Graduate Diploma in Foundations of Canadian Law, GDL, Osgoode Professional Development, York University

Canada

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Study options for this course

The award	How you will study	Study duration	Course start	Domestic course fees	International course fees
GDL	Full-time	2 semester	January	CAD 9900 total	CAD 19647 total

About Graduate Diploma in Foundations of Canadian Law, GDL - at Osgoode Professional Development, York University

The Only Program of Its Kind in Canada.

Build solid understanding of the Canadian legal system for your academic and professional goals in law.

The Graduate Diploma in Foundations of Canadian Law is designed to provide a deep understanding of Canadian law in the key areas of public and private law. It covers foundational aspects of the Canadian legal landscape, including Canada’s legal history and structure; skills-focused topics, such as legal research and writing; and more specialized topics, through elective courses of your choice. Learn from expert faculty and network with professionals across a variety of industries. The Graduate Diploma in Foundations of Canadian Law opens the doors to better career opportunities in the Canadian legal market and can set the stage for further graduate study.

Learn more about Graduate Diploma in Foundations of Canadian Law, GDL - at Osgoode Professional Development, York University

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Notes about fees for this course

Please note that the tuition/fees displayed here are subject to change, and may vary depending on your entry term.

Domestic

$4,950.00 per term for 2 terms, $9,900.00 total

International

$9,823.28 per term for 2 terms, $19,646.56 total

Entry requirements

Who should apply?

Graduates of law degree programs from civil law jurisdictions outside Canada who need to build a strong foundation in common law before pursuing accreditation to practise in Canada.
Internationally trained law graduates looking for academic and career training and support.

The Admissions Committee reviews each applicant’s completed file and takes into consideration criteria such as academic background, professional work experience, and whether the program fits your stated goals. The information below represents the minimum requirements for admission consideration to our diploma program – meeting these criteria does not guarantee admission.

A degree in law from outside Canada with a minimum overall “B” (75%) average (or equivalent)
Applicants without a law degree must have an honours bachelor’s degree with a minimum overall “B” (75%) average or (or equivalent) and at least two years of relevant professional experience involving exposure to legal or regulatory issues
Acceptable English language proficiency (see requirements)

Fees, Funding and Scholarships at Osgoode Professional Development, York University

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.

Student reviews of Osgoode Professional Development, York University

Find out what students say about Osgoode Professional Development, York University

Maria Estela Anaya Reyes LLB, LLM (International Business Law)

"My classmates provided a very multicultural environment in class and out of it, and were happy to share their experiences and offer guidance. Since they were going through different stages of their careers themselves, the richness of their in-the-field experiences was outstanding."

Francisco Rojas LLB, LLM (Canadian Common Law)

"The Professional LLM in Canadian Common Law was valuable in a number of ways. Firstly, the program provides students with the necessary knowledge, tools and career support for learning Canadian common law and preparing to enter the Canadian legal marketplace. Secondly, every student’s background and legal work experience gives rise to engaging conversations and the opportunity to learn from one another. Finally, the professors are practitioners and well-versed in their respective areas, which provides a valuable in-depth learning experience from academic, theoretical and practical perspectives."

Juan Carlos Diaz JD, LLM (Taxation Law and Canadian Common Law LLM)

"The program's emphasis on both domestic and international tax aspects has been instrumental in broadening my horizons as a tax law practitioner. It equipped me with a versatile skill set, enabling me to navigate the intricacies of tax laws across different jurisdictions and offer valuable insights to clients with diverse needs. One of the most significant benefits of the program was the exposure to real-world scenarios and practical case studies. This experiential learning approach honed my problem-solving abilities and decision-making skills, making me a more effective and confident tax professional."