Why Study Law in the UK?

Written by Canada Law From Abroad - 06/09/2023

Why should you, as a Canadian, study law in the UK? We'll give you three reasons!

1. You do NOT need to write the dreaded LSAT

There are different entry requirements for law school in Canada and in the UK. In Canada applicants are required to write the Law School Admission Test, which is also commonly referred to as the LSAT. Generally, the LSAT requires intense study and preparation including attending LSAT preparation courses which can be costly. When adding on the costs of the test, the Credential Assembly Service fee, and study materials, the LSAT is not only a financial burden but it can be psychologically straining, as it can take months to prepare for the test. If the applicant is in their final year of their undergraduate studies, the LSAT may not be a feasible option as the majority of time is already being devoted to maintaining a strong GPA, preparing personal statements or even part-time work.

In the UK, however, there is no need to write the LSAT. The application process to law school in the UK is straightforward: you need to submit your academic transcripts from high school and any formal education completed after high school (including any university or college), an academic reference letter, and a personal statement. Applications are made via the University College Application Service (UCAS) which has one application fee and gives students up to 5 university choices in their one application.

2. Save your time and money

At first glance, tuition for law school in the UK may appear high compared to Canadian tuition, but it is important to remember that a UK law degree is normally shorter than a Canadian law degree. This means that not only do students spend less time getting their degree, but can save on tuition fees and living expenses. Tuition costs for overseas students can vary quite significantly from one university to the next (and even from one year to the next), but you can speak to your Canada Law From Abroad advisor to explore universities and their tuition fees for the year you're looking to apply.

In Canada, law school is a minimum of three years and can cost over $100,000 CAD. By comparison, in the UK if a student opts to take the 2 year accelerated LLB programme, the entire tuition for two years can be less or comparable in cost depending on the university. Add on the time and cost of four years of undergraduate studies required before being admitted to law school in Canada, and studying law in the UK can be both a fast and cost efficient route to becoming a lawyer.

3. Gain international experience

The UK attracts top students from around the world because studying law in the UK is a wonderful opportunity to gain international experience. Not only is it the motherland of Common Law, but it is just a short train ride away to the continent where civil law reigns supreme. Moreover, future employers find individuals with experience studying and working in a different country than the one they originated from attractive, as it demonstrates initiative and a willingness to adapt to changing situations.

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Tips for Canadian Students Living in the UK

Written by Canada Law From Abroad - 06/09/2023

So you have decided to study Law in the UK, a country known for its exceptional education! This is an exciting time for you, you'll be getting your student visa, your plane tickets, and starting to pack. Of course, you're also probably feeling the nerves kick in. Not only will you be travelling to a new country, you'll be in a new education system. But not to worry, Canada Law From Abroad is still here to help! Here are some ideas of what to expect when you arrive in the UK.

Arrival

Most universities offer an airport pick-up service for international students. This is a great option, as you will not have to worry about travelling to the school with all your luggage! Its also a great way to meet other new international students. If you are living on campus, you will have a welcome crew to help you move in, these are students who can give you details about your accommodation and the school that you wont find online. There are also Welcome Events, International Student Events/Orientation, and Freshers Week. Try to go to all of the events that you can! This is how you will meet people, including you classmates, and get more comfortable with where you are. Make sure to join your local Canadian Student Law Society. Does your university not have one? Maybe you should think about starting one! This would show great initiative, and there are bound to be other Canadians looking for a law society to join.

Classes

Use your first week of classes to organize your calendar, get your syllabus, and know your due dates! You should know all of the dates for your exams and coursework deadlines. Do not book tickets home for holidays until you know the exact dates for everything, in order to avoid any flight cancellations later on. Ask your professor if you need to know early. Also be sure to get to know your classmates. With organized group projects, debates, and mooting, you will want to know who you are working with. Your classes in the UK will be more professionally focused, and in your first year you will mostly be taking core law modules. Classes in the UK are a little different than in Canada. In the UK, you might have one or two big lectures a week, but mostly you will have seminars or tutorials with small group discussions. The majority of study is self-lead, so be self-motivated!

Grades

In the UK they use a different grading scale. Although there is no exact conversion, here is a table to give you an idea of what your grades are equal to, but keep in mind that all the schools are different both in the UK and in Canada.

UK Degrees	UK Percentage Grades	Canadian Percentage Grades	Letter Grades CAN/UK
First (1:1)	90-100 80-89 70-79	90-100 85-89 80-84	A+ A A-
Upper Second (2:1)	60-69	77-79 73-76	B+ B
Lower Second (2:2)	50-59	70-72 67-69 63-66	B- C+ C
Ordinary Pass	40-49	60-62 57-59 53-56	C- D+ D D-
Fail	30-39 20-29 10-19 0-9	50-52 0-39 0-34.9	D- / E F F- / G H

Learn more about UK grading when compared to Canada here.

Fun

Make sure you look up what else your university offers! Sometimes they have free language classes you can take, they might offer study abroad (if you're not doing a 2-year LLB), or have places for students to work at a Law Clinic or Pro Bono Clinic. Some universities also offer guaranteed places in LLM programmes once you've finished your LLB in good standing. These are all things that you might be interested in. Also, Quiz Nights at your local pubs are a great way to get to know where you are living and the people who you are living with! Remember that you are in the UK. While you may be going to law school, you don't want to burn out by studying for your whole time overseas. Make sure to take holidays when you can. Travel around the UK, go explore Europe, and experience new things! These will all help you grow in your personal life which in turn will help you grow in your professional life as well. If you find you have free time, why not read what some of our students have to say about their UK study experience.

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London's Top Law Destinations for Students

Written by Canada Law From Abroad - 06/09/2023

All but one of the Canadian provinces uses the Common Law legal system, the same system used by one third of the world's population today. Therefore, if you are a future Canadian lawyer you will likely be practicing and living under Common Law. So, why not study where it all began?

Common Law began in England during the Middle Ages under King Henry the II. When you attend one of Canada Law From Abroad's preferred UK Law Schools not only do you get the opportunity to study law from world class experts, but you get to do so while surrounded by centuries of legal history.

When you need a study break during your academic adventures, you won't want to miss these top law destinations found in England's capital: London!

1. The Old Bailey

With the golden Lady Justice standing on guard atop of this iconic London building, the Old Bailey, known as The Central Criminal Court of England and Wales, is a place no future lawyer should skip. Inside the Old Bailey all major criminal cases from the Greater London area are tried and these trials are open to viewing from the public galleries. The building received its name as it was built along London's original fortified walls and has a long history dating back to 1674. Here, many of England's most notorious and violent criminals were sentenced to hanging in the public square between the Court and the Newgate Prison. Entry is free and privately booked guided, inexpensive tours can be obtained.

2. Temple, London and The Inns of Court

There are four historic Inns of Court: Lincolns Inn, Inner Temple, Middle Temple and Grays Inn, where barristers in training traditionally received their legal education. If you are a City Law School student you will become very familiar with the Inns of Court as they are now a part of the campus. The Inns of Court were the first providers of legal education in England and each society dates to Middle Ages. The Inner and Middle Temple are named after the Knights Templar, whereas Lincolns Inn is named after the Third Earl of Lincoln, and Grays Inn after the Baron Grey of Wilton. The Inner and Middle Temple are located in-between the Dickson Poon School of Law at Kings College London and the Royal Courts of Justice, and Grays and Lincolns Inn are located in the nearby London Borough of Camden. Some of their famous alumni include Francis Bacon, Margaret Thatcher, and William Osgoode the first Chief Justice of Ontario. Private and group visits can be booked at the individual Inns of Court and range from complimentary to 25 for guided tours.

3. Royal Courts of Justice

A place no law student should miss while in London! The Royal Courts of Justice is one of the largest courts in all of Europe. In 1882 the impressive Victorian Gothic building was opened by Queen Victoria herself. The Royal Courts of Justice still contain the High Court and the Court of Appeal for England and Wales. The Royal Courts are just a stones throw from the Old Bailey, the Inns of Court, and Kings College London's Dickson Poon School of Law. Entry is free and inexpensive two-hour guided tours are available. You may briefly watch a High Court Case from the public gallery, view exhibits on historical legal costumes throughout history, famous works of art, learn about of the Courts most famous cases, and see firsthand the original court documents from the Guy Fawkes trials.

4. Palace of Westminster

The Palace of Westminster should top the site-seeing list for anyone lucky enough to make a visit to London. While this place likely needs no introduction, Westminster is the UK's current parliament building and was formerly used as a private Royal residence. Rebuilt after the great fire of 1834, the palace holds both the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The House of Commons, like in Canada, is where elected Members of Parliament meet to discuss and implement laws and legislation. The House of Lords acts much like our Canadian Senate with appointed membership. You can have a guided tour of the Palace and visit the Lords Chamber, Princes Chamber, Commons Chamber, Westminster Hall, St. Stephens Hall, the Royal Gallery, the Queens Robing Room, and more. They offer a student price for guided tours, and it's well worth each penny. For an additional fee, you can also enjoy a high tea in the Terrace Pavilion.

5. The Supreme Court

Not every legal hotspot in London is historical. You might be surprised to know that Canadas Supreme Court outdates the one in England by a whopping 134 years. However, that doesn't mean that the UK's Supreme Court, created in 2009, isn't a must see for students. The Supreme Court is the highest court for legal matters in the country and took over the judicial functions of the historic House of Lords housed in the Palace of Westminster. The Supreme Court can be found just around the corner from Westminster in the 1906 Grade II listed historic Middlesex Guidehall. With a caf, gift shop, and permanent exhibits, you can join one of the Courts hour long guided tours (special price for students available), opt to do a self-guided tour, or get in on the legal action by observing real cases while the court is sitting.

Travel opportunities are just one of the many perks to studying law with one of our preferred law schools. Studying in the UK isn't just all about the degree; it's also about living the international experience. Canada Law from Abroad encourages you to craft your law education inside and outside of the classroom in ways you simply can't by studying at home.

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What You Need to Know About the Accreditation Process in Canada

Written by Canada Law From Abroad - 24/04/2026

Understandably, one of the questions we most often get asked by prospective Canadian Law students is "what is the process like coming back to Canada to get licensed as a lawyer?" This question tends to be one of the deciding factors in your decision to study law abroad.

Truth be told, the accreditation process is not as scary as it might sound. In this blog, we discuss how the accreditation process works and what your options are after completing your UK degrees, and returning to Canada.

You've Graduated Law School in the UK - Now What?

The accreditation process in Canada is regulated by the Federation of Law Societies of Canada. The National Committee on Accreditation (or NCA, for short) is a standing committee for the Federation of Law Societies of Canada, and it is through the NCA that you will have to apply for an assessment report of your law-related credentials. You can apply to the NCA at any time but your file will not be assessed until the NCA receives your final law school transcripts.

The application process involves an application fee ($400 CAD plus taxes), a resume, pre-law school transcripts, final law school transcript, English language screen (now required for all applicants), and a completed application form. We suggest applying to the NCA after you finish your final law school exams. Then, once you receive your final transcript after graduation, have your UK University send your transcript to the NCA directly.

It takes approximately 4-6 weeks for the NCA to assess your file and respond to you with a report detailing the requirements you must meet in order to obtain a Certificate of Qualification. Do note that as each assessment is made individually, this time frame can be longer depending on the assessment.

NCA Challenge Exams

After The NCA assesses your file, they will inform you of any additional items you need to complete in order to receive your Certificate of Qualification and qualify for law society bar admission.

If you studied the 2-year accelerated LLB Degree in the UK (sometimes called 'Senior Status' or 'Graduate Entry' depending on the university), you'll most likely be required to complete 7 challenge exams in order to obtain a Certificate of Qualification.

If you completed a 3-year LLB you will be required to write between 5 to 7 exams. Note: The number of exams assigned are determined on an individual basis.

Here is a list of the core exams:

Foundations of Canadian law
Canadian Constitutional law
Canadian Administrative law
Canadian Professional Responsibility
Canadian Criminal law

Other Requirements:

Those who have their qualifications assessed after January 1, 2022 will also need to complete a course in legal research and writing module. In addition, students must also show competencies in Indigenous Law and Peoples.

Choosing the right UK University

Currently, our preferred partner universities have been accepted by the NCA (providing the student meets their assessment criteria), but it is up to the student to keep track of any changes that may occur within the programme/university during their studies that may impact NCA assessment. Students are encouraged to remain updated on the NCA's policies to ensure they are aware of any changes during their studies abroad.

If you have any questions or concerns about the NCA requirements as they relate to your selected UK degree, it's recommended that you reach out to the NCA directly so that they can provide you with the appropriate feedback.

Canada Law From Abroad is not affiliated with the NCA and this information is given as a supplement to the official information found on the NCA website based on our understanding at the time of distribution. Before applying to any professional program that leads to a regulated career in Canada please be sure you have thoroughly reviewed the requirements for registering as an international educated professional in your field before proceeding with your degree overseas. Ultimately it is your responsibility to ensure the degree you complete in the UK will meet the accreditation requirements in the country and province in which you wish to work.

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