How to Apply

Thank you for your interest in our Graduate Programs at the Faculty of Law, University of Victoria.

We are no longer accepting applications for September 2012.

The domestic application deadline for September 2013 is January 31, 2013. The International application deadline for September 2013 is December 15, 2012. We do accept applications after the deadlines but all application materials must be on hand by February 15, 2013 at the very latest for consideration for September 2013 entry.

If you wish to spend a term, or several terms, at the University of Victoria as a Visiting Research Ph.D. student you should apply by December 15 of the year preceding your visit. See below for details.

Steps to Apply

1. Check the Graduate Program minimum requirements.

2. Check Graduate Admissions and Records’ documentation requirements.

NOTE: 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.

To apply to the Law graduate program, the minimum acceptable TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score 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.

3. Apply for admission using the ApplyBC online application form. Contact Graduate Admissions and Records if you are experiencing difficulties with the online application.

4. In one complete package submit unoffical copies of all post-secondary transcripts, TOEFL/IELTS reports, and Assessment Reports or letters by mail to Graduate Admissions and Records OR in digital form as a PDF to graddocs@uvic.ca. Please choose only one of the two methods for submitting all documentation or your application will be delayed significantly.

Graduate Admissions and Records will initially screen your application to determine if you are admissible to the University and if you meet the minimum admission requirements of the Faculty of Law. If you meet the minimum requirements of the Faculty of Law your application will be forwarded for further review.

If you are accepted to the program, official documents must be submitted before a full offer of admission can be made. All items must remain in their original sealed and endorsed institution envelopes.

Visit the Graduate Admissions and Records' Submission of Documents webpage for full details and requirements.

5. As part of the same complete package, submit additional supporting documentation required by the Faculty of Law:

Applicants for the LL.M. program are required to submit:
- a recent curriculum vitae (CV)
- a one-page proposal for graduate study indicating your area of research interest. The proposal should also specify, if possible, the interdisciplinary dimension of the project and should elaborate on the way in which it engages with the relationship between law and society.  This will assist in the assessment of your application and ensure that your area of interest can be accommodated by the program.

Applicants for the Ph.D. program are required to submit:
- a recent curriculum vitae (CV)
- a five-page dissertation proposal (although this proposal may be revised during your candidacy in the program). The proposal should also specify, if possible, the interdisciplinary dimension of the project and should elaborate on the way in which it engages with the relationship between law and society.  This will assist in the assessment of your application and ensure that your area of interest can be accommodated by the program.
- a sample of your research writing (e.g., a completed segment of a master's thesis or published article

 

If you still have questions regarding applying to our Graduate Programs at the Faculty of Law please contact the Graduate Assistant or Graduate Admissions and Records for further assistance.

Offers of admission are made from March through to early-summer.

Please note that a $200 acceptance deposit is required and will be credited towards your tuition fees once you register for the program. Exceptions can be granted and are at the discretion of the Graduate Program Director.

International students who are admitted into the program are responsible for securing, in a timely fashion, the necessary visa and documentation for admission to Canada to study.

Visiting Research Ph.D. Students

The key criterion for acceptance is a close fit between your proposed area of study and the research interests of our faculty members. Please see their areas of interest here.

A one-page research proposal, CV and, if applicable, a minimum TOEFL score of 575 are required to apply.  

Generally, Visiting Research Ph.D. Students are expected to reside in Victoria during their time at the University of Victoria.