Osgoode Professional Development

Osgoode offers the broadest range of programs available in Canada for internationally trained lawyers. Whether you are looking to specialize with a professional graduate degree or start the process of qualifying to practise common law in Canada, there’s a learning option to suit your needs. From full-time professional graduate degrees to non-credit courses to help you prepare for the NCA Exams, Osgoode has your development goals in mind.

Students will complete their studies in two locations: at Osgoode Hall Law School on the York University campus, and at Osgoode Professional Development in downtown Toronto. This gives students access to the full range of campus services, and downtown Toronto amenities.

Osgoode’s Internationally Trained Lawyers Day (OITLD). Join us on May 24!

OITLD is a unique opportunity for lawyers and law graduates from around the globe and those who may otherwise be going through the process of accreditation or licensing alone, to learn, share, network and celebrate internationally trained talent across Canada. This year’s event will be hybrid, giving you the ability to be part of our morning sessions online or joining us in-person for the full-day! Here's a glimpse of what you can expect.

Get started with our on demand information sessions!

Looking to study or practise law in Canada? Our Study Law in Canada and Practise Law in Canada on-demand info sessions are designed to help you better understand our program offerings and provide you with the confidence to choose the program that best fits your background and interests.

Still have questions after viewing the video? Join us at our weekly drop in Q&A sessions.

Full-Time Professional LLMs

LLM in International Business Law
Osgoode's Professional LLM in International Business Law is one-year, full-time specialization is designed to give lawyers and professionals from around the world advanced training in international business law. Award-winning faculty teach the latest developments in international trade law, international finance, international business transactions, taxation of cross-border transactions and other related topics. The specialization provides students with knowledge in critical, core international business law courses while allowing you the opportunity to pursue your academic interests through electives.

LLM in Canadian Common Law
Osgoode's Professional LLM in Canadian Common Law provides the opportunity to take core courses in Canadian common law topics taught at the graduate level along with a wide range of elective options. The core courses are specifically designed to meet the requirements of the Federation of Law Societies of Canada’s National Committee on Accreditation (NCA).

LLM in Taxation Law
Osgoode's Professional LLM in Taxation Law offers students an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the policies, principles and the internal logic of tax laws in Canada and internationally. It covers all aspects of tax law from the most basic rules underlying traditional personal tax planning principles to current developments in the sophisticated design of financial instruments. Courses are taught by a diverse range of highly qualified scholars and practitioners, all of whom are leaders in their areas of practice.

LLM in General Law
Focus your studies in the areas you’re passionate about. Osgoode's Professional LLM in General Law offers students a catalogue of more than 100 graduate level courses and 13 areas of specialization, where you’ll be sure to design a degree that will help you achieve your personal and professional goals.

Want to deepen your knowledge in a specific area of law? Are you on the road to accreditation, or looking for preparatory programs to help you succeed in future graduate studies? Osgoode’s selection of non-degree offerings provide you with the knowledge and theory you need to achieve your professional development goals.

Graduate Diploma in Foundations of Canadian Law
Online NCA Exam Prep (currently undergoing a refresh)
Single Course Enrollment (SCE)
YUELI’s Intensive Advanced Legal English Program
Summer Programs

Part-Time Professional LLMs and Diploma Program
With 15+ specializations, you have the option to customize a program of study to suit your needs. Specially designed for lawyers, executives and experienced professionals wanting to develop their expertise in a particular area of law, our part-time LLMs and graduate diploma program, complement your busy schedule and can be completed while working full-time, via distance learning. This technology brings professionals located outside of Toronto into the classroom, with just a click.

Administrative Law
Business Law
Canadian Common Law
Constitutional Law
Construction Law
Criminal Law and Procedure
Dispute Resolution
Energy and Infrastructure Law
Financial Law
General Law
Health Law
Intellectual Property Law
International Business Law
Labour Relations and Employment Law
Privacy and Cybersecurity Law
Securities Law
Tax Law
Graduate Diploma in Foundations of Canadian Law - Part-Time

"Osgoode’s International Business Law program provided me with an unexpectedly fantastic experience. With the help and encouragement of my professors, I never knew that I could handle such difficult challenges until I really tried."

"The LLM in Canadian Common Law is an excellent learning opportunity. The LLM experience is much more valuable than completing the NCA challenge exams alone. You have the opportunity to benefit from your professor’s knowledge and experience and I was repeatedly impressed by the professor’s willingness to connect with students as fellow legal professionals. The LLM program helped me be more confident and it opened many doors for me in my legal career in Canada."

"[I] decided to take a sabbatical from [my] practice to delve deeper into [my] passion for tax law. The opportunity to be taught by tax industry leaders like Professor Jinyan Li, and to engage in class with other experienced and qualified peers was an opportunity only Osgoode could provide."

International Student Entrance Awards

Osgoode entrance awards are open to international students applying to a full-time LLM program. To be considered for this award, applicants to the program must submit the award application form and provide the contact information for a reference who can speak to their academic potential, in addition to submitting the documents required for the Professional LLM admission application.

The deadline for Fall entry award applications is January 15 or April 15, for Winter entry.

OsgoodePD International Entrance Award of Excellence
Applications for this award are open to international students applying to a full-time LLM program who have at least five years of post-graduate professional legal experience and demonstrate excellent academic potential. The award is valued at $30,000 (which is paid out in three installments over the three terms of the program). A total of six awards (three to students starting in the Fall term and three to students starting in the Winter term) will be granted each year.

OsgoodePD International Entrance Award of Merit
Applications for this award are open to international students applying to a full-time LLM program who have at least two years of post-graduate professional legal experience and demonstrate excellent academic potential. The award is valued at $10,000 (which is paid out in three installments over the three terms of the program). A total of twelve awards (six to students starting in the Fall term and six to students starting in the Winter term) will be granted each year.

The Professor Marilyn L. Pilkington Award
Professor Marilyn L. Pilkington, the Dean of Osgoode Hall Law School from 1993 to 1998 and founder of Osgoode Professional Development, established this award to be given to a student pursuing studies in the LLM program. The award will be granted annually (each Fall term) to a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, protected person, resident of Ontario, on the basis of academic achievement and financial need. Preference will be given to a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School. Applications for the Professor Marilyn L. Pilkington are made through the Osgoode Professional Development bursary application.

Visit our Financial Assistance page for more information.

Course and Career Counselling services
Special enrolment and orientation
International student clubs and associations
On-campus accommodation
On campus medical facilities
Social Activities
Special English language
Sporting facilities

Study law while experiencing the city of Toronto!

Studying abroad is a great opportunity for international students who want to invest in their academic and professional futures. Not only does it open the door to better career opportunities, you’ll get the chance to experience a city consistently voted one of the best places in the world to live, Toronto!

Discover our summer programs and get ready to kickstart your law career at Osgoode Hall Law School, one of the oldest, largest and most distinguished law schools in Canada.

Osgoode’s Summer Program on Canadian Business Law and Language
Osgoode’s Summer Program on Governance Through Law

Year institution founded: 1889

Get started with our on demand information sessions!

Looking to study or practise law in Canada? Our Study Law in Canada and Practise Law in Canada on demand info sessions are designed to help you better understand our program offerings and provide you with the confidence to choose the program that best fits your background and interests.

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