LLM in Canada is a popular option for law graduates who want to further their education and advance their careers in the legal field. To pursue an LLM in Canada, candidates must have a Bachelor's degree in law, also known as a JD (Juris Doctor) degree or an equivalent foreign law degree from an accredited university. International students are also required to demonstrate English language proficiency via a minimum IELTS score of 7.0. The tuition fee for LLM in Canada ranges from 9,000-46,000 CAD (5 lakhs-28 lakhs INR) per year, depending on the university and program. Some top universities for LLM in Canada offer scholarships, bursaries, and other financial assistance to help students finance their studies.

Check Out: Popular Scholarships in Canada for International Students

The LLM programs in Canada provide students with a broad range of opportunities for professional development and career advancement. Graduates can expect to find job placements in a variety of legal and non-legal sectors, including private law firms, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and international organizations. Some of the top recruiters for LLM graduates in Canada are Canadian government, law firms, human rights organizations, and advocacy groups. The salary for an LLM graduate in Canada ranges from 60,000 CAD to 100,000 CAD (37 lakhs-61 lakhs INR) per year, depending on the job role, location, and level of experience.

LLM in Canada: Highlights

Degree Types Master of Law (LLM)
Course Duration 1-2 years
Program Types Part-Time, Full-Time
Academic requirements LLB from an accredited university
Percentage requirements 65-70%
English Proficiency IELTS: 7.0 | TOEFL: 100
Tuition Fee 9,000-46,000 CAD (5 lakhs-28 lakhs INR)
Average Salary 91,000 CAD (56 lakhs INR)

Top LLM Colleges in Canada

Some of the top Canadian Universities offering courses in law rank globally. Some of these are listed below along with the cost of pursuing an LLM.

University Name Program Offered Application Deadlines Annual Tuition Fee (in CAD)
University of Toronto Master of Laws (LLM) December 15, 2022 (applications closed) 46,690
McGill University Master of Laws (LLM) December 20, 2022 (applications closed) 27,010
University of British Columbia Master of Laws (LLM) December 1, 2023 9,500
University of Montreal Master of Laws (LLM) May 1, 2023 -
York University Master of Laws (LLM) July 31, 2023 22,250
Queen’s University at Kingston Master of Laws (LLM) January 15, 2023 (applications closed) 15,703
University of Alberta Master of Laws (LLM) December 1, 2023 7,606
University of Ottawa Master of Laws (LLM) February 1, 2023 27,645
Western University Master of Laws (LLM) January 15, 2023 (applications closed) 27,284
Dalhousie University Master of Laws (LLM) March 31, 2023 9,099

Law Education in Canada

You will need to obtain a minimum Bachelor of Law (LLB) degree from a recognized school of law. A four-year bachelor’s degree is necessary. The entire purpose of the law education process in Canada is to put you to good use of practical training.

Your chances of a good return on investment when studying law abroad increase if you get admitted to one of the top law schools in Canada. However, competition is not easy. You will have to make sure that you secure a higher grade point average than the minimum requirement stated by any university. Needless to say, the LSAT is a standardized test to be eligible to study in Canada.

JD vs LLM

Categories JD LLM
Definition Basic law degree required to practice law. An advanced, graduate degree for those seeking expertise in fields of law.
Admission Requirements A bachelor’s degree and LSAT score A JD degree or other first degree in law for foreign-educated lawyers
Purpose To sit for the state bar exam and earn a state license To achieve advanced knowledge in a specific area of law for career advancement.
Curriculum Standard curriculum covering broad theories and concepts within the Canadian legal system. Concentrated curriculum including a specific area of the Canadian Law.
Duration of the Program Three years of full-time study One year of full-time study

Choosing between a JD and an LLM depends on your advance planning. If you want to be a private practitioner- you can go for a JD. While if you intend to specialize in a particular field or plan to return back to your home country, an LLM is the best option.

To practice law in Canada, you are required to pass the NCA and before sitting for the bar assessment, if you have completed your law education from a foreign educational institution.

What is NCA?

National Committee on Accreditation is an exam one needs to qualify before sitting for the Bar Examination in Canada. NCA is run by the Federation of Law Societies in Canada – to assess that you have the necessary skills and legal knowledge to become a lawyer in Canada.

  • These examinations are held around four times a year and cover the five mandatory subject areas in the exam of Foundations of Canadian Professional Responsibility, Canadian Law, Canadian Constitutional Law, Canadian Criminal Law, and Canadian Administrative Law.
  • Once you have passed the NCA exam, you can then move on to working on the provincial Bar Admissions Course and choosing the Canadian province you wish to work and live in.

Why study LLM in Canada?

  • Top-Notch Universities: 8 top universities for LLM in Canada are ranked among the top 100 universities in the world for Law and Legal Studies, as per the QS World Subject Rankings 2023 
  • Well Paid Careers: According to jobbank.gc.ca, lawyers in Ontario earn between 45,000 CAD (27.71 lakhs INR) to 357,000 CAD (2.2 crore INR) per year. While the lawyers in Alberta go on to earning a median salary of 140,000 CAD (86 lakhs INR) annually.
  • Market trends by jobbank.gc.ca suggest that Oil and Gas Property Paralegals in Canada earn a median wage an annual salary of 58,240 CAD (up to 32.6 Lac per annum).
  • Law students have good prospects for their legal careers in the province of British Columbia, Quebec, Ontario, and Nova Scotia. Paralegal and related services are forecasted to increase by 30% in the next 5 years.
  • For lawyers, judges, and Quebec notaries new jobs of around 46,000 are expected to rise in the time of 2019-2028.
  • Plenty of part-time work opportunities as well as university scholarships are available to international students who wish to fund themselves while studying.
  • Immigration can be relatively easier when going for an LLM in Canada for Indian students.

LM Admission in Canada

Most law schools in Canada offer an LLM on a full-time basis only, but Osgoode Hall Law School offers a part-time option for professionals. Great options for LLM courses are available to you if you opt to study LLM in Canada. For example, the University of Toronto covers subjects like Business Law, Criminal Law, Health Law, Ethics and Policy, and Legal Theory. Dalhousie University offers subjects to study including Intellectual Property Law, Free Trade, and Conflict Prevention. Such diversity of specializations provide you with in-depth knowledge of the subject you choose. After pursuing an LLM from Canada you can be the master of the chosen subject area.

Eligibility for LLM in Canada

Though the actual course requirements might vary as per the program and the university you choose, we have enlisted some of the general eligibility criteria you must know before applying for an LLM in Canada:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LLB) or Juris Doctor degree from a recognized university.
  • A cumulative GPA of at least 7.0 out of 10 (or 70%)
  • The Statement of Purpose and Letters of Recommendation (LORs)
  • Proof of proficiency in the English language- Submit the test scores of anyone among IELTS/TOEFL/PTE.
  • A Canadian student visa is valid till the course duration, including internship duration.
  • An approved work permit to work part-time or apply for internships (Kindly stick to the work hour limit as prescribed by the University.)
  • The LSAT score is also required

If you have completed your LLB from India, better join LLM in India itself. For practicing law in Canada, an LLM alone won’t help you. It is fine if you want to go for research studies further. To practice law in Canada, however, students must complete their degree in Juris Doctor (J.D) as a part of their formal education.

LLM in Canada: Minimum GPA Requirements

Law University Average GPA on a 4.0 scale Percent Equivalent for Indian Students
University of Toronto 3.87 on a 4.0 scale 97.4%
McGill University 3.7 on a 4.0 scale 94%
University of British Columbia 3.8 on a 4.0 scale 96%
University of Montreal 3.92 on a 4.0 scale 98.4%
York University 3.69 on a 4.0 scale 93.8%
Queen’s University at Kingston 3.73 on a 4.0 scale 94.6%
University of Alberta 3.7 on a 4.0 scale 94%
University of Ottawa 3.7 on a 4.0 scale 94%
Western University 3.7 on a 4.0 scale 94%
Dalhousie University 3.7 on a 4.0 scale 94%

Documents Required for LLM in Canada

After you have started filling the Online Application Form from the respective university website/portals, you need to attach the following documents to support your application-

  • Official Transcripts
  • Test scores for entrance exams to study in Canada
  • CV/ Resume
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Plan of Study (for the course-based program) OR Thesis Proposal (for the thesis-based program)
  • Financial Assistance ApplicationTwo Letters of Reference

LLM in Canada: English Language Score Requirements

Law University English Language Requirement
University of Toronto IELTS- 7.5
TOEFL iBT- 100
McGill University IELTS- 7.0
TOEFL iBT- 100
University of British Columbia IELTS- 7.0
TOEFL iBT- 100
University of Montreal IELTS- 7.0
TOEFL iBT- 100
York University IELTS- 7.5
TOEFL iBT- 109
Queen’s University at Kingston IELTS- 7.0
TOEFL iBT- 100
University of Alberta IELTS- 7.0
TOEFL iBT- 100
University of Ottawa IELTS- 7.0
TOEFL iBT- 100
Western University IELTS- 8.0
TOEFL iBT- 109
Dalhousie University IELTS- 7.5
TOEFL iBT- 100

LLM in Canada Costs

For international candidates aspiring to study at a Canadian university, it is mandatory to have an estimate of the cost of living in Canada to survive comfortably in the foreign land. The basic expenses to be considered for applying to any university can be distributed into three categories. These are Pre-Arrival costs, tuition fees of the program, and the cost of living.

LLM in Canada: Fees

The college tuition fees can range between 5,50,000 INR-30,00,000 INR a year. However, if you apply for financial aid and qualify, the fees can reduce substantially.

LLM in Canada: Fees

University Name Annual Tuition Fee (in CAD) Annual Tuition Fee (INR)
University of Toronto 46,690 28.62 lakhs
McGill University 27,010 16.56 lakhs
University of British Columbia 9,500 58.25 lakhs
York University 22,250 13.64 lakhs
Queen’s University at Kingston 15,703 9.62 lakhs
University of Alberta 7,606 46.63 lakhs
University of Ottawa 27,645 16.95 lakhs
Western University 27,284 16.73 lakhs
Dalhousie University 9,099 5.57 lakhs

Please note that these fees may vary slightly according to the specialization you choose.

Cost of Living in Canada

The cost of living in Canada consists of all the expenses you will have to pay for, after your arrival in the country. These include the cost of accommodation, food expenses, books & supplies, transportation, as well as other student expenses.

Expense Type Average Cost (CAD) Cost Equivalent (INR)
Accommodation 1,037 62,465
Food 290 17,471
Transport 107 6,446
Internet 80 4,819
Books and Supplies 163 9,818
Miscellaneous 310 18,673
Cost of Living in Canada

LLM in Canada: Scholarships

A rational LLM student will always look for funding options when planning to study in Canada. Here are some ways of the ways you can fund your LLM in Canada:

  • Government Funding- Many provincial governments in Canada, like Ontario, offer to fund your LLM education to some extent. International students receive funding from the Canadian Federal Government on a grant basis. One of these includes the Canada Graduate Scholarship, which is available to international students studying LLM in Canada.
  • Scholarships & Bursaries- Some of the scholarships available to all LLM students are listed below:
Name of the Scholarship Eligibility Selection Based on Award
Canadian Energy Law Foundation Canadian and foreign students enrolled in a Canadian University LLM or Ph.D. program Thesis topic(s) that are of interest to Canadian energy lawyers; or, Recipient(s) intending to make a significant contribution to the Canadian energy legal practice. Up to 20,000 CAD

Lila Fahlman Scholarships for Muslim Women in Canada

Open to all Muslim women in Canada Positive contribution to society through civic engagement and/or volunteering experience. Amount varies
Ontario Graduate Fellowship Students enrolled in graduate studies in the Ontario Province Evaluation on Academic Excellence, Research Potential and Statement of Interest, and Personal Characteristics/ Academic Assessment from Referees 5000 CAD per term
JN Tata Endowment Scholarship Indian students beginning higher education in an international university Three-level assessment- Academic Performance, Online Test, and Interview INR 1,00,000 to INR 10,00,000
BrokerFish International Student Scholarship All international students pursuing education at Canadian University Merit-basis 1200 CAD on Health Insurance Expenses
UBC Graduate Dean’s Entrance Scholarship All full-time students who wish to pursue thesis-based master’s degrees The academic scores submitted with the admission applications 5,000 CAD
Debesh Kamal Scholarship International students of not more than 30 years of age, with enough amount to cover other expenses Application “Why do we consider you?”, followed by an interview Up to 1 Lac (INR)
Bhajan Lal Scholarship Indian students pursuing higher education related to the environment Financial need, academic merit A full or partial payment towards the tuition fee, living expenses, travel, and research is awarded for 12 to 24 months

Other Funding Options for LLM in Canada

  • Private Student Loans

An educational loan from a private bank is necessary and in most cases the last resort for many international students. Indian students can apply for educational loans from almost all major national banks like SBI, Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, PNB, and Bank of India, etc. These banks may offer up to 85% of the program fee for study in Canada.

  • Work while you study

Many law schools offer work-study in Canada for students to earn extra money and this is a great option for international students on a student visa to earn extra money. Most Canadian universities permit their full-time students to work for no more than 10 hours a week, including paid employment. An international student with a study permit is usually restricted to no more than 20 hours of paid employment a week.

LLM in Canada: Placements

Canada offers several employment opportunities for law students. These opportunities as a lawyer in Canada are within three broader categories- Private practice, working with the government, or working public interest. Some of the highest paying provinces are Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia. Among these provinces, the highest paying cities are Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and Ottawa.

Jobs in Canada are available in a range of industries including Consultancy firms, Corporate firms, International Organisations, Law Firms, and NGOs. After an LLM in Canada, you will be eligible for job profiles such as: Legal Consultant, Magistrate, Trustee, Attorney General, Legal Counsel, Assistant Professor, and Legal Manager

How to Become a Lawyer in Canada

Becoming a lawyer requires 7 years of full-time study- 4 years for an undergraduate, and then 3 years of law degree earned from a law school in Canada.

  1. Pre-Law Undergraduate degree from a Canadian University or a recognized foreign university.
  2. Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) is the method of entry into Law School across the US and Canada.
  3. Completing Law Degree- You need to choose your law program wisely. Doing an LLM alone does not guarantee your legal career. You need to undertake the three-year JD program if you want to practice law in Canada.
  4. NCA Examination for those who hold a law degree from another country.
  5. Completing the provincial Bar Admissions Course and Articling in the province of choice.

Top Careers for Law Graduates in Canada

With an LLM, an international student can work in the field of major. Given below are the job profiles and their average annual salary.

LLM in Canada: Placements

Jobs for Law Graduates in Canada Average Annual Salary (in CAD) Salary Equivalent (INR)
Legal Counsel 89,000 54 lakhs
Divorce Lawyer 58,000 35 lakhs
Attorney/Lawyer 87,000 53 lakhs
Lease Analyst 57,000 35 lakhs
Law Clerk 45,000 27 lakhs
Corporate Paralegal 68,000 41 lakhs
Senior Counsel 144,000 88 lakhs
Criminal Defense Lawyer 65,000 40 lakhs

Among all the legal careers, Energy Environment & Natural Resources industry is booming in Canada. Now is a great time to invest in a law degree with this specialization.

Given below is the detailed graph of the return on investment if you plan for an LLM in some of the top Canadian universities.

LLM in Canada ROI

LLM in Canada v/s LLM in USA

While both countries offer high-quality LLM programs, there are significant differences in terms of curriculum, cost, and career prospects. In this section, we will differentiate LLM in Canada and USA to help prospective students make an informed decision about which country to study in.

Parameters LLM in Canada LLM in USA
Degree Types Master of Law (LLM) Master of Law (LLM)
Course Duration 1-2 years 9 months to 2 years
Program Types Part-Time, Full-Time Part-Time, Full-Time
Academic requirements LLB LLB
Percentage requirements 65-70% 83-86%
English Proficiency IELTS: 7.0 | TOEFL: 100 IELTS: 7.0 | TOEFL: 100
Work Experience Not Required 2-3 years
Monthly Cost of Living 1,987 CAD (1.19 lakhs INR) 2,448 USD (2 lakhs INR)
Tuition Fee 9,000-46,000 CAD (5 lakhs-28 lakhs INR) 66,924-75,572 USD (54.73-61.81 lakhs INR)
Average Salary 91,000 CAD (56 lakhs INR) 113,000 USD (92 lakhs INR)

Also Read: LLM in USA

The labor market in Canada is focused on the “best fit for the job” ideology. A degree in Canada does not guarantee a job unless a specialized skill or knowledge is required. Good thing, your LLM will make you the master of your niche. LLM in Canada is a great option if you want your legal career to achieving excellence in the niche labor market.

FAQs

Ques. What are the top colleges offering LLM in Canada?

Ans. The top 10 Canadian universities offering LLM are:

  • University of Toronto    
  • McGill University    
  • University of British Columbia
  • University of Montreal
  • York University    
  • Queen’s University at Kingston
  • University of Alberta
  • University of Ottawa
  • Western University    
  • Dalhousie University

Ques. What is the duration of LLM in Canada?

Ans. LLM programs in Canada are usually 1-2 year-long courses in Law and are offered in varied specializations ranging from Business Law and Taxation to Criminal Law and Health Law, etc.

Ques. After doing an LLB in India, can I go for an LLM in Canada?

Ans. Yes. You can pursue an LLM in Canada after completing an LLB from any recognized foreign university. To practice law in Canada, however, you must have completed a Juris Doctor degree and apply with a valid LSAT score.

Ques. Can you practice law with an LLM in Canada?

Ans. You will have to pursue a Juris Doctor or JD program in Canada to gain the certification of practicing Law in Canada. After your JD, you will have to pass the NCA and then qualify for the provincial Bar Admissions Course assessment as well.

Ques. What is the eligibility for LLM in Canada for Indian students?

Ans. The general requirement for Indian students to pursue LLM in Canada is a bachelor’s degree in Law, i.e. LLB along with GRE/LSAT scores as well as English language proficiency scores of IELTS, TOEFL, etc.

Ques. What should be my TOEFL/ IELTS and LSAT score to guarantee admission at the top universities?

Ans. Try to score as high as you can in all of the tests, as the score alone can’t guarantee your admission at these top universities. The average score for LSAT has been 162 for some universities, and also 169 for other universities. A minimum TOEFL iBT score of 100 is required. Some universities require an overall of 7.0 on IELTS whereas some require 7.5.

Ques. How much does an LLM cost in Canada?

Ans. The annual tuition fee for LLM in Canada ranges from 9,000-46,000 CAD (5 lakhs-28 lakhs INR).

Ques. What is the salary offered after doing an LLM in Canada?

Ans. The average annual salary of a law graduate from Canada ranges from 52,00 CAD to 130,000 CAD (29 Lac - 73 Lac INR).