Go Back

Western University – Faculty of Law In-Depth Guide: Programs, Admissions, Rankings & Visa Inf

Name: Western University – Faculty of Law In-Depth Guide: Programs, Admissions, Rankings & Visa Inf
Address: 1151 Richmond Street, London, Ontario, Canada, N6A 3K7

Canada, Ontario

LLM Abroad, PhD in Law

Popular

Western University – Faculty of Law, Ontario, CA

1. Introduction

Western University’s Faculty of Law, also known as Western Law, is Ontario’s leading common law institution offering robust legal education to Canadian and international students. With a strong academic reputation, experiential learning opportunities, and global connections, Western Law prepares future legal leaders.

2. Historical Background

Founded in 1959, Western Law has evolved over six decades into a distinguished legal education hub known for its collegial community and scholarly contributions. Located in the Josephine-Spencer Niblett Building in London, Ontario, the Faculty emphasizes research, advocacy, clinics, and experiential learning.

3. Law Courses & English Requirements

Here’s a detailed table of all law study programs offered, including durations, types, and English language requirements:

Program	Level & Duration	Description	English Language Tests & Scores
Juris Doctor (JD)	Professional law – 3 years	Primary law degree preparing for practice; includes Small Group Program & experiential learning.	TOEFL iBT: 109+ (min 25 writing/speaking), IELTS: 8.0, Duolingo: 130+
Extended-Time JD	Professional law – extended schedule	Same as JD with flexible pacing.	Same as JD above.
HBA/JD	Combined Undergraduate + JD – ~6 years	Combined Honours Business Administration + JD with Ivey Business School.	Same as JD above.
BESc/JD	Combined Engineering + JD – ~6 years	Engineering Science + JD.	Same as JD above.
LLM (Master of Laws)	Graduate – 1–2 years	Advanced research or project based law degree for JD/LLB holders.	Graduate English: TOEFL iBT 109+, IELTS 8.0+, Duolingo 130+ (per grad requirements)
PhD in Law	Doctoral – ~4 years	Research-intensive doctorate training future legal scholars.	Graduate English: TOEFL iBT 109+, IELTS 8.0+, Duolingo 130+
MSL (Master of Studies in Law)	Graduate – 1–2 years	For non-law background students seeking legal knowledge.	Same as Graduate English requirements.

Note: Programs like JD/LLM in partnership with University of Groningen (Netherlands) exist for dual qualifications.

4. Key Highlights of Top Law Courses at Western University

Juris Doctor (JD)

Small Group Program: Personalized attention with small class cohorts.
Experiential Learning: Moots, clinics, internships & advocacy training.
International Exchange: Programs with 20+ global partners.

LLM

Flexible Options: Thesis or project-based pathways.

PhD in Law

Academic Focus: Designed for future scholars and academics.

5. Entrance Exam (If Required)

Program	Entrance Exam	Details
JD / Extended TD / Combined JD	LSAT	Required; highest score used even if multiple sittings.
LLM / PhD / MSL	Not required per se	Academic background and other criteria matter more; GRE may be needed for MSL.

6. Top 5 Reasons to Choose Western Law

Global Reputation: Strong positioning in Canadian law landscape and ranked within the top law schools nationally.
Experiential Learning: Clinical programs, partner internships, and hands-on advocacy training.
Small Class Interaction: Small Group Program enhances engagement.
International Opportunities: Exchanges with world law schools plus dual degrees.
Strong Research Outputs: LLM & PhD programs attract research funding and faculty mentorship.

7. Grades & Ranking of Western University, Canada

Ranking Source	Position / Status
Times Higher Education – Law Canada 2025	Ranked ~11th among Canadian law schools.
Western University Overall QS 2026	QS World Rank ~151 globally.
Western Law Reputation	Recognized for teaching quality & research.

8. Documents Required for Admission

Category	Required Documents
JD Admissions	LSAT score report, Undergraduate transcripts, Letters of reference, Personal statement, Resume/CV, English test scores (if applicable).
Graduate Law (LLM/PhD/MSL)	Transcripts, Writing sample, Resume/CV, Reference letters, English test scores (if needed), Research proposal (PhD).

9. How to Apply for Admission

Program Type	Application Portal	Steps
JD & Combined Programs	OLSAS	Create OLSAS account > upload transcripts > submit LSAT > write essays > references > submit before deadline.
LLM / PhD / MSL	Western SGPS Portal	Create SGPS application > upload academic docs > references > research proposal (PhD) > submit application fee.

10. Contact Details

Contact Detail	Information
Law Reception Phone	+1 519-661-3346
JD Admissions Phone	+1 519-661-3347
Graduate Admissions Email	lawgrad@uwo.ca
JD Admissions Email	lawapp@uwo.ca
Address	1151 Richmond Street, London, Ontario, Canada, N6A 3K7
Website	https://law.uwo.ca/