Graduate Admissions

Western Law welcomes applications from Canadian and international graduate students. Please read the following information carefully when preparing your application. More detailed information about our graduate degrees can be found on our Graduate Programs page. We look forward to welcoming you into our scholarly and collegial community.

Please be sure to read the Elements of a Complete Application below and make sure you have all the documents needed to complete your application. Only complete applications will be considered by the Graduate Admissions Committee. 

NB: Please note that there is no special matured students' path currently. 

Click the "Apply Now" button at the bottom of this page to go directly to the application portal.

Application Deadline

Applications are now closed for September 2023 entry to our Master’s and PhD programs. We do not anticipate accepting additional applications from international applicants. We may have additional spaces for domestic applicants and, if so, we will re-open the application at a later date. Please watch for an announcement on this page. Applications for entry in September 2024 will open in October 2023 with an application deadline of January 15, 2024.

For the Graduate Diploma in Mining Law program, the application deadline for September 2024 entry is June 30, 2024.

Admission Requirements

Applicants for the LLM program must have completed a JD or equivalent (LLB) with a minimum average of B (74%) in the last two years of full-time study.

Applicants for the MSL program must have completed a 4 year Bachelor's or higher degree with a minimum average of B (74%) in the last two years of full-time study.

Applicants to the PhD program will typically have a Master’s degree in law with a minimum B+ (78%) average. Students from disciplines other than law may be considered if they demonstrate adequate preparation in legal theory and methodology (at least three full-course equivalents above the first-year JD/LLB level including one seminar). Applicants who believe they have suitable alternate qualifications for admission to the PhD program should contact the Graduate Assistant (lawgrad@uwo.ca).

Admission is competitive and meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. Admissions decisions will take into account, among other things, the availability of faculty who are willing to supervise the applicant’s intended area of research. 

Applicants to Western Law's Graduate Diploma in Mining Law, Finance, and Sustainability (GDip) must have completed a Bachelor's Degree with a minimum average of B (74%) in the last two years of full-time study. The Bachelor’s Degree should be in a discipline that is relevant to the program, such as Geology, Geophysics, Engineering, Geography, Environmental Science, Indigenous Studies, Anthropology, Political Science, or equivalent. Currently not accepting applications for 2024/2025 admissions until further notice. 

Applicants who wish to take courses offered by Mining Law, Finance, and Sustainability but do not wish to pursue the diploma credential should choose the “non-degree” option in the application portal. You must have completed a Bachelor’s Degree (in any discipline) with a minimum average of B (74%) in the last two years of full-time study. In exceptional circumstances, equivalent work experience in the mining industry may be considered as an alternative to a university degree. Please contact the Graduate Assistant (lawgrad@uwo.ca) for details. 

The Elements of a Complete Application

Please click on the heading below to see a complete description of that requirement for each program.

(a) Transcripts

As part of the online application process, you will be asked to upload unofficial copies of your transcripts for preliminary assessment of your application; however, if you are offered admission you are required to provide one official academic transcript* from each post-secondary institution you have attended. These documents should be mailed directly to The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

Past or current students of The University of Western Ontario must upload unofficial transcripts or a copy of the Web Academic Report for their academic history at Western, but will not be required to submit official transcripts. This information will be obtained internally.

*Western considers a transcript official only if it is received in a university envelope that is sealed and signed (or stamped) on the flap by the official person in the office issuing the transcript. If the transcript and degree certificate are not in English, a certified translation must also be included. (Non-English transcripts from institutions within Canada do not require a translation.)

(b) English Language Proficiency

Applicants whose first language is not English must furnish evidence of their proficiency in the use of the English language by a satisfactory achievement within the last two years in one of the following:

  • The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The minimum acceptable score for the Faculty of Law for applicants to all graduate programs is 109 for the internet-based version, with a minimum score of 25 for writing and speaking skills, 267 (computer-based) or 630 (paper-based). [Western's TOEFL ID is 0984].  Application forms and additional information may be obtained from the TOEFL website.
  • The International English Language Testing Service Academic (IELTS Academic).The minimum acceptable score for the Faculty of Law is 8.0 out of 9. The IELTS is offered at multiple test centres worldwide. Information on IELTS may be obtained from the IELTS website.
  • NEW To respond to challenges around access to IELTS and TOEFL testing due to restrictions imposed to combat the COVID 19 virus, graduate programs at the Faculty of Law will now accept the Duolingo English Test in lieu of IELTS or TOEFL for those applying for admission to programs beginning in September 2022. The minimum score acceptable for the Faculty of Law is 130. The Duolingo testing website is https://englishtest.duolingo.com/home. Please select “Western University – Graduate Studies” from the Institution list.

Applicants will self-report test scores as part of the online application; however, official test scores must, without exception, be received before admission will be given.

List of exempted countries: Australia, Barbados, Botswana, Canada, Ghana, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Malta, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States of America, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

(c) Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

The Graduate Record Examination is required for all applicants to the MSL program (not required for applicants to LLM, PhD, or GDip programs). Applicants who present evidence that their previous professional programs or graduate programs have required the GRE, GMAT, MCAT or other, similar, standardized tests will normally have the requirement for the GRE waived. [Western's GRE ID is 0984]

Applicants may self-report test scores as part of the online application; however, official test scores must be received before admission will be given.

(d) Writing Sample

Every applicant must provide a sample of academic writing, such as a research paper, thesis or a published journal article. For application to the LLM or PhD programs, the subject matter of the academic writing sample must be legal.  For application to the MSL or GDip programs, the subject matter of the academic writing sample may be the applicant’s choice.  This writing sample should be uploaded as part of the online application.

(e) Thesis Statement

If you are applying for the thesis-based LLM or MSL program, you must provide a clearly articulated outline of approximately 200 words describing the topic on which you would intend to write your thesis.

Applications for the project-based LLM or MSL do not require a thesis statement. Instead, we ask that you submit a short statement describing your intended area of research.

All PhD candidates are required to submit a statement of 500-750 words detailing their area for a potential dissertation topic.

This is a critical document that will facilitate finding a match with a faculty supervisor in our program. Students will only be admitted if there is capacity to supervise their topic. Students must indicate one or more areas of specialisation around which their interests are centred.

This thesis statement or research statement must be uploaded as part of the online application.

Applications for the Graduate Diploma in Mining Law, Finance, and Sustainability do not require a thesis or research statement; however, the Graduate Admissions Committee would appreciate a short statement from you describing why you are interested in pursuing this program.

(f) Resume

Your resume should include your academic history, awards and scholarships, publications, and any work or volunteer experience related to your planned research or which demonstrates your preparation for graduate studies.

(g) The online application and references

As part of this online application process, you will be asked to pay the application fee; you will be asked to provide biographical information and contact information; you will be asked information about your reasons for applying to our graduate program.  The system will also ask you for the names and contact information of those persons whom you wish to use as your academic references.  Western Law requires two letters of reference which speak to your scholastic ability. Thus, if professional reference, they should be able to speak to your research background and strengths. 

Western’s School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies will send a reference form and information directly to each of your referees. Your referees can then submit their references for you directly back to Western using the electronic system. No paper reference letters are required.  If, however, your referee prefers not to deal with the electronic process, we will provide a copy of our required reference form to your referee.  Your referee will then be responsible for forwarding the reference to lawgrad@uwo.ca or to the Graduate Programs Assistant at the address above.

If, after completing your online application to one of our graduate programs, you wish to change or update information which pertains to your referees, you may access the reference system online. You will require your Login ID and Access Key as provided to you in an email titled "Your Application to Graduate Studies; Important Information," which should arrive 2-3 days after you’ve submitted your application.

(h) Proof of Citizenship/Permanent Residence Status

If you are claiming Canadian citizenship but were born outside Canada, you will need to provide proof of Canadian citizenship; if you are claiming status as a permanent resident of Canada, you will need to provide proof of status; if you have changed your name, you will have to provide proof of that name change, such as a marriage certificate or other legal change of name documentation. This evidence, if required, will be submitted through the online application system.

Applications to the graduate programs are submitted online through the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (SGPS). Official transcripts, language test and GRE results (if required) must be sent directly to SGPS by the issuing institution, at the following address:
Graduate Admissions
School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
International and Graduate Affairs Building, Room 1N07
Western University
1151 Richmond Street
London, Ontario Canada N6A 3K7

 

It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all documents are submitted by the appropriate deadline for admission in the following fall term. Only complete applications will be considered.

All documents are to be uploaded in the application portal as much as possible. 

 Apply Now


Financing Your Graduate Studies

Western Law offers competitive funding packages for graduate students in our Master’s and PhD programs. The Graduate Diploma (GDip) is a professional graduate program and students in this program are expected to fund their own education. 

For more information about tuition, fees, and funding packages, please visit our Graduate Student Finances and Regulations page.