How to start studying law in Canada: Law school enrollment guide

Studying law in Canada requires an understanding of the country’s legal education even before enrolling. This is because Canada is a federation, which means that the practice of law is supervised on a per-state level. A lawyer who passed the bar in British Columbia cannot automatically practice in Ontario and vice versa. 

What does that mean for studying law in Canada? Each law school is optimized to teach students based on their location. For example, the University of British Columbia law school mainly prepares its students for acceptance in the law society of BC. If you want to practice in a specific area, it makes sense to study law within the same area. 

Canadian legal education system 

So based on the above information, can a UBC law graduate take the Ontario bar exam? Yes. However, the student must pass Ontario’s bar exam first as well as meet additional requirements. This is also true for those who are already lawyers and simply want to expand their practice.  

The requirements from one province to the next are more or less the same. However, Québec – being a civil law state – tends to have more requirements. Legal professionals in Québec also primarily use the French language. This is why additional requirements certifying language proficiency are often required. 

With those out of the way, here’s what you should know about studying law in Canada. 

Studying law in Canada: a step-by-step guide

There are at least five steps for the most common pathway to becoming a lawyer in Canada: 

• Earn a bachelor’s degree 
• Take the LSAT (Law School Admission Test) 
• Apply for and graduate from a law school 
• Articling 
• Take and pass the bar exam 

Let's go over these steps in more detail.  

1. Earn a bachelor's degree 

To qualify for admission to a law program, you must have first finished your bachelor’s degree or post-secondary studies. This is even though the Juris Doctor (JD) program is also an undergraduate degree. There is no specific degree or area of study required. Your bachelor’s degree may or may not be related to the legal field. 

It’s also not required that you earn your bachelor’s degree with the same university where you’ll be studying law. The only requirement is that you earn your bachelor’s degree from a reputable school. Some schools, like Peter Allard school of law, let students enroll while on their third year of a four-year course. 

As for international students who wish to study in Canada, any undergraduate degree from an accredited higher education institution is accepted. 

2. Take the LSAT (Law School Admission Test) 

As a rule, studying law in Canada requires that you have taken your LSAT before applying to a law school. The exception is if you’re applying to a Québec law school. Many of these schools, like McGill University, do not require the LSAT. However, it will be considered if sent together with a student’s application. 

Since LSAT may be taken multiple times, students can try for higher scores before they enroll in any law school. However, you still need to let the school know if you’ve taken the exam multiple times. For instance, some law schools average your previous LSAT scores, while others only consider your highest score. 

A competitive LSAT score is usually around the 160 to 165 range. However, getting this score doesn’t guarantee that you’ll be studying law in Canada. Many schools have a set minimum or if not, they look at the totality of a student’s profile. Other factors like personal statement, references, and non-academics are considered. 

These guidelines can change, so it’s best to check with your preferred law school for updates. Here’s a helpful guide on making sure your LSAT score stands out from other applicants: 

3. Apply to a law school 

After completing a bachelor’s degree and taking your LSAT, it’s time to apply to the law school of your choice. There is a total of 24 law schools in Canada offering different programs which qualifies you to take the bar exam. The Juris Doctor program is the most common pathway to be a lawyer. However, some schools offer combined programs. 

For example, the University of Toronto – Faculty of Law offers combined JD programs with master's in criminology, economics, public policy, and more. Law schools have an entire process for admitting students. Many have low admission rates, often having less than 200 spots despite receiving thousands of applications. 

This is why it’s important to put your best foot forward when studying law in Canada. Preparing means getting a competitive LSAT and GPA score. Providing strong references and writing a compelling personal statement are also important. Each school assesses candidates differently so make sure to read up on the school requirements. 

Articling or its equivalent 

Articling is the practice of allowing law graduates to learn from actual practicing lawyers. During this time, they get hands-on-learning under the supervision of a lawyer or a firm. Duties may include drafting contracts, accompanying lawyers in court, talking with clients, noting statements, and generally assisting a lawyer in their activities. 

The period can be anywhere from 10 to 12 months and prepares students for actual lawyer life. JD holders who are in the articling process are considered as employees of the firm. They get all the benefits associated with being an employee. In some jurisdictions, articling happens after passing the bar exam. 

Not all jurisdictions, however, require articling. For example, the law society of Ontario requires compliance with the Law Practice Program. It is an alternative to articling in Ontario and was passed because of the limited articling position in the state. Here’s a helpful look at how articling is done in Canada: 

4. Review for and pass the bar exam 

Articling should be completed before taking the bar exam. Once completed, a Juris Doctor graduate can write for the bar exam and hopefully pass the bar. Since the bar exam is administered on a per-state basis, the schedule is subject to change. Typically, though, an exam is conducted once a year by concerned authorities. 

The bar is a multi-day exam where students are tested on different subjects of the law. Once done, it usually takes a few months before the results come out. While there is no reported passing rate, Canadian provinces typically have a high passing rate – way beyond fifty percent at a time. This can include JD graduates who have several attempts. 

Studying law in Québec 

Québec follows civil law which makes it distinct from all other provinces in Canada. The approach to legal education is also very different. Common law jurisdictions typically administer two exams: barrister and solicitor. You have to pass both in order to practice as a full-pledged lawyer. 

In Québec, there are three core competencies being tested by the bar administrators. These are:  

• ethics 
• drafting 
• applied law  

Articling or internship only takes around six months compared to the 12 months in common law jurisdictions. Coursework must also be taken at the bar school, which isn’t available in other provinces. 

Québec offers Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degrees as opposed to Juris Doctor. Compared to common law provinces, becoming a lawyer in Québec is more fragmented. 

How many years does it take to study law in Canada? 

So, taking all the steps into consideration – it would take a minimum of seven to eight years to become a lawyer in Canada. The breakdown is three years for a bachelor’s degree, another three years for law school proper, a year for articling, and then the bar exam. This is assuming that the full-time student passes all their classes. 

However, there are part-time options. Part-time study isn’t available in law schools. If this is how you intend to study, then this will significantly limit your university choices.

The review period for the bar exam also takes a few months. The period can be extended if the student wants to take their time learning the law before taking the exam. There are instances when a JD holder takes the bar exam several times before passing.   

How much does it cost to become a lawyer in Canada? 

Cost of studying law in Canada will depend on the law school you will be enrolled in and the province where it’s located. Tuition for one year may range from $12,000 to $20,000, but it may even go as high as $30,000. Since law schools are a responsibility of the province, students who are residents of the province typically enjoy lower tuition costs. 

Out-of-province students are also welcomed but with higher tuition rates. International students typically have to meet national and state requirements before they can study. Fortunately, studying law in Canada need not be that expensive. Student aid, bursaries, scholarships, and other financial assistance are available for those who need it. 

Beyond law school – other law programs in Canada 

Studying law in Canada does not stop with passing the bar exams. Some schools offer postgraduate degrees such as Master of Laws (LLM) or a PhD in Law. Those who want to go above and beyond their legal profession can enroll in these classes. Typically, universities require an LLM degree before proceeding to PhD. 

An LLM can be completed in one or two years for a full-time student. A PhD usually takes longer and would require original research that contributes new knowledge to the legal profession.  

Postgraduate degrees are not mandatory. A Canadian lawyer can practice their profession even without these added programs. 

For those who are simply interested in the law but do not plan to become lawyers – other programs are available. There are courses, certificates, and law-adjacent degrees that can help support a legal career. In fact, some of these law courses are available online, making them perfect for busy professionals. 

Why study law in Canada? 

Studying law in Canada takes time, dedication, and hard work. Aspiring lawyers often find themselves still studying while other degree-holder friends are already in the workforce. The good news is that lawyers fall under a generous income bracket. New lawyers typically have starting salaries of $80,000 depending on the area of practice. 

Of course, income is just one of the reasons why people choose to study law. The fact is that the legal profession is a calling. This high-risk job also comes with high rewards as it gives individuals the opportunity to be part of Canada’s administration of justice. 

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