FAQ

The program beings each September. The program may be completed in one year (three sessions with a F/W/S registration sequence) or through an extended full-time option that allows students to complete the program requirements over two years (six sessions with a F/W/S/F/W/S registration sequence). Regular classes take place on Friday evenings (from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.) and all day on Saturdays (8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.), on alternating weeks. Students also attend a three-day non-credit course called Legal Methods, and at least one intensive course (that is two weekends in length). Please review the 2020-2021 Program Calendar.

Although the program is delivered in a part-time format - Friday evenings and all day Saturday every other week - the program is considered a full-time program by the University due to the number of class hours.

Yes. The GPLLM is a Master of Laws degree, a virtually universal credential.

No. The GPLLM will provide you with a substantive, academically rigorous legal education in a variety of different areas of law. If you are licensed to practice law in another jurisdiction, the GPLLM concentration in Canadian Law in a Global Context will enable you to fulfill the NCA Core and Mandatory courses. If you are new to the law, the GPLLM will not provide you with the qualifications to practice law.

The GPLLM is a full-time executive LLM geared towards practicing lawyers and professionals from a number of different industries. The GPLLM is not a research-based program. The LLM required a JD or LLB in order to be admitted. Students in the LLM attend the Faculty’s JD classes, the majority of which are offered during the daytime. In addition, the profile of students in the GPLLM is quite different from that of our LLM program. Learn more about the current GPLLM cohort. Fees, admissions deadlines and admissions requirements also differ between the two programs. Please visit the LLM Admissions page for more information.

GPLLM students who have an undergraduate law degree might be eligible for admissions to the SJD program. For more information please review the SJD requirements here.

Typically, class sessions are delivered face-to-face in a classroom. One of the aspects of the program on which we most pride ourselves (and about which we regularly receive positive feedback) is the dynamic classroom experience. Face-to-face engagement allows you to extract the greatest value from the program while also developing close relationships with your faculty and peers.

Due to COVID-19, our method of program delivery has had to change to virtual/online learning temporarily. Please see our COVID-19 FAQ page for more information.

Please visit the Centre for International Experience for more information.

The majority of our GPLLM students are mid to senior level executives and often don't require specialized career support. All of our students are welcome to access the U of T Career Center. GPLLM students also have access to all online career resources, including the job board, at the Faculty of Law through the Career Development Office. This would be of most interest to students from our Canadian Law concentration, although all GPLLM students will have access. The Faculty of Law's Career Development Office also offers events that GPLLM students are welcome to participate in. The GPLLM program also hosts a number of information sessions and alumni panels for our Canadian Law students. These include sessions on the NCA process, LSO Licensing process, and the Law Practice Program.

We encourage you to review the information on the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) and the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) websites. Note that the GPLLM program runs from September until early August (see Program Calendar on our Admissions page) and that bar exam dates occur in the late Summer, Fall and Winter. Please review the LSO website for details.

We accept up to 120 students in total from all four concentrations each year.

If you think you would benefit from meeting with a member of the GPLLM team to discuss the program and the value it can offer you, please contact us at any time. We’d be happy to help you determine whether the GPLLM is the right fit for you given your career and personal goals. This meeting can take place in person, over the phone or via Zoom. If you are in the GTA, we are happy to meet in a location that is convenient for you (we do love coffee). Upon review of your Application, an interview may be requested if the Admissions Committee requires additional information

Fulfilling the minimum criteria only guarantees you consideration for admission to the program. Whether you receive an offer of admission is a function of the strength of your application on its own and relative to that of the other applicant. Due to the competitive nature of the program, the majority of applicants exceed the minimum admission requirements. If you are concerned that you aren’t competitive for the program, please contact us. We’d love to chat.

We take a holistic approach when reviewing applications for admission to the GPLLM. Although your academic background is one of the variables considered by the Admissions Committee, we also consider your professional experience, extra-curricular involvements, reference letters, personal statement in assessing your contributions to the classroom experience.

Please contact us for details at admissions.gpllm@utoronto.ca.

GPLLM applications will be considered in four rounds as set out on our Admissions page. Applying early in the process is particularly important for students who will need to obtain appropriate immigration documentation as the process can be a lengthy one. The GPLLM Program reserves the right to make off-cycle decisions at their sole discretion.

No. Cause for celebration, we know.

It is essential that you have a command of the English language. If your primary language is not English and you graduated from a non-Canadian university where the language of instruction and examination was not English, you must demonstrate your facility in English by completing an English-language facility test. Candidates who have completed their undergraduate degrees in a language other than in English must write their TOEFL (iBT or TWE) or IELTS (academic). The minimum overall score required is 100 (writing, 24; speaking, 24) on the TOEFL, and for the IELTS the minimum overall score is 7.5 with at least 7.0 in each component. This language requirement should be met at the time you submit your application.

If your transcripts/documents are in a language other than English, you must also submit notarized English translations. Translations do not replace original documentation. Both the original documents and translations must be submitted. Exception: French is an official language of Canada and we therefore do not require English translations of transcripts in French.

A $125 CDN application fee is required. This fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.

The annual tuition fee includes the program fee, and most course material.

Please visit the Student Account website for all tuition fee payment options available to GPLLM students.

Unfortunately, students in the GPLLM are not currently eligible for financial aid.

The University of Toronto, Faculty of Law does not offer direct financing or student financial aid for the GPLLM. However, the GPLLM qualifies for the Scotiabank Professional Student Plan, Life Long Learning Plan (LLP), and Ontario Student Assistant Program (OSAP). For more information please visit our Fees page.

The GPLLM is considered a full-time program and therefore the tuition fee is partly tax deductible. It also qualifies for the Canada Revenue Agency’s Life Long Learning Plan.