Looking to study law in highly-rated law schools in Ontario? This is the list of the 10 best law schools in Ontario.
A career in law begins with finding the school that is the best fit for you among many law schools in Ontario. Interestingly, these law schools in Ontario are some of the bests in the world.
A degree from any of the law schools in Ontario means that you can work anywhere in the world as long as you pass those countries’ bar exams and meet the requirements.
Also, as an aspirant or law student, going to one of the best law schools in Ontario should be your top priority. This is because these top-tier law schools in Ontario will prepare you for a successful law career after graduation.
What Does Law School Mean?
A law school is an institution specializing in legal education, often involved as part of a process to become a lawyer within a given jurisdiction. On the other hand, it is a school that trains people to become lawyers.
It is noteworthy that several law schools in Ontario operate as faculty or as a school affiliated with a Canadian public university.
Also, before applying for admission, most law schools in Ontario demand at least three years of university study.
Without further ado, let’s dive into our list of top 15 law schools in Ontario.
Top 15 Most Preferred Law Schools in Ontario
- University of Toronto
- York University
- University of Ottawa
- Queens University
- Western university
- Carleton University
- McMaster University
- University of Windsor
- Ryerson University
- Lakehead University
Faculty of Law | University of Toronto
- Location: Toronto, Ontario.
- Acceptance Rate: 43 percent.
The Faculty of Law at the University of Toronto is one of the most prestigious law schools in Ontario. It has consistently been ranked within the top 10 law schools in Canada and the top 40 worldwide.
The faculty offers undergraduate and graduate programs, including a combined degree program.
The undergraduate program is a three-year course that leads to an Honors Bachelor of Arts (Juris Doctor) degree, while the graduate program is a two-year course that leads to a Master of Laws degree.
The faculty offers courses in constitutional law, criminal law, family law, international law, natural resources law, property law, and taxation.
In addition to these courses, students can choose from more than 100 electives to complement their legal education.
Also, to study law at the University of Toronto, you will have a cumulative GPA of 3.87 in your first degree and pay an average tuition fee of $36,720; making UToronto one of the most expensive law schools in Ontario.
Osgoode Hall Law School | York University
- Location: Toronto, Ontario.
- Acceptance Rate: 27 percent.
Osgoode Hall Law School at York University is one of the top law schools in Ontario. It has been ranked as one of the best law schools in Ontario for the past six years, and students have a 97% bar passage rate on the first attempt.
The school offers both full-time and part-time programs in law, including:
- Undergraduate degree programs leading to the LLB Honors, JSD, or JD (Doctorate of Jurisprudence) degrees.
- Graduate studies lead to the Master of Laws (LLM) degree or Doctorate of Jurisprudence (JD) degree.
The law school also offers a range of optional courses which are useful for those who wish to supplement their legal education with specific areas of study such as corporate governance or real estate development.
You must have a GPA of 3.69 to study law at this University, while the school tuition for law students is $28,649.22.
The Common Law Section | University of Ottawa
- Location: Ottawa, Ontario.
- Acceptance Rate: 24 percent.
The Common Law Section is a part of the Faculty of Law at the University of Ottawa. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as professional development courses. It is equally one of the most prestigious law schools in Ontario due to the difficulty in getting in.
The Common Law Section is home to over 50 professors and over 1,000 students from Canada and around the world. It offers a range of programs that include law, political science, economics, and history courses. Its graduates go on to work in government, international organizations, law firms, and other areas of practice.
The Common Law Section provides students with a well-rounded legal education in various areas such as constitutional law, civil litigation, criminal law, international law, public law, human rights law, commercialization, and corporate governance.
However, you must have a cumulative grade point average of 80% to gain admission to study law at the University of Ottawa. While the average tuition for law students is $10,691.67.
Faculty of Law | Queen’s University
- Location: Kingston, Ontario.
- Acceptance Rate: 42 percent.
Queen’s University is a world-class research university located in Kingston, Ontario. Queens’ Faculty of Law has been consistently ranked as one of the top 20 law schools in Ontario, and it offers a wide range of undergraduate, and graduate degree programs in a variety of subjects.
The Faculty of Law at Queen’s University offers several different courses, including courses on Tort Law, Property Law, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law and Procedure, Contract Law, Family Law, International Business Transactions, and Disputes Resolution.
The Faculty of Law is housed in a beautiful building that has been called “one of Canada’s finest examples of Gothic Revival architecture.”
The law school also offers various extracurricular activities for students including clubs and societies as well as events such as lectures by visiting speakers from around the world.
Therefore, to study law at this University, you must have an average of 3.72 in your first degree. You will also be required to pay $21,480.34 as a tuition fee.
Western Law School | Western University
- Location: London, Ontario.
- Acceptance Rate: 58 percent.
Western University has a high Canadian enrollment rate. Thus, making it one of the law schools in Ontario preferred by Canadian students. Additionally, Western University’s Western Law School focuses on business law in the global environment.
As one of the leading business law schools in Ontario, Western offers a wide range of perspectives on business law, including economic, public law, and social justice perspectives.
Western University’s law school has a long-standing reputation for excellence in business law, which complements its equally strong programs in many other areas, including international law, torts, insurance law, intellectual property, constitutional law, and legal ethics.
However, you must have a 3.7 GPA to get into this law school, while the average tuition is $22,390.
Department of Law and Legal Studies | Carleton University
- Location: Ottawa, Ontario.
- Acceptance Rate: 21 percent.
Carleton University is another highly-rated option for law schools in Ontario. Carleton University is widely credited as being the first law school in Canada to offer an MA degree in Legal Studies, and only the second school to offer a Ph.D.
But that aside, students will enjoy the rigorous interdisciplinary options available to them in Carleton’s legal studies system.
Carleton is no doubt, among the best law schools in Ontario. And the difficulty in getting into the school proves it.
Carleton has a 22 percent acceptance rate, making it difficult to get into. Indeed, only the best of the best students are accepted into Carleton. Furthermore, Carleton has over 30 full-time professors working as researchers in the institution, which makes it a great place for progressive learning.
The average tuition is $29,022.88.
Justice, Political Philosophy, and Law Program | McMaster University
- Location: Hamilton, Ontario.
- Acceptance Rate: 59 percent.
The Justice, Political Philosophy, and Law (JPPL) program at McMaster University aims to develop a deep grasp of the law and legal institutions that make up our social environment, as well as the political and moral theories that address the worth and justice of these institutions.
For that purpose, McMaster’s JPPL program provides a diverse set of courses in law, policy, global politics, political philosophy, moral theory, feminist jurisprudence, human rights, globalization, international law, and war and peace to students.
Furthermore, JPPL’s multidisciplinary core, which is organized around the topics of Policy and Law, Political and Moral Philosophy, and Human Rights and Global Justice, guarantees a comprehensive and integrated learning experience that complements the Program’s major emphasis.
Simply put, McMaster University has one of the best law programs in Ontario focused on grooming its students to become respected law practitioners and educators.
The average tuition fee to study law at McMaster University is $14,742. As a prospective student, you can also estimate your expenses here.
Faculty of Law | University of Windsor
- Location: Windsor, Ontario.
- Acceptance Rate: 65 percent.
The University of Windsor’s Law Faculty operates LTEC. The Law, Technology, and Entrepreneurship Clinic (LTEC) is a clinical endeavor run by many law professors that specialize in technology law at Windsor Law School.
LTEC’s mission is to provide a unique clinical legal education experience to upper-year law students, while also supporting business and innovation in the Windsor-Essex region.
LTEC offers free community legal education programs on topics such as business and intellectual property law (patents, copyright, and trademarks). In addition, LTEC offers legal services to eligible customers in the Windsor-Essex area in the areas of commercial law and intellectual property law.
LTEC’s performance has exploded in recent years, and it will remain a key academic and research priority for the faculty for the foreseeable future.
The University of Windsor also offers dedicated specialty law programs and dual Juris Doctor.
Prospective students with a 3.0 GPA can expect to get admitted into the school, given the moderate rate of acceptance.
Finally, we estimated the average tuition cost of studying in this law school in Ontario to be $16,027.57.
Lincoln Alexander School of Law | Ryerson University
- Location: Toronto, Ontario.
- Acceptance Rate: 80 percent.
Lincoln Alexander School of Law at Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University) is one of the innovative law schools in Ontario that aim to provide students with accessible and practical legal education.
Located in downtown Toronto, the school’s location is convenient for students who wish to pursue careers in law in Canada’s largest city. Ryerson University has a reputation for being one of the most innovative universities in Canada, and its School of Law is no exception.
The faculty at Lincoln Alexander School of Law at Ryerson University includes some of the most respected legal minds in Canada.
With an emphasis on practical applications and experiential learning, students can expect a rigorous but rewarding experience that will prepare them well for their future careers as lawyers. Lincoln Alexander School of Law at Ryerson University is a member of the Association of American Law Schools, which means that it has met the highest standards for legal education in the United States.
It has been accredited by the Canadian Council on Legal Education since its inception.
The school boasts a student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1 and an average class size of 50 students. Its students are supported by a diverse faculty, who hail from more than 15 countries across four continents and bring with them varied professional experience.
At Ryerson University, no minimum GPA is required for entering the Lincoln Alexander Law School.
However, this is one of the most expensive law schools in Ontario, with an average tuition fee of $23,066 per year.
Bora Laskin Faculty of Law | Lakehead University
- Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario.
- Acceptance Rate: 82 percent.
Coming last on our list, and by far the easiest law school in Ontario to get into is the Bora Laskin Law School.
The Bora Laskin Faculty of Law at Lakehead University is one of Canada’s top-ranking law schools. It is a highly ranked institution with an outstanding reputation for preparing lawyers who are socially conscious and ethically responsible.
The Bora Laskin Faculty of Law at Lakehead University offers an innovative and experiential learning environment that fosters critical thought, meaningful dialogue, and professional development.
The faculty is located on the shores of Lake Superior in Thunder Bay, Ontario—a vibrant city with a rich history and a diverse community. The faculty is committed to being a part of the community.
Graduate lawyers of the Bora Laskin Faculty are known to be equipped with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience necessary to become effective leaders within the legal profession.
They have access to an extensive network of alumni who can help them navigate their career path from day one after graduation. The average cost of tuition is $7,243 to $9,009.
Requirements to study law in Canada
To be admitted to the practice of law, the requirement in most provinces is that:
- The candidate must possess a law degree from a recognized law school.
- The candidate must complete a period of apprenticeship as an Articling Clerk under the supervision of a qualified member of the Provincial Bar Association.
- In addition, admission to the bar in Ontario generally requires graduation from a civil law school, followed by a period of attendance at law school and a period to complete the stage, which is the civil law equivalent of Articling.
However, Bar admission procedures and Bar admission exams are being monitored and re-evaluated in Canada.
The bar society in the particular province should always be contacted regarding the structure and format of their course and exam before graduating from law school.
Becoming a Lawyer in Ontario
Typically, studying in any of the listed law schools in Ontario to become a practicing lawyer will require the following procedures:
- Review the entrance standards for law schools in Ontario so you know what to expect.
- Perform well academically in at least three years of a university pre-law program. Completing a four-year degree can help you stand out in your application.
- Prepare for and take the LSAT (Law School Admission Test).
- Submit a law school application.
In Canada, there are 20 law schools. The Law School Admission Council provides advice on selecting the best law school for you.
- Complete your law degree successfully (usually three years).
- Finish the licensing procedure (which can vary by province or country). In Ontario, you must:
Pass two license exams,
Get practical experience,
Have an excellent character, and
Submit the required payments and forms. - After graduating, you would attend a ceremony in which you receive your degree and swear or affirm an oath to practice law.
What is the average tuition fee for law schools in Canada?
To study law in Canada, tuition fees are charged based on the province in which the school is located. However, the average tuition is $13,000 – $25,000.
Which study mode is better? In-person vs Online study?
Many law schools in Canada have a classroom study mode. However, a good number of them have study modalities both online and in the classroom. Eventually, it all plays down to which method you think will be efficient for you.
Most students prefer learning in-person (on-campus) because it aids their learning capabilities. Seeing other students, making friends, and competing are some of the reasons students prefer to study on campus.
However, if you run a busy schedule, then you may be better suited for online classes (which may be slightly more expensive, depending on which law school in Ontario you select).
Can international students study law in Canada?
Yes, of course, many international students are currently in Canadian law schools.
How long is a law school in Canada?
It generally takes three years to complete law school. After graduating from high school, you will complete at least three years of undergraduate study before applying to law school.
How much does a lawyer make in ontario per year?
According to Indeed, practicing lawyers make as much as $91,809 per year in Ontario, which is twice as much as the national average for a family income.
However, several factors influence what lawyers make as annual income including their level of experience, area, and expertise.
Wrapping It Up
In hindsight, deciding to study law at any of the law schools in Ontario is a very pleasant thing.
There are numerous law schools in Ontario, and some of them are certainly better than others. If you’re thinking about enrolling in law school, or you already graduated and now want to find out how the school you just graduated from stacks up against the rest of the competition, then this list can help.
This is by no means a definitive survey of all the law schools in Ontario, but it can be a good starting point for anyone who wants to do their research on relative quality.