Allard School of Law, University of British Columbia
The information on this page was provided by the law school.
Official Guide to Canadian JD Programs
Situated on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the xwmə0-kwəy’am (Musqueam) people, the Peter A. Allard School of Law at the University of British Columbia has educated leaders in both the community and the profession. Our incoming students join a distinguished family of graduates that have excelled in all areas of law and government and have made a significant impact on some of today’s most pressing issues around the world. The Allard School of Law offers a variety of degree programs, including:
- Juris Doctor (JD)
- Juris Doctor/Master of Business Administration (JD/MBA)
- Master of Laws (LLM)
- Master of Laws—Common Law (LLM CL)
- Master of Laws in Taxation (LLM Tax)
- Doctor of Philosophy in Law (PhD)
The Allard School of Law is committed to recruiting outstanding teachers and scholars who are leaders in their fields of research. With 54 full-time professors, we are home to a remarkably dynamic, accomplished, and diverse group of faculty who produce innovative and influential legal research. Many are globally recognized for their groundbreaking work in numerous areas of law, including business law, international law, environmental and natural resources law, and Aboriginal legal issues, to name a few.
The Allard School of Law is housed in Allard Hall. Equipped with the latest technology, expanded classroom and research facilities, and a state-of-the-art library, the building serves as a vital academic hub for both students and the legal community.
The school offers a joint legal-education program between the Allard School of Law and the University of Hong Kong and the Allard School of Law. The Allard School of Law also has an agreement with Melbourne Law School, The University of Melbourne, that will allow eligible JD students at either law school to enroll in an LLM program at the partner institution in lieu of their final term or semester of JD study. Participating students will receive JD and LLM degrees in three and a half years of full-time study.
Hallmarks of the school’s curriculum are an expansion of the range of subjects taught in the first year, less reliance on 100 percent final exams, diversification of evaluation methods designed to accommodate a broader range of learning styles, and small classes. First-year classes are taught in groups of approximately 45–50, allowing students to have more direct contact with instructors and more opportunities for detailed feedback. Studying at the Allard School of Law means being part of a community that encourages diverse perspectives in a learning environment that is collaborative and inspiring. For a full list of programs and courses, please visit our website.
The University of British Columbia is situated in a parklike campus of over 1,000 hectares on a forested peninsula overlooking the Pacific Ocean and coastal mountains. A short drive from downtown Vancouver, the university is easily accessible by public transit. Vancouver is one of the world’s most spectacular cities, bordered by beaches and mountains and boasting a temperate climate year-round. With a population of more than two million, Vancouver is taking on increasing importance as an international, cultural, economic, and educational centre.
The JD Program
Our diverse and innovative curriculum offers a first-rate legal education that balances traditional areas of practice with emerging fields of specialization. This, combined with a comprehensive experiential learning program and a supportive community of staff, faculty and students (including an on-site student well-being counsellor) makes the Allard School of Law a place to be inspired, follow your passions and make a difference in the community and beyond.
The curriculum in the first year is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in legal principles while ensuring they are challenged intellectually. Students take nine courses over their first year. These courses include: Indigenous Settler Legal Relations, Contracts, Criminal Law & Procedure, Property Law, Torts, Transnational Law, Introduction to Public Law and the Charter, Legal Research & Writing, and Aboriginal and Treaty Rights. Second- and third-year courses are chosen from a wide range of options. Both the faculty and the Allard Law Students’ Society provide a number of lectures of special interest during the year.
Second- and third-year courses are chosen from a wide range of options, and you will have the opportunity to choose from a number of experiential offerings where you can gain practical skills and problem solve in a supervised environment. Both the faculty and the Allard Law Students’ Society provide a number of lectures of special interest during the year.
Clinics & Externships
The Allard School of Law is fortunate to offer a variety of clinical and practical course offerings for upper-year students. These programs offer opportunities for our students to learn practical skills and problem solve in a supervised environment, provide access to justice, and directly engage with members of the legal profession. In addition, clinical programs offer students an opportunity to develop professional skills such as file management, document drafting, interview techniques, evidence analysis, legal research and writing, and advocating for clients before courts and tribunals.
Competitive Moots
A moot court is a simulated court hearing, where students have the opportunity to train alongside experienced lawyers and judges and participate in a true-to-life hearing.
By participating in a moot you will gain intensive training in written and oral advocacy before judges, practitioners and academics. These highly sought-after opportunities allow you to build connections with professors and counsel who participate enthusiastically as advisors, consultants and coaches. You'll also meet and learn from students from other universities.
Concentrations & Specializations
We offer students the option to choose from four specializations or concentrations. This provides you with an opportunity to hone your skills and deepen your knowledge in a field that interests you the most. More than a certificate or notation on your transcript, your specialized training in these areas will help you stand out to potential employers. These concentrations and specializations are optional and not required for graduation:
- Specialization in Aboriginal Law
- Business Law Concentration
- Specialization in Law & Social Justice
- Specialization in Environmental & Natural Resource Law
Joint Legal Education and Degree Partnerships
Expand your horizons and earn a degree from UBC AND one of our partner universities. By completing a joint degree, not only will you build a global network, you may be able to pursue professional qualifications both in Canada and the partner university's country.
We offer joint programs at:
- University of Hong Kong (LL.B./J.D.)
- Melbourne Law School (J.D./LL.M.)
Exchange Program
The Allard School of Law at UBC is pleased to offer our students the opportunity to participate in one of our many exchange programs. Students may explore opportunities at law schools in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. We have one of the broadest offerings of partner institutions of any law school in Canada.
Allard Law students may spend one term or a full year in their second or third year of studies attending law school at a UBC partner institution. Students pay their tuition and student fees to UBC and receive credit for their exchange courses at UBC.
Student Life
Peer-Reviewed Journals
The University of British Columbia Law Review and the Canadian Journal of Family Law, refereed journals, are published twice annually by student editorial boards. The Canadian Journal of Family Law was the first academic journal in Canada to devote itself to the promotion, development, and articulation of issues in the field of family law.
Allard Law Students' Society
The Allard Law Students' Society is involved with all aspects of student life and represents the interests of students on academic issues ranging from curriculum reform to faculty hiring. They organize social events throughout the year and help facilitate and fund student sports teams and clubs.
Career Placement and Bar Passage
Learn more about career placement at Peter A. Allard School of Law, University of British Columbia
Tuition and Aid
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition |
$13,149.44
|
| Fees |
$1,222.26
|
| Expected Cost of Attendance |
$41,471.42
|
Every year we award numerous awards and scholarships based on academic merit, as well as other accomplishments such as leadership and community service. Awards range in value and our most prestigious entrance award is $15,000.
The Allard School of Law also offers a robust bursary program to help students with the cost of attending law school. Bursaries are non-repayable awards that are allocated primarily on the basis of financial need. On average, every year we award over $1,000,000 dollars in bursaries to our students.
Admission Decisions: Beyond the Numbers
First-year applicants are given the option to apply under one of three different categories. While most people will fall under the General category, we encourage prospective applicants to review all three categories in order to decide which fits them best.
General Category
Your academic performance, LSAT score and personal statement are given equal priority in this category. The median LSAT score of successful applicants is 166 (93rd percentile) and the median GPA is 83%.
General applicants must have the following to be eligible for selection:
- undergraduate degree from a university, or
- three years (minimum 90 credits) from a university, 30 credits of which must be comprised of upper-level courses
Discretionary Category
You may apply in this category if you don't satisfy some of the requirements for the General category but have other relevant experiences and achievements.
Factors that the Admissions Committee can consider include:
- a disability or special needs
- membership in a historically disadvantaged group
- financial or personal challenges
- relevant personal achievements
- relevant work experience, including volunteer work
- contributions to your community
- other relevant factors
To be eligible, you must have completed at least two years of a program leading toward a university degree. Applicants with at least three years completed will also be considered for admission under the General category.
Indigenous Category
You can apply in this category if you self-identify as Aboriginal, including First Nations, Métis or Inuit. Your application will also be automatically considered under the General category.
We will prioritize applicants who:
- are involved with or committed to Indigenous communities and organizations, and
- intend to use their legal training to advance Indigenous concerns and interests.