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University of British Columbia – Peter A. Allard School of Law – In-Depth Guide (Programs, Requirements & Admissions)

Name: University of British Columbia – Peter A. Allard School of Law – In-Depth Guide (Programs, Requirements & Admissions)
Address: Peter A. Allard School of Law 1822 East Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1, Canada

British Columbia, Canada

LLM Abroad, PhD in Law

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University of British Columbia – Peter A. Allard School of Law

1. Introduction

The Peter A. Allard School of Law is the law faculty of the prestigious University of British Columbia (UBC), one of Canada’s leading public research universities located in Vancouver, British Columbia. It offers globally recognized legal education, attracting domestic and international students, including those from India. UBC Law combines rigorous academics with experiential learning, Indigenous legal studies, and opportunities for global engagement.

2. Historical Background

Originally established as UBC’s Faculty of Law in 1945, the institution was renamed the Peter A. Allard School of Law in 2015 in recognition of a major philanthropic gift by alumnus Peter A. Allard. Over decades, the school has grown into one of Canada’s top law schools, known for its strong curriculum, cutting-edge research, and commitment to social justice and international legal scholarship.

3. Law Programs & English Language Requirements

Program	Level	Duration	Intake	English Test Requirement	Official Info Source
Juris Doctor (JD)	Professional Law Degree	3 years	Fall (Sept)	TOEFL 100 / IELTS 7.0 if prior degree not in English	Allard JD Program page (Allard School of Law)
Master of Laws (LLM) – General	Graduate Law	12 months	Fall (Sept)	TOEFL 100 / IELTS 7.0	Allard Graduate Programs page (Allard School of Law)
LLM in Common Law (LLM CL)	Graduate Law	~12 months	May & September	TOEFL 100 / IELTS 7.0	Allard Graduate Programs page (Allard School of Law)
LLM in Taxation (LLM Tax)	Graduate Law	~12 months	August	TOEFL 100 / IELTS 7.0	Allard Graduate Programs page (Allard School of Law)
Doctor of Philosophy in Law (PhD)	Research-Focused	~3–6 years	Fall (Sept)	TOEFL 100 / IELTS 7.0	UBC Academic Calendar (UBC Academic Calendar)

Note: All English requirements apply if your prior education was not delivered in English. Official test thresholds are from UBC Law and UBC Academic Calendar.

4. Key Highlights of Top Law Courses

Juris Doctor (JD)

Creates foundation in common law principles.
Includes experiential learning: clinics, moots, community legal experiences.
Focus on critical thinking, international and Indigenous law.

Master of Laws (LLM)

LLM (Common Law): Ideal for international lawyers seeking expertise in common law systems.
LLM Taxation: Specialized focus on tax policy and practice.

PhD in Law

Intense research training for academic or high-level policy careers.
Includes dissertation and comprehensive exams.

5. Entrance Exam Requirements – Peter A. Allard School of Law

Program	Is Entrance Exam Required?	Name of Exam	Exam Details / Remarks
Juris Doctor (JD)	✅ Yes	LSAT (Law School Admission Test)	LSAT is mandatory. UBC generally considers the best LSAT score on record. The exam assesses logical reasoning, analytical reasoning, and reading comprehension.
Master of Laws (LLM – General)	❌ No	Not Required	Admission is based on prior law degree (LLB/JD or equivalent), academic performance, and supporting documents.
LLM – Common Law	❌ No	Not Required	Designed for internationally trained lawyers; LSAT is not required.
LLM – Taxation	❌ No	Not Required	Admission depends on academic background in law/tax and professional credentials.
PhD in Law	❌ No	Not Required	Selection is based on research proposal, academic excellence, and faculty supervision availability.

6. Top 5 Reasons to Choose UBC Allard School of Law

1. Global Reputation: Ranked among the top law schools in Canada and in the world.
2. Strong Legal Curriculum: Rich course offerings with experiential opportunities.
3. International Community: Draws students from across the world with exchange and dual-degree linkages.
4. Research Excellence: Robust graduate and PhD research environment.
5. Indigenous Legal Focus: Early and ongoing leadership in Indigenous legal education.

7. Grade & Ranking of the Law School

UBC Law is ranked consistently among Canada’s top law schools and globally recognized.
UBC generally ranks highly as a university worldwide and in law subject rankings.

8. Documents Required for Admission

A. Documents Required for JD (Juris Doctor) Admission

Document Name	Requirement Details
Online Application Form	Submitted through UBC Allard Law admissions portal
Academic Transcripts	Official transcripts of all post-secondary education
LSAT Score Report	Mandatory; sent directly via LSAC
Personal Statement	Explains motivation, background, and suitability for law
Letters of Reference	As per application category (if applicable)
Resume / CV	Academic and professional background
English Language Test Score	TOEFL / IELTS, if prior education was not in English
Application Fee	Non-refundable, payable online

B. Documents Required for LLM & PhD Admission

Document Name	Requirement Details
Online Graduate Application	Submitted via UBC Graduate Studies portal
Academic Transcripts	Law degree transcripts (LLB/JD equivalent)
Curriculum Vitae (CV)	Academic, research, and professional details
Statement of Intent	Academic goals and program relevance
Letters of Reference	Usually 2–3 academic/professional referees
Research Proposal	Mandatory for PhD, recommended for LLM
English Language Proficiency	TOEFL / IELTS (if applicable)
Writing Sample	Required for PhD applicants

All requirements are program-specific and verified from UBC official graduate admissions pages.

9. How to Apply for Admission – Step-by-Step Process

A. Application Process for JD Program

Step No.	Step Description
Step 1	Confirm eligibility (Bachelor’s degree + LSAT requirement)
Step 2	Register and appear for LSAT via LSAC
Step 3	Create an account on UBC Allard Law admissions portal
Step 4	Complete online application and upload required documents
Step 5	Arrange official transcripts and LSAT score submission
Step 6	Pay the application fee
Step 7	Track application status via the portal
Step 8	Receive admission decision (offers generally start early year)

JD intake is once a year – Fall (September). Application deadlines usually close in early December.

B. Application Process for LLM & PhD Programs

Step No.	Step Description
Step 1	Identify the suitable LLM or PhD program
Step 2	Review program-specific eligibility and deadlines
Step 3	Prepare academic documents, CV, and statements
Step 4	Draft research proposal (mandatory for PhD)
Step 5	Apply online via UBC Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies portal
Step 6	Upload all required documents and references
Step 7	Pay application fee
Step 8	Await admission decision and offer letter