Admissions
Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Decolonization
The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion and decolonization in all aspects of graduate and postdoctoral studies. For more information regarding these commitments please visit grad.uwo.ca/edi-d.
Law, Studies in
Master of Studies in Law (MSL)Program Websites
Program Contact
Susuana Kwaning (lawgrad@uwo.ca)Graduate Program Assistant
Faculty of Law
Western UniversityLaw Building Rm 239
London, Ontario N6A 3K7
t. 519-661-2111 ext. 88422
f. 519-850-2412
Western Law offers the Master of Studies in Law (MSL) for professionals or academics in other disciplines who do not have a degree in Law but who feel that an understanding of law would enhance their current research or profession.
The MSL does not prepare one for the practice of law, and is not an entryway into the legal profession. Instead, it is intended to provide an academic footing for those whose prior research interests or professional interests touch upon legal matters.
Program Length
- 3 Terms (Full-time study)
- 6 Terms (Part-time study)
Program Design
- Full-time study or part-time study
- Project-based or thesis-based
Funding Information
Applicants are encouraged to apply for the following scholarships (if eligible):
Tuition and Fees
Tuition and fee schedules (per term) are posted on the Office of the Registrar's website at http://www.registrar.uwo.ca/student_finances/fees_refunds/fee_schedules.html
Graduate Student Affordability Calculator
Use this helpful tool to estimate how much money you will need to pay for your tuition, fees, housing, food, and other necessities for a 12-month (three term) academic year.
Admission Requirements
- Four-year Bachelor's or higher degree with a minimum average of B (74%) in the last two years of full-time study.
Additional Requirements
- A sample of academic writing, such as a research paper, thesis or a published journal article. The subject matter of the academic writing sample may be the applicant's choice.
English Language Proficiency
Graduate Record Examination Scores (GRE)
- Institution Code for Western: 0984
The Graduate Record Examination is required for all applicants to the MSL program. Applicants who present evidence that their previous professional programs or graduate programs have required the GRE, GMAT, MCAT, LSAT or other, similar, standardized tests will normally have the requirement for the GRE waived.
Applicants whose first language is not English must furnish evidence of their proficiency in the use of the English language:- The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The minimum acceptable score for the Faculty of Law for applicants to all graduate programs is 109 for the internet-based version, with a minimum score of 25 for writing and speaking skills, or 630 (paper-based).
- The International English Language Testing Service (IELTS Academic). The minimum acceptable score for the Faculty of Law is 8.0 out of 9.
Application Deadline
- January 15 - Acceptance notifications begin in January and continue until the middle of the summer