About the University of Toronto Faculty of Law
The Faculty of Law at the University of Toronto is an exceptional legal learning community. A student body with diverse ethnic, cultural, political and socio-economic backgrounds, experiences and interests complements the academic strength and intellectual ambition of our faculty.
Each year we produce a class of Juris Doctor (JD) graduates with outstanding employment prospects by exposing our talented students to a deep curriculum taught by professors with international reputations for scholarly excellence, all in close proximity to Canada’s leading legal and financial markets.
- Read more about our history, inclusivity, diversity and recent JD class profiles.
- Indigenous candidates are encouraged to learn about our extensive array of opportunities and support by connecting early to our Indigenous Initiatives Office.
- Make lasting social and intellectual bonds with your peers by participating in an active and engaging student life.
- Explore the impressive range of courses in 20 legal focus areas delivered in lecture, seminar, intensive and practicum formats by outstanding legal scholars and practitioners.
- Discover the variety and scope of hands-on experiential learning outside of the classroom through clinics, externships, internships, mooting and volunteer programs.
- Be reassured by our exceptional preparation and skill development resources for attaining a successful and rewarding career after graduation.
Program Information
First-year Programs
Juris Doctor (JD)
The JD program provides the fundamental education required to pursue a career in law.
Our program challenges students to think broadly and deeply about the law, prepares them both in and out of the classroom to excel in the fields of their choice, and provides them with the competitive opportunities that only a top-ranked program can offer. In return, we rely on our students to carry on the traditions of excellence and service that have earned this Faculty its place among the top legal educations in the world.
We strive to ensure that our community is welcoming, accessible and inclusive. Our vision is a legal profession that fully reflects the diversity of our society.
JD Combined Programs
The Faculty of Law partners with other faculties and departments at the University of Toronto to offer several special combined degree programs.
Combined programs allow students to complete the JD program and 1 partner graduate degree program together. The combination refers to being registered in the 2 programs simultaneously rather than in a single packaged program of courses with blended content. With the combined registration, you complete the 2 degrees sooner than if you took them separately.
For combined programs, you must apply separately to each program by its respective application deadlines and procedures and satisfy its respective admission requirements. The partner program will apply its own admission standards for selection to its program.
In your OLSAS application, select both the appropriate JD program (first-year or transfer) and the desired combined program(s) (e.g., JD/MBA) as your program choices.
The University of Toronto currently offers the following combined programs:
JD/MA
- Master of Arts – Criminology (3 years)
- Master of Arts – Economics (3 years)
- Master of Arts – English (3 years)
- Master of Arts – European and Russian Affairs (4 years)
JD/MBA
- Master of Business Administration (4 years)
JD/MGA
- Master of Global Affairs (4 years)
JD/MI
- Master of Information (4 years)
JD/MPP
- Master of Public Policy (4 years)
JD/MSW
- Master of Social Work (3 years with a BSW completed
4 years without a BSW)
JD/PhD
- Doctor of Philosophy – Criminology
- Doctor of Philosophy – Economics
- Doctor of Philosophy – Philosophy
- Doctor of Philosophy – Political Science
As a prospective combined program student, be aware that because the first year of each of the combined programs includes only courses at the Faculty of Law, it is possible to apply to add the non-JD partner program while enrolled in the first year of the JD program.
In addition to these combined programs, we offer several graduate certificate and collaborative programs that you can add to your JD studies. During your initial academic year of enrollment in the JD, apply internally at the law school and not through OLSAS.
Certificate and collaborative programs include:
- Certificate in Aboriginal Legal Studies
- Certificate in Environmental Studies
- Certificate in Sexual Diversity and Gender Studies
- Collaborative Program in Jewish Studies
Upper-year Programs
JD Transfer
Candidates who are in their first year of a JD or Bachelor of Law (LLB) program at another common law school (Canadian or non-Canadian) may seek to transfer into the second year of our JD program and proceed to complete our JD.
JD Combined Programs
Candidates who are in their first year of a JD or LLB program at another common law school (Canadian or non-Canadian) may seek to complete both our JD and a combined partner degree, by transfer into the second year of our JD program and, separately, entry into the first year of a partner program.
JD Visiting Student on a Letter of Permission (LOP)
With the written permission of their law school, candidates who are in their second year of a JD or LLB program at another common law school (Canadian or non-Canadian) may seek to attend for 1 semester or an academic year as a non-degree student, to study from an approved set of courses.
National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) Courses
Regardless of your immigration status in Canada, if you have a law degree from outside Canada or a civil law degree from the province of Quebec and are seeking to qualify to practice law in a common law province in Canada, you must first consult the NCA.
The NCA examines the qualifications of internationally educated applicants and makes recommendations on behalf of the Law Society of Ontario (and all other law societies in Canada) as to the further study of law required before you are qualified to enter a province’s licensing process.
In most cases, the NCA will recommend that you successfully study specific subjects. You may demonstrate successful study of these subjects by completing specific courses at a Canadian law school and/or by passing NCA challenge examinations.
NCA Options at the Faculty of Law
There are 2 options at the law school for those who would like to meet the NCA’s requirements:
- Global Professional Master of Laws (GPLLM) program
This is an executive-style, 12- or 24-month graduate degree focused on law from an international perspective. Classes are held 1 evening per week and on occasional weekends and are taught by a combination of distinguished faculty and experienced practitioners. Depending on your NCA assessments, you may simultaneously complete both the GPLLM and meet some or all your NCA requirements via the concentration in Canadian Law in a Global Context. GPLLM law courses in the other concentrations may also be available to you. - Specific JD program courses (non-degree enrollment)
For this option, the Foundations of Canadian Law, Legal Research & Writing, and Professional Responsibility are not available as individual (stand-alone) JD courses for meeting NCA requirements. Admission is on a fee-per-course basis. The fee is estimated at $8,780 plus HST (13% tax) per course for 2024-2025 (subject to change in future academic years).
Note: Interviews for articling placements in Ontario generally occur during the summer, 1 full year prior to the start of the placement. Consult the Law Society of Ontario or call 416-947-3300 to confirm procedures and deadlines for the Articling Program and the Law Practice Program.
We base selection primarily on your performance in previous legal studies (including the results of NCA challenge exams) and the Admissions Committee’s assessment. If you have failed any NCA challenge exam, you will not be considered for admission.
Non-degree NCA students are not eligible for financial assistance from the Faculty of Law.
Admission Categories
For all program selections, choose 1 of 3 applicant categories:
General Applicant Category
Most applications are made in the General category. In this category, you must have successfully completed at least 3 years of full-time undergraduate study (or equivalent) of an approved course, leading to a degree at a recognized university, by the end of May in the year of entry.
Mature Applicant Category
You must have at least 5 complete years (that may not be consecutive) of non-academic experience (experience outside of full-time study) by September of the year of entry to apply as a Mature applicant. With growing numbers of excellent applications in recent years, admission through the Mature category is virtually as competitive as the General category.
Indigenous Applicant Category
Indigenous applicants, including those of First Nations (status and non-status), Inuit and Métis heritage, represent unique groups in Canada and are given special consideration when applying to the Faculty of Law. We strongly encourage Indigenous applications.
Current Indigenous students, the Indigenous Students’ Association Faculty Advisor, the Manager of the Indigenous Initiative Office and the Assistant Dean, Students, are delighted to speak with you about life at the law school. Email the JD Admissions Office to arrange an introduction.
Applicants who satisfy both the Indigenous and Mature applicant categories should select the Indigenous applicant category only and may also provide a resumé for their application.
We encourage Indigenous applicants to outline their identification with, involvement in and connection to their communities.
Black Student Application Process (BSAP) Stream
Separate from, and in addition to, choosing an admission category (General, Mature or Indigenous), Black candidates seeking to earn our JD degree are strongly encouraged to self-identify and select the optional U of T BSAP stream which aims to increase Black law student representation at the Faculty of Law.
We recognize that the unique perspectives and experiences of Black individuals and Black communities deepen the talents and perspectives in law school. The BSAP is an important part of our commitment to ensuring that legal education is accessible to talented students from all segments of Canadian society and that the legal profession represents the diverse communities that lawyers serve.
The BSAP stream does not have a designated quota for admission. You must meet the same LSAT requirements and academic requirements for admission that we seek from all candidates.
You must apply to either the JD first-year or transfer program by our standard deadlines and procedures and, in the School Submissions section of your OLSAS application, you must also:
- select the BSAP option and
- submit a BSAP Essay highlighting why you chose this stream.
The BSAP Admissions Committee reads all your required written submissions, including your:
- Personal Statement (mandatory)
- Optional Essay (if you choose to submit one)
- BSAP Essay (mandatory, if opting for BSAP stream)
Admission Requirements and Supporting Documents
First-year Requirements
Academic Eligibility
JD
Prior to entry, the successful completion of at least 3 academic years’ worth of education in a program leading to an undergraduate degree from an approved, recognized institution.
JD Combined Programs
Candidates must be eligible separately for both the JD and the combined partner program.
Upper-year Requirements
Transfer Eligibility
JD
Regardless of immigration status in Canada, candidates who have completed all of the following are eligible:
- At least 3 years of full-time undergraduate degree studies (exclusive of law school studies).
- No more than the first year only, of an LLB or JD program at another common law school (Canadian or non-Canadian), prior to entry at UofT Law.
- At least 4 of the following courses successfully, which are required at the Faculty of Law:
- Administrative Law
- Canadian Constitutional Law
- Contract Law
- Criminal Law
- Legal Process
- Property Law
- Torts
Candidates must also be in good standing (academic and student code of conduct).
JD Combined Programs
Candidates must be eligible separately for both the JD and the combined partner program.
Letter of Permission Eligibility
Regardless of immigration status in Canada, candidates who have successfully completed 2 years in a JD or LLB program at another common-law school are eligible.
Candidates must also be in good standing (academic and student code of conduct).
NCA Eligibility
Regardless of immigration status in Canada, candidates must have obtained an NCA evaluation to be eligible.
Candidates who sat NCA challenge exams must have a passing grade for each exam attempt.
General Requirements
Personal Statement, Optional Essay and Black Student Application Process (BSAP) Essay
The Admissions Committee does not conduct interviews. For this reason, every applicant is required to submit a Personal Statement and is encouraged to also provide 1 Optional Essay, plus where appropriate, 1 optional BSAP Essay. After a UofT JD program has been selected, you may enter the contents for each document in its designated text box in the School Submissions section of the OLSAS Application.
Use as many of these documents as permitted, to highlight your academic, personal and professional accomplishments, and share with the Committee a more 3-dimensional picture of yourself and your vision for your legal education at the University of Toronto. Successful personal statements and essays tend to be those that feature clear and authentic writing. In all your written submissions, try to avoid repetition when you write about your candidacy.
All personal statements and essays of applicants who are offered admission are read independently by at least 3 (and as many as 6) Admissions Committee members, that include students, senior administrative staff and faculty members. The BSAP Essay will include Black-identified readers and alumni.
Personal Statement
The context of the mandatory Personal Statement (maximum 5,000 characters) is not prescribed; however, you may wish to outline the following:
- How your identity, background and experiences will contribute to the diversity of the law school.
- Your choice of undergraduate program and institution.
- The extent to which it has prepared you for studying law.
The Personal Statement is also an opportunity to highlight your non-academic accomplishments and any circumstances that may have contributed to, or detracted from, your academic and non-academic success, such as:
- the response to disadvantage due to adverse personal or socio-economic circumstances,
- the response to barriers faced by cultural (including racial and ethnic) or linguistic minorities and
- the impact of temporary or permanent physical disabilities.
Briefly discuss any anomalies in your academic record, including false starts, fewer than 5 courses over 2 terms and introductory courses taken in third or fourth year of a program (if applicable).
You may want to write to the Committee about the different ways you see yourself contributing to the law school and legal community.
We encourage Indigenous applicants to outline their identification with, involvement in, and connection to their communities in their personal statements or optional essays.
Optional Essay
You may choose to add 1 Optional Essay (maximum 2,500 characters) to provide additional personal information that addresses 1 of these topics:
- A meaningful intellectual experience
- A vision of your future goals
- How you overcame obstacles to achievement
- How your identity, background and experiences will contribute to the diversity of the law school (if not already addressed in the Personal Statement)
BSAP Essay
For Black applicants, in addition to the mandatory Personal Statement and 1 Optional Essay, we recommend that you submit 1 optional BSAP Essay (maximum 2,500 characters) since it offers a unique opportunity to describe your strengths and accomplishments, vision for your own legal education and to tell your story.
There is no template to follow to express and describe yourself. In all your written submissions, try to avoid repetition when you write about your candidacy.
Sample topics include:
- describing why you chose the BSAP stream,
- writing on an issue that you feel is important to the Black community or
- sharing your motivations and inspirations.
Whether you choose to use or reference any of these topics, you should relate what you write about to a legal issue and/or the study or practice of law.
Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
First-year entry:
- The LSAT is mandatory, no exceptions.
- For entry in 2024, the earliest acceptable test is the June 2019 test, and the last acceptable test is the January 2024 test.
Upper-year entry:
- For transfer and LOP applicants, the LSAT is mandatory, no exceptions.
- For entry in 2024, the earliest acceptable test is the June 2019 test, and the last acceptable test is the April 2024 test. NCA applicants do not require the LSAT.
Test takers:
- You are strongly encouraged to take the LSAT on an earlier test date, instead of relying on the last acceptable test date. You must have a completed the LSAT comprising both the Multiple Choice portion and the LSAT Writing portion for admission consideration.
- You must add your LSAC account number (e.g., L1234567890) to your OLSAS account for OLSAS to retrieve your LSAT results and distribute them to us. If you register for a test that will be held after you submit your OLSAS application, then you must add or revise the future test date in your OLSAS account.
References, Interviews and Resumés
References are not requested and, if submitted, will not form part of your file.
Interviews are not used for admission.
Resumés are required and considered for Mature applicant category candidates only, since years were spent outside of academic study. There is no limit to the length or style of the resumé.
All candidates must complete the Autobiographical Sketch for their OLSAS Application, regardless of application category.
English Language Proficiency
A test of English language proficiency is not required or requested.
International, Exchange and Study Abroad Transcripts
If you completed your undergraduate degree (or completed more than 1 academic year of study) at a postsecondary institution outside of Canada or the United States, you are expected to submit a third-party course-by-course evaluation of your transcripts from World Education Services (WES) for admission review.
WES evaluations are not required for:
- NCA applicants
- Law school transcripts for transfer and Letter of Permission applicants from the United Kingdom
For student exchange and study abroad course work, you must arrange separately for both your host and your home institution to submit their official transcripts to OLSAS directly. This is in addition to the submission of the official transcript by your home institution. A WES evaluation is not required for courses taken as part of an exchange or study abroad program, as long as either the transfer credits or the grades for these courses appear on your home institution’s transcript.
NCA applicants: Ask the NCA to include your law school transcripts with your NCA assessments.
Admission Process
All Applicants
Measures to Safeguard the Integrity of the Admission Process
All application elements for admission to the law school are expected to be complete, authentic, true and, where applicable, your original work without the use of artificial intelligence. The Faculty of Law reserves the right to verify the authenticity and originality of all submitted application materials and, at its sole discretion, may revoke an offer of admission or take any other reasonable steps to safeguard the integrity of the admission process.
First-year Process
First Year: Filing Applications and Late Applications
The process is the same for domestic and international candidates. Arrange for the submission of these items directly to OLSAS by November 1, 2023:
- OLSAS Application, including the Autobiographical Sketch
- Official and original copies of all postsecondary academic transcripts
- LSAT score(s)
- A Personal Statement
- Optional Essay
- The BSAP Essay (mandatory for BSAP stream applicants)
- Resumé (for Mature applicants only)
If you are a Mature applicant, you must submit your resumé using Secure Applicant Messaging (SAM) in the OLSAS Application.
OLSAS applications are due by 11:59 pm (ET) on November 1, 2023. You must submit your application, including the items in (1), and (4) to (7), by the listed deadline even if other required items are not yet complete or available.
Arrange for the submission of late items directly to OLSAS as soon as they become available. Applications will be reviewed only after all documents are received.
Late Applications
If you believe you will not meet the application deadline due to the late arrival of supporting documents, then it is best that you still apply by the application deadline, instead of waiting for all your documents before you apply. By applying by the deadline, you will avoid the need to make a written request to allow a late application.
We will consider requests to submit late applications.
We will be more receptive to requests for late applications that are accompanied by unofficial copies of all postsecondary transcripts (and LSAT scores, if the LSAT was taken by the time of the request).
First Year: Selection and Timing of Admission Decisions
There are no quotas for any category of applicant. Applications will be reviewed only after all required items are received. A full-person holistic review will be based one-third on the personal profile and two-thirds on the academic record and LSAT.
We will notify you of the admission decision by email.
We expect to make 3 main rounds of offers of admission:
- In early December
- In mid-February
- In mid- to late March
We will establish a waiting list when we expect that all of the places in the class may be filled (around the beginning of April).
Conditional Offers of Admission
If you apply to the JD first year with undergraduate or graduate courses or degrees in progress, we may admit you on the condition that you complete those courses or degrees prior to enrollment.
We will list admission conditions in your offer letter. Official final transcripts are due to OLSAS by June 30, 2024.
First Year: Deferrals and Re-application
Deferrals
Deferrals may be granted at the discretion of the Chair of the Admissions Committee. We consider written requests for deferrals on an individual basis after you are offered admission, and have accepted our offer and paid the admission tuition deposit.
Re-application
Candidates who wish to re-apply in a subsequent application cycle must submit a brand new application to OLSAS, including all required application components and supporting documents, since OLSAS does not retain them after a cycle has ended.
Admission consideration will be based on the strength of the new application submitted for the subsequent cycle.
Upper-year Process
Upper Year: Filing Applications and Late Applications
The process is the same for domestic and international candidates. Please arrange for the submission of the items that are relevant to your application type, directly to OLSAS by May 1, 2024:
- OLSAS Application, including the Autobiographical Sketch
- Official and original copies of all postsecondary academic transcripts, including final grades for law school courses
- Personal Statement
- Optional Essay
- The BSAP Essay (mandatory for BSAP stream applicants)
- LSAT score(s)
- A letter from your current law school indicating you are in good standing and have not been subject to any disciplinary action
- A Letter of Permission from your current law school
- A copy of the NCA evaluation
- A copy of the results of all NCA exams taken
- A written note specifying if you intend to take, or not take, any NCA exams before enrolling at the law school
Transfer Applicants
- Submit (1) to (7).
Letter of Permission Applicants
- Submit (1) to (4), (6) and (7).
NCA Applicants
- Submit (1) to (4) and (9) to (11).
- For (2), ask the NCA to include its copy of your law school academic transcripts with the copy of the NCA evaluation.
- You must submit (9) to (11) using SAM in your OLSAS application.
All Upper-year Applicants
- You must submit your application, including the items in (1), (3), (4) and (5) by the listed deadline even if other required items are not yet complete or available.
- Submit late items directly to OLSAS as soon as they become available.
Applications will be reviewed only after all required items are received.
Late Applications
If you believe you will not meet the application deadline due to the late arrival of supporting documents, then it is best that you still apply by the application deadline, instead of waiting for all your documents before you apply. By applying by the deadline, you will avoid the need to make a written request to allow a late application.
We will consider requests to submit late applications.
We will be more receptive to requests for late applications that are accompanied by unofficial copies of all postsecondary transcripts (and LSAT scores, if the LSAT was taken by the time of the request).
Upper Year: Selection and Timing of Admission Decisions
There are no quotas for any applicant category. Applications will be reviewed only after all required items are received. A full-person holistic review will be based on the completed applicant file.
We will notify you of the admission decision by email, on a rolling basis, as files become complete.
Conditional offers of admission and deferrals of admission are not considered for upper-year applicants.
Upper Year: Deferrals and Re-application
Deferrals
Deferrals are not considered for upper-year applicants.
Re-application
Eligible candidates who wish to re-apply in a subsequent application cycle must submit a brand new application to OLSAS, including all required application components and supporting documents, since OLSAS does not retain them after a cycle has ended. Admission consideration will be based on the strength of the new application submitted for the subsequent cycle.
Additional Information
Add Our Email Address to Your Contact List as a Trusted Sender
We will use email as the primary means of communicating with applicants, including acknowledging the receipt of your application via OLSAS and our final admission decision.
As we may use a secure mass emailer, provide a valid email in your application and add “admissions.law@utoronto.ca” as a contact to your email address book. This will ensure that you will receive our messages in your inbox rather than in a spam or junk folder.
Application Fee Waivers
You may request an exemption from the $115 OLSAS institutional fee for our law school if you are applying for entry into the first year or transfer into the second year.
Fee waivers must be approved by our JD Admissions Office prior to submitting your OLSAS application.
We reserve the right to verify your waiver declaration. A false declaration may result in immediate rejection or in the revocation of an offer of admission or registration at the law school.
Financial Aid
The JD Financial Aid program at the Faculty of Law at the University of Toronto was designed and developed by students for students. A committee of faculty members and elected students, chaired by the Assistant Dean, JD Program, administers and monitors this aid program, which is available to domestic students.
Two basic ideas frame our JD Financial Aid programs and policies:
- We are committed to ensuring that financial aid is available to those students who require it most.
- We believe that the emphasis on financial need as the main criterion for financial assistance serves both the law school and the broader community by ensuring access to legal education. Most of our financial aid is allocated based on financial need.
In 2022-2023, the JD Financial Aid program distributed over $4.9 million in bursaries and loan interest payments. 88% of students who applied for financial aid received it and the average bursary was approximately $21,000.
If you apply for our financial aid, you must also apply for Canadian government student aid.
All domestic University of Toronto JD students (including transfer students) are eligible to apply for the Faculty of Law JD Financial Aid program. LOP, NCA and international students are not eligible to apply for our JD Financial Aid program.
For an instant estimate of aid funding from the law school use our exclusive online aid estimator. The calculated aid package will be an estimate for 1 year of study and will be tailored to your financial means. The estimator allows you to obtain a funding estimate before or after applying for admission.
Residence and Housing
Incoming first-year JD students admitted by May 15, 2024, can access approximately 30 guaranteed spaces at the on-campus Graduate House residence.
If you are seeking housing for your family, you should consider the U of T University Family Housing high-rise units, located a 15-minute walk east of the law school. There are 2 guaranteed housing spaces for these units for first-year JD students.
In early May, JD Admissions will send an email with instructions on how first-year JD students may secure either type of guaranteed residence space.
Contact Information
JD Admissions Office
Faculty of Law, University of Toronto
78 Queen’s Park
Toronto ON M5S 2C5
Canada
Telephone: 416-978-3716
Email: admissions.law@utoronto.ca
Admission Inquiries
Review the Faculty of Law’s admission policies and procedures.
Admission advisors are available to answer questions in person, by telephone or in writing. They are extremely knowledgeable about the admission process and can assist you with most matters about your applications.
Information Sessions and Campus Tours
We invite you to meet with us at any of our tours or admission information sessions.