Law schools in Toronto: Rankings & admissions guide

Toronto is home to some of the best law schools not just in Canada but also the world. The law schools in Ontario's capital are the Osgoode Hall Law School, University of Toronto – Faculty of Law, and the Lincoln Alexander School of Law. 

There are more law schools in the province. That's why domestic students have more choices when considering where to study. Counting the three law schools in Toronto already mentioned, Ontario has a total of eight. 

But which law school is the best? This article explores the city's different law schools, so you can compare them and find the best fit. 

Law schools in Toronto, Canada 

All three law schools in Toronto are ranked globally. When it comes to the quality of instruction, you really can’t go wrong with any of these schools. But students who want to align their professional goals with their legal education would need to find out more about each school. Here’s what you should know: 

Osgoode Hall Law School (York University) 

York University ranks fourth among the top law schools in Canada in the latest rankings from Times Higher Education (THE). Most students who come here live on campus through the school’s many residences. A mini city of its own, the university has around 55,000 students at any given time. A limited portion of that is composed of law students. 

General information 

Around 290 students usually gain entry in Osgoode’s law school every year. This makes for a fairly manageable class size – especially for first year JD students. Students enroll from different provinces and countries with women comprising of more than 50 percent of the population. Of the total size, around 12 percent are Black, and 31 percent are Asian. 

A large portion of the population also comes from low-income households. More than a quarter are first-generation students. Close to 90 percent are also the first in their family to take up law school. 

Competition is high because less than a quarter of the applicants are actually accepted. Here’s an overview of school's profile: 

Median scores for admission 

Again, there is no specified minimum for LSAT and GPA scores. This is true for most law schools in Toronto. To increase your chances of acceptance though, an LSAT of 160 or more is usually best. The median GPA of accepted students also fell to around 3.7. 

Applicants who have these scores and demonstrate other strong qualities definitely increase their odds of acceptance. Most law school requirements include references, a strong personal statement, and an impressive interview. These are matters that you’ll need to build if you want to get in Osgoode Law. 

Campus life 

Osgoode Law tries to present its students with multiple avenues for networking and society immersion. Other than the legal clinics, there are different associations and organizations that are open to students. These include: 

• Osgoode Society for Corporate Governance 
• Black Law Students’ Association 
• Osgoode Student Animal Legal Defense Fund 

There are also multiple papers that students can publish their writing. There’s the Osgoode Hall Law Journal, Obiter Dicta, TheCourt.ca and more. To study, the Ignat Kaneff building is the center of all activity. It comes with a student lounge, a family room, and even a reflection room. 

Known for subjects 

Osgoode is well-known for a variety of subjects, including constitutional law, criminal law, and business law. They also have a well-rounded faculty that helps support the teaching of these courses. As a result, Osgoode graduates go on make their mark in Canada’s legal community. 

Financial assistance 

The school offers a combination of awards, scholarships, and bursaries to students who demonstrate excellence in their studies. Around $5 million is distributed each year to deserving students based on both merit and needs. Students can also gain access to government loans and external awards by following the application process. 

A notable source of financial aid in the school is the Income Contingent Loan Program. This allows students to study without paying any tuition. Instead, the tuition is treated as a loan and payable after graduation. Payments depend on the income of the student after securing a job. 

Faculty of Law, University of Toronto (U of T Law) 

The University of Toronto (UT law) is the top law school in the country based on THE's list. Established in 1887, it’s one of the oldest law schools in Toronto and Canada. Many leaders and justices of the Supreme Court were produced by this school. So, what makes it so special? Here is what you should know about the school: 

General information 

It’s a big law school with around 232 first years admitted in a year. With around 2,600 applicants though, this makes the school very competitive. The student population has more women than men and is internationally diverse. To start with, around 33 percent of its students come from a different province or country. 

The school has more than 50 faculties working full time. There are also distinct visiting faculties that come on a periodic basis. Despite its long history, the school has since been updated to have a more modern structure. This gives students all the benefits of modern life to aid with their studies without losing the school’s overall charm. 

Here’s some facts about the school: 

Median score for admission 

Successful students have a median score of 167 for LSAT and a GPA of around 3.9. However, the school assesses applicants based on their complete profile. Meeting the median score only improves your chances. 

Here’s a cool school tour for UT law: 

Campus life 

UT law gives students opportunities to follow their interests outside of academics. Here, students can take their pick from numerous organizations and associations. In fact, the school funds several programs for students, including: 

• Student conferences 
• Law Ball 
• Annual Halloween party 
• Weekly yoga classes 
• Peer mentorship program 

Clubs are some of the most diverse in the country, such as the Cannabis Law Club, In Vino Veritas, University of Toronto Animal Justice, Legal Hackers, and many more. There’s in-campus housing but with so many students, spaces tend to run out quickly. Fortunately, the neighbouring community has many residential options for students. 

Study-wise, the Bora Laskin Law Library offers excellent facilities for self-led learning. It’s one of the most exhaustive law schools in the country, so getting the resources you need is no problem.  

Known for subjects 

The school is known for a variety of law subjects. These include business law, criminal law, and Indigenous law. In fact, the school offers a combined JD program with master's on a variety of subjects like economics, social work, global affairs, public policy, and more. 

An impressive faculty supports the programs offered by UT law. Some notable alumni of the school include chief justice Bora Laskin and Prime Minister Paul Martin. 

Financial assistance 

Generally, law schools in Toronto provide great financial assistance. Every year, around $5 million is awarded to deserving students based on merit and demonstrated needs. The approval of financial aid is also high with more than 80 percent of applications granted each year. For the first year, the bursary can be as much as $12,500. 

Lincoln Alexander School of Law (Toronto Metropolitan University) 

General information 

Incoming first years are expected to be just around 150 annually. More than half of that is Indigenous, Black, or part of a minority group. Here’s more information about the school: 

Campus life 

Students can access various associations and activities to improve campus life. With more than 30 clubs, it shouldn’t be difficult for students to find activities and networks they can join to enrich their lives. There’s the Animal Justice Club, Advocacy Society, Disabled Law Students Organization, and more. 

Study-wise, there’s an extensive law library with mainly electronic collections. This makes it easy for students to look through jurisprudence and make the most of their time. 

Median score for admission  

Admitted students have scored an averge of 167 in their LSATs. For the GPA, the score is around 3.9 out of a 4.0 scale. Again, the totality of submitted requirements would be the main criteria used for admission. 

Known for subjects 

The school is known for the following subjects: 

• Business law 
• Experiential learning 

Financial assistance 

Students with demonstrated need can tap into the school’s many scholarships and bursaries. There’s also a line of credit for students with very flexible repayment options. Dedicated scholarships for minority groups are also available. 

How long is law school in Toronto? 

Three years is the typical period to finish law school in Toronto. Of course, this is after completing an undergraduate degree, which takes around four years. Both estimates are based on full-time students studying in Toronto and other parts of Canada. Part-time students usually finish law school in five or six years, depending on their workload. 

International students follow the same periods depending on whether they’re part-time or full-time. Note though that additional documents need to be processed for foreign students want to study in Canada. 

Is it hard to get into Toronto law school? 

Yes. All law schools in Toronto ranked highly among Canada’s law schools. This often translates to thousands of applications for limited slots. The acceptance rate is often less than a quarter each year. Keep in mind that there are other law schools in Ontario outside of Toronto if you want more options. 

The good news is that many of these law schools have a holistic approach to applications. GPA and LSAT scores are considered but other factors like personal statements and references also matter.  

Just in case though, here are some tips on how to prepare for an LSAT: 

How much does law school cost in Toronto? 

The cost of law school in Toronto can be anywhere from $20,000 to $33,000 for tuition only. However, this range is for domestic students. Out-of-province or international students tend to have higher tuition rates. 

For more accurate information, aspiring students are encouraged to visit the university website directly. This should give you a more definite idea about the costs, including ancillary fees and cost of living. Some law schools have lower costs, especially those located in Québec. 

Explore the five law schools in Québec. Learn about admission requirements, tuition fees, and how legal education is taught under civil law jurisdiction.

Entry in law schools in Toronto 

Law schools in Toronto are some of the top not only in the country but also the world. Unsurprisingly, competition is fierce – but that shouldn’t discourage aspiring students. The holistic approach of the universities means that they look beyond basic LSAT and GPA scores. You can also compare them with other law schools in Canada before making your choice! 

Want more information about law schools in Toronto and Canada? Check out our legal education page and stay updated about Canada’s law schools.