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Undergraduate Degrees For Law School
An undergraduate degree is what you apply to from high school. Most law schools require at least three years of university studies before you can apply for admission.
How do you choose a pre-law degree?
Selecting a pre-law program or degree often comes down to choosing an undergraduate degree that you’ll enjoy. Studying a subject that excites you will help you do well academically.
You can pick nearly any major. You’ll need to complete at least three years of undergraduate studies, although many law schools prefer that you complete your undergraduate degree (four years) before applying.
Most of Waterloo’s programs can be excellent preparation for law school. There are some programs that are especially popular because of the communications and analytical skills they provide as background to becoming a successful lawyer.
Legal Studies
Waterloo’s Legal Studies degree provides an interdisciplinary understanding of law and the legal system. The program can be a great pathway to law school – and you’ll gain important skills for careers in law, policy development, and research by taking classes in a variety of related areas.
Other common pre-law majors
- Political Science: learn about government, policy
- Sociology: explore criminology and victimology
- Philosophy: logic is key to law and making arguments
- English: learn about rhetoric and how it can help you argue a case
- Communication Studies: improve your public speaking, interviewing, speech writing
New: Double degree program in human rights and law
Pursue a career in human rights by earning a Bachelor of Arts (including a minor in Human Rights) from Waterloo and a Bachelor of Law (LLB) in Human Rights Law from the UK’s University of Essex – all in five years. Learn about our double degree program in human rights and law.
How do you become a lawyer?
- Review the admission requirements for Ontario’s law schools so that you know what’s expected.
- Do well academically in least three years of a pre-law program at university. Completing your four-year degree can strengthen your application.
- Study for and write the LSAT (Law School Admission Test).
- Apply to law school.
- There are 20 law schools in Canada. The Law School Admission Council offers tips on choosing the law school that’s right for you.
- Successfully earn your law degree (usually three years).
- Complete the licensing process (which can vary by province or country). In Ontario, you need to
- pass two licensing examinations,
- gain hands-on experiential training,
- be of good character, and
- submit the necessary fees and forms.
- You would then be called to the bar (attend a ceremony where you receive your degree and swear or affirm an oath to practise law).
Waterloo can help you get there
LSAT prep and interview advice
Advisors in our Centre for Career Action can help you research law schools and the application process. Get one-on-one advice and tips for the LSAT along with how to do well in law school admissions interviews.
Meet law school representatives
Meet with representatives from professional and graduate programs at 90 universities in North America, Europe, and Australia when they visit Waterloo’s campus for our annual further education information fair.
Meet other future lawyers
The Legal Studies Society is a student-run group that organizes law school information sessions, holds mock LSAT tests, and brings in guest speakers such as judges and lawyers to offer career insights.
Law School Admission Council
Learn about law schools in Canada, including an overview of the admissions process.
law courses at university
Law courses
A law degree combines the academic study of legal theory with applying law to real life scenarios. You’ll learn about criminal law, public law and company law as well as legal issues relating to topics such as property, the environment and human rights. The course equips you with the core knowledge and skills needed to go on to study to become a solicitor or barrister but is equally useful for any career where thinking logically and communicating clearly are important. Search for all courses
At a glance:
- EXAMS
- VOCATIONAL
- PRACTICAL PLACEMENTS
- LOTS OF READING
- COMMUNICATION SKILLS
- PROBLEM-BASED LEARNING
- THEORETICAL AND CONCEPTUAL
- LLB
- INDEPENDENT STUDY
Studying law at university
Example course modules
- Legal systems and method
- Criminal Law
- Race, media and crime
- Law of torts
- EU Law
- Contract Law
- Introduction to jurisprudence
- Medical Law and ethics
- Criminal justice
- Tax law
Teaching hours / week
AVERAGE FOR THIS SUBJECT9LOW12HOURS16HIGH14HOURS
AVERAGE FOR ALL SUBJECTS
The time you’ll spend in lectures and seminars each week will vary from university to university, so use this as a guide.
More on studying and contact hours at uni
Who studies this subject
- Female : 65%Male : 35%
- Mature : 25%School leaver : 75%
- Full-time : 85%Part-time : 15%
League tables for this subject
The GuardianThe Complete University GuideThe Times
What you need to get on a course
Subjects you need
A-levels (or equivalent) usually required
- No Specific Requirements
Useful to have
- history
- English
Application checklist
Here’s a guide to what to expect from the application process – also check individual university entry requirements, as these may differ.
- January application
- October application
- Personal statement
- Portfolio
- Interview
- Entry test
- Work experience
- Audition
Personal statement advice
Your personal statement is a core part of your university application, and getting it just right takes time. Before you start work on yours, take a look at our five quick tips on writing a personal statement. We’ll help you past that writer’s block!More advice on A-level requirementsMore advice on applying to uniPersonal statement tips and advice
Career prospects
Law graduates tend to go into the legal industry, and they usually take similar routes. Jobs are competitive – often very competitive – but starting salaries are good and high fliers can earn serious money. Be aware though – some careers, especially as barristers, can take a while to get into. If you want to qualify to practice law, you need to take a professional qualification and many law graduates then go on to law school. If you want to go into work, then a lot of law graduates take trainee or paralegal roles and some do leave the law altogether, often for jobs in management, finance and the police force. A small proportion – about one in 17 last year– of law graduates also move into another field for further study. Psychology, business and social studies are all popular for these career changers, so if you do take a law degree and decide it’s not for you, there are options. Professional and accrediting bodies
Six months after graduating
- Legal associate professionals
Average graduate salary
We don’t have the average graduate salary for this subject yet.% of graduates in work or further study
Data Missing
Longer term career paths
Jobs where this degree is useful
- Paralegal
- Solicitor
- Barrister
Other real-life job examples
- Chartered accountant
- Conveyancer
- Patent attorney
What employers like about this subject
A very popular degree, law provides students with a range of useful skills. Specialist subject skills include knowledge of the legal system under study; how to apply, assess and critique law; how to interview and how to use legal databases and legal theories. Law students also develop a range of sought-after transferable skills including effective communication, teamwork and research skills and the ability to think critically. Graduates are in demand, not just in the law industry itself, but from employers in accountancy, recruitment, government bodies, hospitals, insurance, banking and universities.