University of British Columbia Law: Programs & prospects

The University of British Columbia law (UBC) gets thousands of applications in a single year. With limited slots, however, the competition is fierce – which can be frustrating for students. But what makes this law school standout against the rest? Here’s what you need to know about UBC. 

An overview of the University of British Columbia 

Situated in a naturally beautiful province, the University of British Columbia’s law school is officially called the Peter A. Allard School of Law. It was named after Peter Allard who is a lawyer, philanthropist, and a businessman. He is a graduate of the UBC law school and spent much of his resources on the improvement of UBC. 

In 2011, Allard donated $11.86 million to the university, most of which went towards the construction of the new law school building. He made another donation in 2015 – this time, worth $30 million – to the Faculty of Law. At that point, UBC’s law school was renamed Peter A. Allard School of Law as a thank you for his generous contribution. 

Although he passed away in 2022, his legacy lives on as UBC continues to produce some of the best legal minds in the country. Today, the University of British Columbia law is one of the three universities in the province that offer the Juris Doctor (JD) program. It also offers other law degrees for legal professionals who want to expand their education. 

Does UBC law have a good law program? 

Yes. While the University of British Columbia law was only recently named, the law school itself was established in 1945. This has given the school decades of opportunity to hone its teaching methods. More importantly, it took the time to build a great faculty that has the unique gift of understanding and teaching the law. 

Other than its namesake, Peter Allard, UBC law has produced numerous great lawyers, including Prime Ministers of Canada. Among its notable alumni are: 

• Kim Campbell, former Prime Minister of Canada, and the first woman to hold office 
• Ujjal Dosanjh, former Premier of British Columbia and former Canadian Minister of Health 
• Steven L. Point, former Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia, current UBC Chancellor, and Provincial Court Judge 

The proof of quality, however, isn’t just in their alumni. The University of British Columbia has a high articling rate. Close to one hundred percent of its students secure articling positions right off law school, placing them on a fast track to taking the bar exam. The diverse population of the school also helps create a mix of students from all backgrounds. 

Experiential learning for law students 

One of the reasons why UBC is so effective in teaching future lawyers is because of its experiential learning opportunities. The school has competitive moot courts, internships, externships, and workshops where students can practice their legal skills. These learning methods allow students to apply theory to practice. 

The school also has legal clinics that focus on different aspects of the law. Under the guidance of accomplished lawyers, students develop soft skills like interviewing clients and asking searching questions. These serve as foundations when they eventually enter the workforce as full-pledged lawyers. 

There’s also the fact that experiential learning exposes students to other firms and companies. The network built during this time can improve your chances of landing a job after taking the bar exam. 

Where does UBC rank among law schools in Canada?  

The University of British Columbia’s Peter A. Allard School of Law is one of the top-ranking law schools in Canada. In fact, it holds the third spot among all law schools in Canada, following the University of Toronto and McGill University. Globally, it’s in the top 50 law schools, which is why many international students are vying for a spot there. 

Another factor that makes University of British Columbia law remarkable is that it ranks very high in international outlook. With a score even higher than the University of Toronto, UBC’s ties to the international committee are impressive. This is why students who want to create connections and work across borders will find UBC as the best possible option. 

What degree programs are offered by UBC Law? 

University of British Columbia’s law school offers the JD program along with its graduate programs. UBC also offers online courses for students and lawyers who want to complete their requirements under the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA). Here’s a quick overview of each program offered: 

Juris Doctor (JD) Program 

The JD Program of the Allard School of Law trains students in theory and practice through hands-on learning opportunities. This is a three-year full-time course. The first year of study is focused on the basics of Canadian laws and Indigenous studies. The rest of the program can be taken with any of its four specializations or concentrations: 

• Indigenous Legal Studies 
• Business Law 
• Law & Social Justice 
• Environmental & Natural Resource Law 

UBC is well known for its Indigenous Legal Studies and its Indigenous Community Legal Clinic where free legal services are provided to the Indigenous community. Aspiring lawyers who wish to focus on Indigenous law and associated statutes will find that UBC as among the best training ground. 

Other programs 

Unlike other law schools that offer a wide range of law degrees, the University of British Columbia law keeps it simple and structured. This helps the faculty focus on the most important parts of the teaching process. 

Other than the JD degree, other programs available in University of British Columbia law are: 

• Master of laws - a one-year program (if full-time) or two-year program (if part-time) for foreign trained or non-common law trained lawyers 

• Master of laws in common law - a research-intensive degree where a student focuses on one’s LLM Thesis, in addition to other required courses and electives 

• Master of laws in taxation - for lawyers and accountants who wish to strengthen their knowledge of Canadian tax laws  

• Doctor of Philosophy - another research-intensive degree, which includes coursework, comprehensive exams, a dissertation, and a final examination 

UBC does not have a civil law program. This limits its students to writing for the bar in British Columbia or any other common law state. If you wish to sit for the bar of Québec, then additional requirements must be met. 

Online Courses 

Foreign law students or foreign lawyers who want to practice law in Canada may apply with the NCA-approved online courses offered by University of British Columbia’s law school. 

To be eligible, an applicant must: 

• have a prior law degree (JD or LLB, or its equivalent) 
• have an NCA Assessment Report or in the process of obtaining one 

Admission to UBC’s JD Program 

The University of British Columbia’s law school offers three admission categories to its first-year applicants: 

• General applicants: where one’s GPA, LSAT, and personal statement are given equal priority for admission. Applicants must have obtained an undergraduate degree 

• Discretionary applicants: for applicants who do not satisfy the general applicants category due to some factors (e.g., only completed two years in an undergraduate degree, etc.) 

• Indigenous applicants: for applicants who identify as part of an Indigenous community (First Nations, Métis or Inuit). A scholarship for Indigenous students is also available 

The law school also offers an admissions category for international applicants and upper-year applicants. 

What LSAT score do you need for UBC law? 

The good news is that the University of British Columbia does not set a minimum score for LSAT. Instead, it considers all factors for admission such as personal statements and academic references. However, students who successfully enter UBC law typically have an LSAT of 166 or higher.  

Since LSAT can be taken multiple times, UBC may investigate LSAT scores taken in the last five years. The highest score is usually the most determining factor for admission purposes. Here’s a tip if you want to make sure your LSAT scores hit the median: 

There's also no minimum GPA requirement. As with LSAT though, most of those accepted have a GPA of around 84 percent. This means that if you want to be competitive as an applicant, you must hit these target marks and then really shine on other law school requirements like your personal statement and references. 

University of British Columbia law tuition 

The cost of studying in UBC law is in somewhat in the middle compared to other law schools in Canda. It’s not among the cheapest law schools in the country. However, hopeful students should be prepared for the following costs: 

This is not counting the costs of books, which could be around $1,600 to $1,800. Student fees are roughly $1,400. Cost of living expenses such as on-campus housing, food, and utilities will also add up. UBC law has a cost calculator if you want to be more precise with budgeting. 

The tuition costs provided here are the latest based on the school’s official website. However, it’s subject to change as the school’s board of directors have the authority to increase tuition rates if they find it necessary. 

Financial aid 

University of British Columbia has several options for financial assistance. Every year, students can earn merit-based or need-based scholarships to help defray the cost of law school. In fact, around $1 million bursaries are awarded per year to students who demonstrate a need.  

Students who fall under specific categories may also seek specialized scholarships through third-party benefactors. Even nearby law firms contribute thousands to deserving students as a way of helping out the legal profession. Loans are also available at a national and provincial level with generous repayment conditions for students. 

Campus life 

Beyond studying, students at the University of British Columbia law can look forward to a supportive community. Law school is tough and UBC makes a point of ensuring that its students get their moments to relax and take a break. Student wellbeing is a priority as explained in this video: 

Students also gain access to all of the facilities available at UBC. This includes the law library with its extensive selection of legal references. Fitness centres are also available inside and outside the campus for students who want to keep their physical wellbeing in top form. 

Studying in UBC law 

Ultimately, studying in the University of British Columbia is not just a simple matter of applying to the school. With set standards and as one of the most sought-after schools in the world, applicants should be prepared for competition. This means ensuring that all your documents are in order and meeting minimum requirements for the program. 

University of British Columbia is just one of the three law schools in the province. If you want to expand your selection, you can look through all 24 law schools in Canada and compare them side by side before applying. 

If you’re still considering your options, make sure you’re subscribed to our legal education page to find out the most recent changes to Canada’s law schools.