Admissions Frequently Asked Admissions Questions (FAQs)

What is your application deadline?

• December 15 for International applications (for September entry)
• January 31 for Domestic applications (for September entry)

 

What is your application fee?

• $100 CAD if all transcripts come from institutions within Canada
• $125 CAD if any transcripts come from institutions outside of Canada

 

How do I apply if I do not have a credit card?
If you do not have a credit card (or experience difficulties with the online application form) contact Graduate Admissions and Records.

What are the minimum GPA requirements to apply?

The normal minimum requirements for admission to the LL.M. degree program will be a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.), Juris Doctor (J.D.), or equivalent Civil Law degree with an average of B+ (6.00 G.P.A.) in the final two years of that law degree program.

The normal minimum for admission to the Ph.D. degree will be an average of A- (7.00 G.P.A.) in graduate courses.

I am an International applicant. Where can I find the minimum requirements for my country?
You may compare minimum requirements for most countries on the Minimum Requirements From Other Countries webpage. Requirements for the LL.M. and Ph.D. programs are slightly higher than the university-wide requirements listed.

What are the minimum acceptable TOEFL or IELTS scores you accept?

The minimum acceptable TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score for acceptance is 600 paper based or 100 Internet based (with no score of less than 20 on each component of the test).

The minimum acceptable IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score is an overall score of at least Band 7.0 with no score of less than 7.0 on each academic component of the test.

Scores older than two years, from the date of entry, will not be accepted.

My first language is English but my home country is not listed as a "Designated English-speaking country", is an English Language score still required?

Even if your first language is English, you may be required to provide proof of your English language proficiency. Visit the Graduate Admissions and Records Language Proficiency webpage to confirm that your home country is listed as a "Designated English-speaking country" and to review all allowable exceptions to the requirement.

What if my GPA or English Language scores are slightly below the minimum requirements?
If your GPA or TOEFL scores are slightly lower than required, it may still be possible to be admitted based on the quality of your research proposal and references.

What documentation is required to apply?
Visit our How to Apply webpage for a full listing of required documents.

Where do I send my documents?
Collect originals of all post-secondary transcripts, TOEFL/IELTS reports, and Assessment Reports or letters and mail or courier in one package to the Faculty of Law Graduate Assistant (see Contact Us! for address). All items must remain in their original sealed and endorsed institution envelopes. Items will be scanned and forwarded to Graduate Admissions and Records for formal processing and verification.

Do I need a program Supervisor?
You need not have a supervisor lined up at the time of application.  Normally the Law supervisor is determined during the course of the admissions process and the non-Law supervisor after a student’s arrival here.  Applicants are only admitted to the program if a faculty member is available to supervise the research area identified in the applicant's research proposal.

You can view a list of our faculty members and their areas of specialty on the Our Faculty webpage.

Can I apply with an MBA or other undergraduate degree?
The only undergraduate degrees acceptable for admission to our LL.M. program are a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.), Juris Doctor (J.D.), or equivalent Civil Law degree.

Applicants to the Ph.D. program must have an Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.), Juris Doctor (J.D.), equivalent Civil Law degree; an LL.M.; or sufficient undergraduate and graduate educational background in Law. All Ph.D. applicants must have a Masters' level degree.

Is there a minimum residency requirement?
You are required to be on campus full time for the first three terms (12 months) of your program (LL.M. or Ph.D.). Subsequent terms can be completed off campus with the permission of your Law supervisor.

Can I take the program remotely or online?
The program cannot be completed remotely or online. See the residency requirement above.

Can I start my studies during other times of the year?
Due to the structure of our Graduate Seminars (LAW501 and LAW502), our program commences in September only of each year.  We do not admit at other times of the year.

How many graduate students do you accept per year?
We accept a maximum of 12 new graduate students each year.

How many applications do you usually receive per year?
We receive approximately 50 completed applications per year.

Does your faculty give preference to UVic grads or BC residents?
Neither.

When can I expect to know if I am accepted?
We begin evaluating applications when all of the supporting documentation has been received. Some offers of admission are made as early as March. If an offer is not accepted, the place will be offered to another applicant. The majority of our offers are made by the end of April.

May I defer my acceptance to a subsequent year?
We do not offer deferrals but encourage applicants to reapply. Once we have admitted an applicant, there is a good chance we will do so again.

Your application materials will be kept by Graduate Admissions and Records for one year but you will need to re-submit your application and application fee.

 

Costs and Financial Aid

How much are tuition and fees?
Visit the Fees and Awards webpage for current tuition and fee amounts. Tuition and fees typically increase May 1 of each year.

What is the approximate cost of textbooks in the first year?
$800 to $1,000

Where can I pay my tuition and fees?
Visit Accounting Services for details on where and how you can pay your tuition and fees.

Please note: tuition fees cannot be paid using a credit card

What are the costs to live in on-campus housing?
You will find specific information regarding the current on-campus rates here.

How much does it cost to park on campus?
Visit Campus Security for current parking rates.

How can I budget?
You will find helpful estimates and information, including a sample budget, here.

Does your Faculty offer scholarships?
There are several fellowships and scholarships available to Law graduate students which may be applied for after admission to the program. Visit the Fees and Awards webpage for further details.

You can also visit the Graduate Studies Awards and Fellowships webpage for awards not specific to law.