Are you searching for the best law schools in Montreal to study in? We have ranked the best law schools in Montreal on this list.
When you read further, you will find out why these schools have been selected to be the best law schools in Montreal, and perhaps, Canada.
Montreal is a wonderful city to study law. There are many great law schools in Montreal that offer both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Canada. If you’re looking for the best place to study law in Montreal, here are our top 4 recommendations. Keep on reading to find out more.
A Brief Overview of Canadian Legal Studies
Students in Canada who want to become lawyers can choose from many different specializations, such as international law, commercial law, the law of causes and effects, intellectual property law, and environmental law, to name a few. Canada is home to a number of well-known schools, including law schools like the University of Calgary, St. Thomas University, Cambrian College, and Western University.
When students study law in Canada, they can improve their English skills in an environment where most people speak English as their first language. They also learn more about Canada’s legal system.
If a Canadian student decides to major in law in any of the top law schools in Montreal for example, they will learn useful skills like how to act quickly, how to analyze things carefully, and how to know a lot of things.
The Canadian Law Schools
In Canada, you can get a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in the field of law. After four years of study, both degrees are given.
Most programs that lead to a Bachelor of Laws degree (LLB) take three years to finish. Students will learn about all of the different legal professions with the help of real lawyers who are still working.
Because of this, students take part in activities that help them use their legal knowledge, such as writing legislation, mediating, negotiating, and other similar activities.
International students can get a Master of Laws degree in about two years after they finish their Bachelor of Laws degree. When students finish this program, they will not only know a lot about the basics of the legal system, but they will also be able to practice and improve their practical legal skills.
In addition, it works with businesses to help you learn the skills you need for more difficult fields of study like public law, private law, and others. If you want to learn about law, Canada can be an ideal ice-breaker for you; plus some of the law schools in Montreal are even among the best in the world.
Students from other countries don’t have to follow any rules or meet any limits. Study Direct Stream visas are currently accepted and encouraged by the U.S. (SDS). Since then, this program has made it possible for students who wouldn’t have been able to study in Canada otherwise because of money to do so.
Here are some of the benefits that come with putting the SDS policy into place:
• You don’t have to show any proof of how much money you have.
• Making a study plan is not required.
• You can send your application to any school or college in Canada.
Benefits of Studying Law in Canada
Some of the best educational institutions in the world are in Canada. Students who study law in Canada have the chance to learn the legal knowledge, practical skills, and ways to express themselves that they will need to do well in school and on the job in the future.
Because of this, law students from all over the world often choose to study in Canada. Law degrees earned in Canada are highly regarded in other countries, which gives graduates a wide range of job options. As a result, when students finish their education, they have a wide range of career options to choose from.
- You can get a promotion at your job.
The legal field is consistently ranked as one of the highest-paying jobs in Canada, even though it is one of the industries that is having trouble finding workers.
- You have a wide range of options to select from.
After getting their degrees, students can choose from a wide range of jobs, such as Legal Innovation Commissioner, Director of Public Relations Office, Lawyer, Researcher, Business Management, Investment and Securities, Judge, Full Secretary, and many more. You could also work at a well-known law firm or as legal counsel for a business.
Requirements For Canadian Law Schools
In Canada, you need an LLB, which stands for Bachelor of Laws, before you can work as a lawyer. It is often taught in schools like universities, and the requirements to get into the field are higher than those for some other jobs.
Attorneys must not only know a lot about the law but also follow the highest standards of professional ethics. As a direct result of this, it takes a lot of time and effort to become an attorney in Canada, both in the classroom and out in the field.
Also, it’s important to remember that the requirements to become a lawyer in each province and territory of Canada are different. Because of this, you need to learn more about the state where you want to be a lawyer in the future. For example, if you live in the Canadian province of Quebec and want to be a lawyer, you have to go to law school in the state of Quebec.
The Top Law Schools in Montreal
Now, here are the best law schools in Montreal recommended for you:
McGill University Faculty of Law
McGill University is one of Canada’s top universities, and its Faculty of Law is one of the top law schools in Montreal and Canada generally. McGill is a research university and its Faculty of Law is known for its research in international law, law and economics, and health law.
Pros:
McGill has a large number of scholarship funds available to students which can help you cover your tuition costs while studying at McGill. The faculty also offers an intensive French language program that allows you to transition into French-language studies after completing an initial period of English-language instruction.
Tuition for McGill costs CA$2,391 for local students living in Montreal, CA$7,402 for domestic or Canadian students, and CA$29,200 for international students.
Cons:
The cost of living can be higher than in other Canadian cities such as Toronto or Vancouver; however, if you’re willing to commute from less expensive suburbs outside Montreal’s city limits (like Laval or Longueil), it may still be worth considering this option if you want access to its excellent international reputation among legal professionals worldwide.
Université de Montréal – Faculté de droit
Université de Montréal – Faculté de droit is one of the most prestigious law schools in Montreal and Canada, and it’s not just because it has a reputation for being one of the best law schools in Canada—it also has a reputation for being one of the best law schools in the world. The main campus is located in Montreal, Quebec, and is home to over 8,000 students enrolled in more than 200 programs across 10 faculties.
The faculty includes more than 250 professors who are dedicated to providing students with an excellent education through their unique teaching methods and research expertise.
Faculty members teach courses on topics ranging from commercial arbitration to environmental law to international trade relations. They also conduct research into numerous areas including public health policy, administrative law reform strategies, constitutional studies, and human rights issues affecting minority groups around the world.
The tuition cost for UMontreal is estimated at CA$10,820.80 per quarter (or per term) for international students. You can estimate your tuition cost here.
University of Quebec in Montreal (UQAM) – Faculty of law
The University of Quebec, Montreal – Faculty of law is a public research university. It was founded in 1968 and has more than 5,000 students. The school offers a variety of programs, including legal studies, health sciences, business management, and education. They also offer degrees in law at the bachelor’s level, or at the master’s or doctoral levels. They have majors such as:
- Business Law
- Civil Law
- Common-Law
The tuition cost to study law at UQAM is about CA$5,000 per year depending on your province.
Concordia University
Concordia University is a public comprehensive university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It has two campuses: Sir George Williams Campus and Loyola Campus. The campus is home to over 30 research centers and institutes, including the Concordia Institute for Information Systems Engineering.
With its diverse student body of over 35,000 students from 150 countries around the world, Concordia offers more than 50 undergraduate programs in 11 faculties (including medicine) and three schools: School of Community & Public Affairs, John Molson School of Business, Faculty of Arts & Science, Continuing Education, and International Programs.
The law program at Concordia University is ranked 4th among law schools in Montreal by Maclean’s magazine for 2019 with an employment rate after graduation of 88 percent for 2018 graduates. The average cost per year is $33600 CAD (roughly $26,000 USD) including tuition fees and other expenses such as textbooks but excluding housing costs, unless you live at home while going to school or rent a room near campus instead of living in the student residence hall(s).
The tuition fee at Concordia University costs about CA$9,480 for 12 credits in a semester.
So, Which Law School Is the Best in Montreal?
McGill is the oldest, largest, most expensive, and most prestigious law school in Montreal. McGill has been ranked as one of the best universities in Canada and it’s no surprise that their law school is just as good. The faculty is full of professors who are well-known authors or have had experience working at important places such as the Supreme Court of Canada, UN bodies, governments, and many more.
The courses offered by McGill cover many different areas including constitutional law, criminal law and procedure, and international trade law which will help prepare you for your career after graduation. In addition to that, all students receive access to a study-abroad program during their time at McGill which means they can spend up to a semester studying at another university such as Oxford University.
Popular FAQs About Law Schools in Montreal
Q: How Long Does It Take to Become a Lawyer in Montreal?
You can earn your degree in 3 years, but depending on your performance during the first two years, you may be eligible for an accelerated program and finish law school faster. The average time to become a lawyer is 7 years.
Q: What is the Easiest Law School in Montreal to Get Into?
McGill University has accepted applicants with undergraduate degrees from other countries and from Canada’s top universities such as Harvard or Yale into their law school. However, many international students apply through the non-residential track (which means they don’t live on campus). Despite being one of the most prestigious law schools in Montreal, McGill is equally one of the easiest law schools in Montreal to get into.
McGill has a competitive GPA of 3.7 and LSAT of 165. However, this does not mean that you should not apply if your GPA is lower than 3.7 or your LSAT score is below 165 as there may be other factors such as your personal statement and references that could help you get into McGill Law School.
Q: What is the Cheapest Law School in Montreal?
As a student, you should think about the long-term costs of your education. The cheapest law school in Montreal is McGill University. Tuition at this university is $13,000/year and they are ranked as the best law school in Montreal.
McGill is a public university located downtown Montreal, which makes it convenient for students to get around town. Their reputation is also very good among employers who value the degree from McGill.
Q: How Much Does a Lawyer Make in Montreal?
You may be surprised to learn that the average salary for lawyers in Montreal is actually quite comparable to those working in other parts of the country. For example, the average salary for lawyers working in Calgary is $105,084 per year. In Toronto, it’s $93,796; in Vancouver and Edmonton it’s roughly $103,187 and $99,789 respectively. Lawyers in Montreal earn $102,674 on an average per year, according to collected data from Indeed.
However, if you are looking at entering a career as a lawyer outside of Canada or even Europe then these figures will not be relevant as much higher salaries can be expected due to the high demand for legal services overseas.
Q: Is Law School Difficult?
Law school is not for the faint of heart. It’s not for the lazy, and it’s definitely not something you can do without putting in a lot of hard work. But if you’re up to the challenge and willing to put in the time, then law school might be right for you.
Q: Is Studying Law in Canada Worth It?
Law schools in Canada are great choices for anyone interested in practicing law, living and raising a family, or retiring. There are many reasons to consider Canada as the place where you want to study law.
- Location: Montreal is located on the shores of the St. Lawrence River, with easy access to both the United States and Europe.
- Cost: Canadian law schools cost less than American schools because they have fewer students and faculty members per capita than U.S. colleges and universities (according to Law School Transparency). The average cost of tuition at a Canadian school was $24,000 per year in 2018—significantly lower than most American schools’ tuition costs.
Q: Can a Foreigner Become a Lawyer in Canada?
To put it simply, yes you can. To practice law in Canada as a profession, then:
- You will need to have a degree from a law school in Canada.
- You must pass the bar exam.
- You will need to get licensed as a lawyer in your province or territory (in Canada) by applying through the provincial or territorial law society.
Wrapping It Up
If you’re thinking about studying law in Montreal, make sure you know what you’re getting into. While it’s true that McGill University is one of Canada’s most prestigious universities and has a good reputation for law students, there are also many other great options available to choose from. Do your research and make an informed decision before enrolling in any program.