If you have been considering studying in the law schools in Quebec, or have been dreaming about getting admitted into any one of the best law schools in Canada, then come close; we are about to make your dream come true!
Like other beautiful provinces in Canada like Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Alberta, Quebec too has some of the best law schools in Canada and North America.
There are a lot of great universities in Canada to study law. If you’re looking for the top law schools in Quebec, we’ve got you covered. The following list is based on the reputation ranking of the law schools in Quebec.
List of Law Schools in Quebec
While we’re on the topic of law schools, here’s a list of the ones in Quebec:
McGill University
McGill University is one of the most prestigious universities in Quebec and Canada. It’s also one of the top law schools in Canada (second only to the University of Toronto), and has a strong reputation internationally.
The university is located in downtown Montreal, where students can enjoy a vibrant city culture while pursuing their studies. McGill offers interdisciplinary education with courses taught by some of the world’s leading professors and researchers.
In addition to its academic prestige, McGill has a well-regarded faculty that train future lawyers as well as other professionals like doctors, teachers, and engineers. The tuition fee for domestic students to study law at McGill is CA$2,979.20, CA$8,730.30 for non-Quebec residents, and CA$55,389.30 for international students.
Université de Montréal
Université de Montréal is ranked in the top 150 universities in the world and the top 25 in Canada by QS World University Rankings. The school is also ranked number 2 in Quebec universities, as well as number 5 in Canada for Law programs.
The university offers a wide range of undergraduate degrees, including Economics, Philosophy, Psychology, Music, and many others. Most importantly for this guide however are their law programs. You can get your Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or Master of Laws (LLM) here, in one of the best law schools in Quebec.
The tuition cost for a law program at UdeM costs an average fee of CA$20,900. However, conditions apply; like the number of credit hours for a semester, program of study, and residential status.
Université Laval
Université Laval is a French-language university located in Quebec City. It was founded in 1852 and has since grown to become one of the most prestigious universities in Canada.
The school offers programs in law, engineering, health sciences, and business—and it’s also one of the oldest law schools in Quebec.
It has over 30,000 students on campus at any given time. The tuition for this school costs CA$3,829.26 for domestic (Quebec) resident students, CA$9,762.36 for non-Quebec students, CA$9,762.36 for French and Belgium students, and CA$23,240.16 – CA$24,010.86 for international students.
Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM)
Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) is the largest public French-language university in Quebec, with over 40,000 students on its three campuses in Montreal. UQAM offers a wide range of programs that lead to undergraduate or graduate degrees.
On average, only one out of five UQAM graduates are unemployed six months after they finish their studies; this figure is lower than that at McGill University or Concordia University (both less than two-thirds).
The popularity of UQAM can be attributed to several factors: it has strong ties with industry through its research institutes and offers many degree programs based on applied sciences; it also provides an array of career services available free for all students who may want additional help in finding what type of job will suit them best after graduation; finally, it does not have tuition fees for any level except for medicine which requires an entrance fee along with living expenses during residence if applicable.
The tuition fee to study law at UQAM is CA$3,910 for domestic students and CA$9,691 for “out-of-province” students.
Université de Sherbrooke
Université de Sherbrooke is a French-language university located in Quebec, Canada. The University of Sherbrooke is among the top-ranked law schools in Quebec.
The university offers a full-time program that is designed to give students the tools they need to succeed in the current job market.
The curriculum covers topics like administrative law, international and comparative law, constitutional law, and commercial law. Students also take courses on ethics, negotiation, and legal writing.
When it comes to choosing a career path after graduation, there are many options for graduates from this school.
Some graduates go into private practice or become government lawyers. Others choose to work for non-profit organizations or corporations as advocates and litigators.
The tuition at Sherbrooke is less than at other schools but the quality of education is just as high as other institutions that charge more money per year of study.
It costs CA$3,307 for domestic students living on-campus and studying at the school; while for domestic students living off-campus, it costs CA$7,830. For international students, studying at Sherbrooke will cost them well over CA$17,000 annually.
However, one downside of this law school in Quebec is the somewhat low number of international students in this school.
There is only 8 percent of international students (these include any other nation besides the US and neighboring North American countries) studying at Sherbrooke.
To put it into focus, the school has over 45,000 students enrolled; the reason for this is not known, but it is a safe bet to say that international students don’t get very lucky at this school.
Concordia University
Concordia University is a public English-language university in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It has two campuses, set approximately 7km apart: Sir George Williams Campus is the main campus in Downtown Montreal, in the Quartier Concordia neighborhood.
Loyola Campus is located near the former city of Outremont, Quebec and now occupies part of the building originally constructed for Loyola High School; it houses most of Concordia’s social sciences faculties.
Concordia offers a wide variety of academic programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels with over 300 fields of study offered.
A full range of professional degrees are also offered through affiliated schools such as engineering (Concordia Polytechnic), management (John Molson School of Business), music, or French literature; there are over 200 options available here.
The tuition cost at Concordia is about CA$11,850.
Herzing College
Herzing University is a private non-profit college that has been educating law students since 1991. It’s located in Montreal, Quebec and has several campuses throughout Canada.
It also boasts an acceptance rate of 48 percent, which means you’re more likely to be admitted here than at most other law schools in the province.
Herzing University graduates have access to job placement services through their career center and can participate in mock interviews with alumni from local firms or government agencies during their studies at no extra cost.
Law programs offered at Herzing College include a Legal Studies Diploma (both in-person and online), Justice Studies Diploma, and a Legal Assistant program. The tuition cost is estimated to be around CA$10,700 to CA$16,200, depending on your specifications.
Pre-Law Schools in Quebec
There are many law school hopefuls who, like you, have applied to a handful of schools across Canada. The good news is that some universities take into account your extracurriculars and work experience more than others. If this sounds like you, then consider applying to this pre-law program in Quebec:
Bishop’s University
Bishop’s University is a small, private university in Lennoxville, Quebec. It was founded by the Anglican Church of Canada and today remains affiliated with it.
The university has an undergraduate enrollment of 2,150 students and a graduate student population of 1,100. Its law program is not ranked by any major publication or ranking agency; however, its Bachelor of Arts program was ranked as one of the top 10 arts degrees by MoneySense magazine.
How long is a law school in Quebec?
Law schools in Quebec take 3 years, and 4 years in Canada.
Comparatively, law schools in the United States typically take 5 years to complete, while Europe’s law programs are generally 6-year programs.
How many law schools are there in Quebec?
You may be wondering how many law schools are in Quebec, and the answer will likely surprise you.
There are 7! McGill University, Université de Montréal, Université Laval, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), Université de Sherbrooke and Concordia University all offer law degrees in the province of Quebec.
The seventh school is Herzing College which offers a one-year diploma program for those who already have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university but want to change careers by becoming a lawyer.
How much does law school cost in Quebec?
Tuition fees for law schools in Quebec are comparable to those of other law schools in Canada.
The average tuition fee for all Quebec universities is $6,620 once you factor in living expenses and other costs.
The University of Montreal has the lowest tuition rate at just over $3,300 per year while McGill University charges the highest amount at just over $8,000 per year.
Other fees you may be expected to pay include application fees ($0-$200), matriculation fees ($0-$400) and incidental fees ($0-$1,000).
In addition to these standard costs, there may be additional expenses such as textbooks and course materials (usually ranging from $300-$500), travel costs (if applicable), and parking passes if required by your school’s campus regulations.
The cost of attending law school can vary depending on whether or not you have financial aid/scholarships available from your institution as well as from external sources like private organizations or government programs such as OSAP/OUAC loans etc.
How do I get a law degree in Quebec?
If you’ve decided that you want to be a lawyer and live in Quebec, here are the steps you need to take:
- Apply to law school. You will need to have completed at least two years of undergraduate studies before applying, so if you’re still in high school or college right now, this might not be the right time for it.
If it is something that interests you, consider taking some extra courses in English or French as well as taking part-time jobs that involve interacting with people (i.e., receptionist).
- Take the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). The LSAT measures your ability as an English speaker and writer as well as your logical thinking skills—and while there are no French tests available yet (and they might never appear), there’s no reason why non-French speakers should be at a disadvantage if they apply themselves during their first two years of undergraduate studies.
The test is administered four times per year over two days; each day lasts six hours with breaks provided between sections so don’t worry about being stuck indoors all day long.
How much does a lawyer make in Quebec?
A lawyer’s salary is a hot topic—and that interest can be traced to the fact that lawyers make a lot of money.
According to Indeed, the average salary for a Quebec lawyer is $74,941. The median starting pay for graduates with no previous experience is $60,000 per year.
In addition to their income potential, law school also offers promising careers in finance and business administration as well as lesser-known opportunities like real estate development or entertainment law.
For those who choose to take on the challenge of earning a J.D., they will find themselves saddled with significant debt upon graduation; however, many who enter this career field are willing to take on this burden because they see it as an investment in their future earnings potential and security.
What is the cheapest law school in Quebec?
In the order of increasing costs, here are the cheapest law schools in Quebec:
- Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM)
- Concordia University
- Herzing College
- Université de Sherbrooke
- Université de Montréal
- Université Laval, and finally
- McGill University.
Do I need LSAT for law schools in Quebec?
There are some countries where you can apply to law school without the LSAT. In Canada, you don’t need to take the LSAT in order to apply.
However, if you want to study law in Australia (or anywhere outside of Canada), you will have to take the LSAT and get a minimum score that is set by each school individually.
Generally speaking, most Canadian universities tend not to ask for an LSAT score when applying from inside Canada.
There are two main reasons for this:
- The first reason is that most Quebec students already have their undergraduate degrees before entering law school (pre-law degree), so they do not need an additional test like the LSAT (mostly) because it does not measure specific skills relevant for practicing law.
- Rather, it measures general reasoning ability which may or may not be useful depending on whether someone wants their careers focused more on academics or practice work instead of both areas equally balanced out between them altogether.
How hard is it to get into a law school in Quebec?
The admissions process is competitive, but not impossible.
The average GPA of a student admitted to a law school in Quebec is around 3.5, and the average LSAT score of a student admitted to a law school in Quebec is around 147.
If you have achieved these kinds of numbers, don’t expect an easy ride in your first-year—law school professors expect their students to be smart and capable from the get-go.
You will need to be able to learn quickly, think critically and write proficiently if you want to succeed at law school.
Can I get into a law school in Quebec with a 3.0 GPA?
If you have a 3.0 GPA, you will have a hard time getting into a law school in Quebec. In fact, the majority of law schools in Quebec require that students have at least a 3.5 GPA or higher to be considered for admission.
However, there are some exceptions: McGill University and Université de Montréal require a minimum of 2nd class standing (73 percent average).
The University of Laval also places no restrictions on GPAs for applicants from Quebec who wish to study law in French; however, international applicants must have at least an 89 percent average on their bachelor’s degree if they wish to apply directly from another country without having studied in French-speaking countries first (for example, Canada).
For the most part, though, if your GPA is below 3rd class standing, then it may be tough for you to get into one of Quebec’s top universities – even if their admission requirements seem low compared with other provinces.
How hard is LSAT in Canada?
The LSAT is a standardized test that law schools in Canada use to evaluate applicants’ reasoning and writing skills.
While the LSAT exam is not exactly important to applying to most law schools in Quebec, the same cannot be said for other countries.
If you’re planning on applying to any other countries or states, then you should probably take an international version of the exam (or another exam).
Is it worth going to law school in Canada?
If you’re passionate about a high-earning and fulfilling like law, then why not give it a shot?
Law is a very attractive career, and if you don’t mind the stress that comes with it (like everything else), then we suggest that you go for it. Here are more reasons:
- Law school is an investment. A good school will help you get a job and make connections with people who can help you throughout your career.
- It’s a good career choice. The average salary for lawyers in Canada is about $75,000 per year and the number of legal jobs is growing every year as more companies expand their operations into new countries.
- It’s a great place to network and make friends. when else can you be surrounded by so many people who are just like you?
Wrapping It Up
Although it’s a good idea to be strategic about which law school you choose, the most important thing is to find a program that suits your needs.
Choose the best university for your learning style and goals, and let that guide your next steps forward. Good luck on your journey.