Master of Laws (LLM) and Concentration International Humanitarian and Security Law

Please note that admission to the Master of Laws (LLM) and Concentration International Humanitarian and Security Law is suspended until further notice.

Reflecting Canada’s bilingual and trijuridical legal system (civil law, common law, aboriginal law), as well as its location in Canada’s Capital, the Faculty of Law offers graduate programs leading to a master’s degree and a doctoral degree in Law.

The graduate studies in law are a joint endeavour of the Common Law and Civil Law Sections. We welcome law graduates from both legal systems and from countries around the world. Courses are offered in English or in French, and occasionally in both languages. Students may readily complete their graduate studies while learning something of Canada's other legal and linguistic traditions.

The programs are offered in English and in French, and sometimes in a combination of both. In accordance with University of Ottawa Policy, examinations, assignments and the research paper or thesis may be written in either English or French. The programs are governed by the general regulations in effect for graduate studies.

Master's Program

For the Master of Laws degree (LLM), we offer both a thesis option and a research paper option. While students can pursue these options in any subject, we particularly emphasize the following two fields as well as the fields associated with our six concentrations described below:

• International law; and
• Human rights law.

In the context of the master's with research paper, students have a choice of eight concentrations:

• Global Sustainability and Environmental Law;
• Health Law, Policy and Ethics
• International Humanitarian and Security Law;
• International Trade and Investment Law;
• Law and Social Justice;
• Law and Technology;
• Legislative Studies; and
• Notarial Law.

LLM students can also participate in a collaborative program in Women's Studies at the master's level (LLM with Specialization in Women's Studies).

International Reciprocity Agreements

Are you interested in obtaining two LLM degrees and studying abroad? The Faculty of Law at the University of Ottawa has international reciprocity agreements with:

• Université Jean Moulin Lyon 3
• l'Université Paris Ouest Nanterre La défense;
• l'Université Paul-Cézanne (Aix-Marseille University);and
• l'Université de Rennes 1.

For the most accurate and up to date information on application deadlines, language tests and other admission requirements, please visit the specific requirements webpage.

To be considered for admission to the master of laws (LLM) program, applicants must have an undergraduate law degree from a Canadian university or an equivalent foreign law degree or, exceptionally, a degree deemed equivalent by the program's Admissions Committee. Candidates must have completed their undergraduate law degree with an average of at least 70% (B), calculated in accordance with graduate studies guidelines. Particular attention is paid to relevant legal experience, prior research and letters of reference. Please review the graduate studies in Law website.

Courses are offered in English or in French, and occasionally in both languages.