Admissions Requirements

Canadian Common Law LLM

To be considered for admission you must demonstrate that you have met the following requirements.  Note that these are minimum requirements and meeting them does not guarantee admission to the program.

• A Bachelor of Laws degree or its equivalent from a university outside Canada or a Bachelor of Civil Laws (not a common law degree) from a Canadian university.  You may apply during your final year of studies if your degree will be conferred before you begin the LLM program.

• An overall B (75%) average or equivalent. If you have 5 years or more of relevant practice experience, we will consider an exemption from this requirement. Learn more about how York Graduate Admissions assesses international educational credential equivalency.
• If your first language is not English, you must supply proof of language proficiency as set out in the table below.  You may be exempted from this requirement if you have completed at least two years of full-time study at an accredited university in a country (or institution) where English is the only official language of instruction

International students admitted into the LLM in Canadian Common Law are conditionally admitted based on completion of preparatory courses in July and August, before the program’s credit courses begin.

The minimum language score requirements for admission to the Canadian Common Law LLM program are as follows:

Note: Results must be sent to our office by the issuing institution in a sealed envelope to be considered official.

If you are admitted with a 7.0 IELTS, you will be required to successfully complete a one-month long International Business Law Preparatory Course.

Pre-LLM Foundations Program

For internationally trained lawyer or law graduates that don’t meet the minimum admission requirements, Osgoode’s Pre-LLM Foundations Program is designed to provide you with the language, analytical and writing skills needed to succeed in your studies and beyond. Our program provides the training you need to develop and perfect your skills in a small-group setting, with tutoring and support built-in. The program is also ideal for prospective NCA candidates looking to improve their language and writing skills before embarking on the accreditation process.

Other LLM Specializations

To be considered for admission, you must meet the following requirements. Note that these are minimum requirements and meeting them does not guarantee admission to the program:

• An LLB or JD degree with an overall B average (or equivalent). Applicants with less than a B average in the LLB or JD will be considered provided they also have 5 years or more of relevant practice experience.
• If your first language is not English, you must supply proof of language proficiency as set out in the table below. 
• You may be exempted from this requirement if you have completed at least two years of full-time study at an accredited university in a country (or institution) where English is the only official language of instruction.

The minimum language score requirements for admission to other LLM Specializations are as follows:

If you do not have an LLB or JD degree, you will be considered provided you have a university degree, a superior academic record and significant work experience related to the specialization for which you have applied. Graduate degree preferred. Note however that the General Law LLM is only open to applicants who hold an LLB or JD.

All those admitted to the LLM who do not have a Canadian LLB or JD degree will be conditionally admitted based on completion of the one-week intensive course Introduction to Graduate Legal Studies (GS Law 6149).

Courses in the Professional LLM do not fulfill the Federation of Law Societies’ National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) requirements. For a program that is designed to meet the NCA requirements, see the LLM in Canadian Common Law.

If you are admitted to the program and you elect to attend via live videoconference (where applicable), you will be required to purchase the hardware and software necessary for participation from OPD at a cost in addition to regular tuition fees.

LLM Single Course Enrollment (SCE)

You may apply only for courses currently listed as available for Single Course Enrollment on our LLM Single Courses page.

Canadian Common Law LLM Core Courses

For admissions to a single course, individuals must have an LLB or JD Degree from a university outside Canada or a Civil Law degree from a Canadian University as well as proof of NCA credential assessment. Enrollment is subject to space availability.

For all other Professional LLM Courses

For admission to a single course, individuals must have an LLB or JD degree, be called to the bar, and have at least two years of full-time, relevant professional experience. Enrollment is subject to space availability.

SCE Language Requirements

If your first language is not English, you must supply proof of language proficiency as set out in the table below. You may be exempted from this requirement if you have completed at least two years of full-time study at an accredited university in a country (or institution) where English is the only official language of instruction .

The minimum language score requirements for Single Course Enrolment are as follows: