursaries, and loans.
  • Courses: The University of Ottawa Law offers a wide range of courses, including constitutional law, criminal law, civil procedure, and property law.

The University of Ottawa Law is a public law school located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It was founded in 1866 and is the oldest law school in the province.

6. McMaster University

  • Founded: 1974
  • Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
  • Tuition fee: CA$28,958 (international students)
  • Ranking: 10th in Canada (2023 Maclean’s University Rankings)
  • Accreditation: Canadian Common Law Admission Test (CLEAT) and the Federation of Law Societies of Canada (FLSC)
  • Financial aid: The Faculty of Law offers a variety of financial aid programs to help students pay for their education. These programs include scholarships, bursaries, and loans.

McMaster University Faculty of Law is a public law school located in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. It was founded in 1974 and is one of the youngest law schools in Canada.

7. University of Calgary

  • Founded: 1966
  • Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
  • Tuition fee: $57,180 per year for international students.
  • Ranking: 1st in Canada for Clinical Legal Education (QS World University Rankings 2023).
  • Accreditation: The University of Calgary Law is accredited by the Canadian Bar Association and the American Bar Association.
  • Financial aid: The University of Calgary Law offers a variety of financial aid options, including scholarships, bursaries, and loans.
  • Courses: The University of Calgary Law offers a variety of courses, including criminal law, civil law, constitutional law, and environmental law.

The University of Calgary Law is a public law school located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It was founded in 1966 and is one of three law schools in Alberta.

8. Western University

  • Founded: 1881
  • Location: London, Ontario, Canada
  • Tuition fee: The tuition and supplemental fees for Western Law School are $21,840 for Ontario residents.
  • Ranking: 10th in Canada (2023 Maclean’s ranking)
  • Accreditation: Western University Law is accredited by the Law Society of Upper Canada, which is the governing body for lawyers in Ontario.
  • Financial aid: Financial aid is available for students who demonstrate financial need.

Western University Law is a public law school located in London, Ontario, Canada. It is one of the oldest and most prestigious law schools in Canada.

9. York University

  • Founded: 1957
  • Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  • Tuition fee: The tuition fee for the Juris Doctor (JD) program for domestic students is $25,885.28 and for international students is $37,643.64 for the 2023-2024 academic year.
  • Ranking: 42nd in Canada (2023 Maclean’s University Rankings)
  • Accreditation: Canadian Bar Association (CBA) and the American Bar Association (ABA)
  • Financial aid: York University Law offers a variety of financial aid programs, including scholarships, bursaries, and loans.
  • Courses: York University Law offers a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, as well as a Master of Laws (LLM) degree in several specializations.

York University Law is a public law school located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was founded in 1957 and is one of the largest law schools in Canada.

10. University of Montreal

  • Founded: 1875
  • Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
  • Tuition fee: The tuition fee for the Bachelor of Laws program is $13,149.44 for domestic students and $38,854.40 for international students in the first year.
  • Ranking: 41st in the world (QS World University Rankings 2023)
  • Accreditation: The Law Society of Upper Canada, the New York State Bar Association, and the American Bar Association
  • Financial aid: The University of Montreal Law offers a variety of financial aid options, including scholarships, bursaries, and loans.
  • Courses: The University of Montreal Law offers a variety of courses, including civil law, common law, criminal law, constitutional law, and international law.

The University of Montreal Law is a public law school located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It is one of the oldest and most prestigious law schools in Canada and is consistently ranked among the top law schools in the country.

11. University of Waterloo

  • Founded: 1973
  • Location: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
  • Tuition fee: Tuition and fees for full-time law students in 2021-2022 are $20,998.50.
  • Ranking: 11th in Canada (2023 Maclean’s University Rankings)
  • Accreditation: The Law Society of Upper Canada (LSUC)
  • Financial aid: The University of Waterloo Law School offers a variety of financial aid options, including scholarships, bursaries, and loans.

The University of Waterloo Law School is a public law school located in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.

12. Queen’s University

  • Founded: 1846
  • Location: Kingston, Ontario, Canada
  • Tuition fee: The tuition fee for domestic students at Queens University is CAD 18,287.66D.
  • Ranking: 151-200 (QS World University Rankings)
  • Accreditation: The Canadian Bar Association and the American Bar Association
  • Financial aid: Queen’s University offers a variety of financial aid options for law students, including scholarships, bursaries, and loans.
  • Courses: The Queen’s University Faculty of Law offers a wide range of courses, including civil procedure, criminal law, constitutional law, and property law.

Queen’s University Faculty of Law is a public law school located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. It was founded in 1846 and is one of the oldest law schools in Canada.

13. Simon Fraser University

  • Founded: 1965
  • Location: Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
  • Tuition fee: $2,066.11 per term (Regular Full-time Fee Tuition)
  • Ranking: 12th in Canada (2023 Maclean’s University Rankings)
  • Accreditation: The Law Society of British Columbia
  • Financial aid: SFU Law offers a variety of financial aid options, including scholarships, bursaries, and loans.

Simon Fraser University (SFU) Law is a public law school located in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada.

Here are some additional details about the JD program at SFU Law:

  • The program is full-time and takes three years to complete.
  • Students can choose to specialize in one of three areas: business law, criminal law, or public law.
  • The program has a strong clinical component, with students getting the opportunity to work with real clients under the supervision of experienced lawyers.
  • SFU Law graduates have a high employment rate, with most students finding jobs in law firms, government, or non-profit organizations.

14. Dalhousie University

  • Founded: 1883
  • Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
  • Tuition fee: 8,580 CAD
  • Ranking: 6th in Canada (2023) and 100th in the world (2022)
  • Accreditation: The Schulich School of Law is accredited by the Canadian Bar Association and the American Bar Association.
  • Financial aid: The Schulich School of Law offers a variety of financial aid programs, including scholarships, bursaries, and loans.

The Schulich School of Law is the law school of Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. It is the oldest university-based common law school in Canada, founded in 1883.

15. Carleton University

  • Founded: 1947
  • Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
  • Tuition fee: The tuition fee for this program for international undergraduate students in the fall 2022 and winter 2023 terms is $34,598.07 per year.
  • Ranking: #24 in Canada (2023 Maclean’s University Rankings)
  • Accreditation: The Canadian Bar Association and the American Bar Association
  • Financial aid: The law school offers a variety of financial aid options, including scholarships, bursaries, and loans.

The Schulich School of Law is the law school of Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. It is the oldest university-based common law school in Canada, founded in 1883.

16. University of Manitoba

  • Founded: 1877
  • Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
  • Tuition fee: The basic full-time tuition and student fees for the University of Manitoba Law School are approximately $14,411.42 for domestic students and $30,918.48 for international students.
  • Ranking: The University of Manitoba Law is ranked 17th in Canada by Maclean’s magazine and 18th in Canada by The Lawyer’s Weekly
  • Accreditation: The Canadian Bar Association (CBA) and the American Bar Association (ABA)
  • Financial aid: The University of Manitoba Law offers a variety of financial aid options, including scholarships, bursaries, and loans.

The University of Manitoba Law is a public law school located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It was founded in 1877 and is the oldest law school in Western Canada.

17. University of Victoria

  • Founded: 1924
  • Location: Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
  • Tuition fee: The tuition fees for the University of Victoria’s law program are $10,790 per year for domestic students.
  • Ranking: The University of Victoria Law School is ranked 2nd in Canada and 45th in the world by the QS World University Rankings (2023).
  • Accreditation: The University of Victoria Law School is accredited by the Canadian Bar Association and the American Bar Association.
  • Financial aid: The University of Victoria Law School offers a variety of financial aid programs, including scholarships, bursaries, and loans.
  • Courses: The University of Victoria Law School offers a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, as well as a Master of Laws (LLM) degree in several specializations.

The University of Victoria Law School is a public law school located in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

18. Laval University

  • Founded: 1852
  • Location: Quebec City, Canada
  • Tuition fee: The Tuition and fees for full-time law students in 2021-2022 are $20,998.50.
  • Ranking: 10th in Canada (2023 Maclean’s University Rankings)
  • Accreditation: Canadian Bar Association (CBA) and the American Bar Association (ABA)
  • Financial aid: Laval University Law offers a variety of financial aid options, including scholarships, bursaries, and loans.

Laval University Law is a public law school located in Quebec City, Canada. It was founded in 1852 and is the oldest law school in Quebec. The school offers undergraduate and graduate programs in law.

19. University of Saskatchewan

  • Founded: 1912
  • Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
  • Tuition fee: The estimate for your first year of studies is CAD 14,040.00.
  • Ranking: The University of Saskatchewan Law School is ranked 14th in Canada by Maclean’s magazine.
  • Accreditation: The University of Saskatchewan Law School is accredited by the Canadian Bar Association.
  • Financial aid: The University of Saskatchewan Law School offers a variety of financial aid options, including scholarships, bursaries, and loans.

The University of Saskatchewan Law School is a public law school located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.

20. University of Guelph

  • Founded: 1966
  • Location: Guelph, Ontario, Canada
  • Tuition fee: For Canadian students, the tuition and fees are $7,391.69 per semester.
  • Ranking: 14th in Canada (2023 Maclean’s University Rankings)
  • Accreditation: The Law Society of Upper Canada
  • Financial aid: The University of Guelph Law offers a variety of financial aid options, including scholarships, bursaries, and loans.
  • Courses: The University of Guelph Law offers a Juris Doctor (JD) program, as well as a Master of Laws (LLM) program in Environmental Law and Policy.

21. Concordia University

  • Founded: 1974
  • Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
  • Tuition fee: Concordia University School of Law’s tuition & fees is $29,250.
  • Ranking: 6th in Canada (2023 Maclean’s University Rankings)
  • Accreditation: The Canadian Bar Association and the American Bar Association
  • Financial aid: The faculty offers a variety of financial aid options, including scholarships, bursaries, and loans.
  • Courses: The faculty offers a variety of courses in common law, civil law, and legal research and writing. Students also have the opportunity to participate in clinical programs and moot courts.

The Concordia University Faculty of Law is a public law school located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The faculty is committed to providing students with a high-quality legal education that prepares them for successful careers in law.

22. Memorial University of Newfoundland

  • Founded: 1961
  • Location: St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
  • Tuition fee: The tuition for domestic students is $6,000 per year, while the tuition for international students ranges from $11,460 to $20,000 per year.
  • Ranking: 100th in the world (QS World University Rankings 2023)
  • Accreditation: The Canadian Bar Association and the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Financial aid: The law school offers a variety of financial aid programs, including scholarships, bursaries, and loans.

The Memorial University of Newfoundland Law is a public law school located in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. It was founded in 1961 and is the only law school in the province.

23. Wilfrid Laurier University

  • Founded: Established in 1973.
  • Location: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
  • Tuition fee: The tuition fee for the law and society program at Wilfrid Laurier University is CAD$32,251.40 per year.
  • Ranking: Maclean’s ranked Wilfrid Laurier University Law School #10 in Canada in 2023.
  • Accreditation: The Wilfrid Laurier University Law School is accredited by the Canadian Bar Association and the American Bar Association.
  • Financial aid: The Wilfrid Laurier University Law School offers a variety of financial aid options, including scholarships, bursaries, and loans.

Wilfrid Laurier University is a small, but highly regarded law school located in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Their law program is known for its strong clinical program, which gives students hands-on experience working with real clients.

24. University of Quebec in Montreal

  • Founded: 1878
  • Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
  • Ranking: 131st (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023)
  • Accreditation: The Faculty of Law is accredited by the Canadian Bar Association and the American Bar Association.
  • Financial aid: The Faculty of Law offers a variety of financial aid programs to students, including scholarships, bursaries, and loans.

The Faculty of Law of the Université de Montréal is one of the oldest and most prestigious law schools in Canada.

25. Ryerson University

  • Founded: 2009
  • Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  • Tuition fee: The Tuition and fees for full-time law students at Ryerson University in 2021-2022 are $20,998.
  • Ranking: 101-110 (QS World University Rankings 2023)
  • Accreditation: The Law Society of Upper Canada
  • Financial aid: Ryerson University Law offers a variety of financial aid options, including scholarships, bursaries, and loans.
  • Courses: Ryerson University Law offers a wide range of courses, including civil law, criminal law, constitutional law, and environmental law.

Ryerson University Law is a public law school located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was founded in 2009 and is the first new law school in Canada in over 40 years.

FAQs on the Best Law Schools in Canada

Are there scholarships available for law school in Canada?

Yes, many law schools offer scholarships and financial aid to eligible students. Be sure to check each school's website for specific scholarship opportunities and application requirements.

How can I improve my chances of getting accepted into a top law school in Canada?

Strong academic performance, a well-crafted personal statement, compelling letters of recommendation, and relevant extracurricular activities can enhance your application.

Can I transfer between law schools in Canada if I change my mind after starting my studies?

Transferring between law schools can be challenging, and it's essential to check each school's transfer policies.

Where can I find more information about each law school on the list?

We provide brief overviews of each law school in our article, but for in-depth information, visit the official websites of the respective institutions or contact their admissions offices.

Conclusion

Canada is one of the best places to study law due to several reasons. We’ve come to the end of this article.

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