Master of Laws (LLM) Concentration in International Trade and Foreign Investment

The public international law governing international trade and investment is central to the workings of our interdependent economies. Almost all countries have trade and investment relationships with their neighbours, or within wider groupings. Regional trade agreements and bilateral investment agreements number in the thousands, and the World Trade Organisation (WTO) has attained a pre-eminence few international organisations can claim. Yet, international trade and investment law has an impact well beyond the purely economic” sphere and is a key component of the resolution of global issues. For instance, problems related to climate change cannot be resolved satisfactorily without reference to trade and investment disciplines. Even the task of dealing with global health issues has required at times an incursion into trade and investment law.

The LL.M. with concentration in International Trade and Foreign Investment Law provides students with the public international law foundations underpinning international economic governance and enables them to study and work on these critical issues, with the comparative advantage of being situated in Canadas capital. Students benefit from the close proximity of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal, private law firms with trade and investment practises and NGOs interested in global issues, and the relationships that many of our faculty members have with such organisations.

This program relies on the knowledge and expertise of over ten faculty members who teach and conduct research in the fields of international trade and investment law. The program was designed with a view to meet the specific needs of LL.M. students in these expanding fields: fundamental knowledge, strong research skills, systemic and critical thinking, and case-studies.

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:

• 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.

Language of Instruction

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

Financial Support

Internal Scholarships

The Office of the Vice-Provost, Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies in conjunction with the Faculty of Law provides a number of admission scholarships per year to LLM and PhD students. Please note that students do not need to apply for these scholarships. Recommendations are made to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies by the admissions committee in law.

Several other scholarships are available to LLM and PhD students thanks to generous donors. These scholarships require a separate application. Further details are available through the graduate studies in Law website.

External Scholarships

For a comprehensive list of scholarships and awards offered by outside agencies, and details regarding application, please visit the Scholarships and financial support website or go directly to:

Awards Office
Office of the Vice-Provost, Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
University of Ottawa
115 Séraphin Marion, Room 107
Ottawa ON K1N 6N5

Applicants are encouraged to seek scholarships and financial assistance from other sources in Canada and, abroad if applicable.

• Apply online through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC), by completing form 105.
• Declare all your current and previous postsecondary studies, completed or not, even if they are not related to your application. Failure to do so may lead to the cancellation of your application or the withdrawal of your offer of admission at any time.
• Enter your email address, making sure it is accurate. We will use this address to communicate with you for all matters. Also, check your inbox (and junk mail folder) regularly for messages from the University of Ottawa.
• Pay the application fees for all your admission applications. Applications are forwarded to the University of Ottawa only after fees are paid in full and the payment has cleared. Learn more about application fees.
• Note that OUAC is not part of the University of Ottawa. It handles applications to all Ontario universities and is responsible for transferring your application to our admission office.