Master of Laws (LLM) Specialization in Feminist and Gender Studies

Reflecting Canadas bilingual and trijuridical legal system (civil law, common law, aboriginal law), as well as its location in Canadas Capital, the Faculty of Law offers graduate programs leading to a masters 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 academic 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 huit 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 Feminist and Gender Studies at the master's level (LLM with Specialization in Feminist and Gender Studies). For more information on this program, see Admission Requirements”.

The collaborative program in Feminist and Gender Studies at the master's level is designed for students from selected disciplines in arts, education, health sciences, law, social sciences, and counselling and spirituality (Saint Paul University), who have an interest in feminist and gender studies. These students have the opportunity to combine advanced studies in their primary program with analyses from a feminist and gender studies perspective. The degree awarded is a master's degree in the primary program with a .

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.

Collaborative Program

The Faculty of Law is a participating unit in the collaborative master's program in Feminist and Gender Studies. This program has been established for students wishing to enrich their training in Law by including an interdisciplinary component in feminist and gender studies.

To be accepted in the collaborative program in Feminist and Gender Studies at the master's level, applicants must first be accepted to the master's program in a participating program. Successful applicants will normally hold an honours degree or the equivalent and have a minimum average of 70 per cent (B). They must also have a background in feminist and gender studies, that is, a minimum of two undergraduate level courses or one graduate level course on women, gender, feminism or sexualities. Students who do not have an adequate background may be eligible to our Special Policy for Admissions.

Applications for admission to the collaborative program in feminist and gender studies at the master's level are submitted at the same time as the application for admission to the master's program of the relevant discipline. Only one application for admission is required for the collaborative master’s program. In exceptional cases, students could commence their specialization in feminist and gender studies in their second session of their primary program.

The letter of intention submitted with the application should include a clear account of the “feminist and gender studies” dimension in the proposed topic of research.

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.