About
Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto, Canada is one of the country's oldest and most distinguished law schools. Established in 1889, it's part of York University and boasts a vibrant community of over 1,000 students.
Osgoode is deeply committed to advancing positive change and social justice through legal scholarship and practice. The school offers a range of programs, including a renowned Juris Doctor (JD) degree, and is known for its strong emphasis on experiential learning and impactful research. Osgoode's mission centers around fostering a diverse and inclusive environment where students can develop the skills and knowledge to become leaders in the legal profession and contribute to a more just society.
Consult Osgoode Hall Law School on QS World Rankings to learn more about their current world ranking and academic reputation in different subject areas.
Location
York University has 3 main campuses – Keele Campus, Glendon Campus, and Markham Campus, all located near the city of Toronto and a short train ride away from downtown Toronto. Osgoode Hall Law School is located on the Keele Campus. Please consult this university map of York’s Keele Campus to learn more.
Students can enjoy the comfortable cafes and social spaces of York’s lively campus or their relaxing spots to study and research. The campus is located closely to Toronto, which is Canada’s largest city and dynamic business hub. Toronto has one of the top rankings for quality of life in addition to having one of the world’s most multicultural communities. Students would have the opportunity to watch professional sports matches, attend fun concerts, explore museums and galleries, and have fun at the abundance of restaurants and nightlife, in addition to the classic Toronto sights such as the Lake Ontario waterfront and Toronto Island.
Toronto is also within comfortable flying distance of many major US east coast cities, with New York, Boston, and Chicago all less than a two-hour flight away. Other North American cities, such as Miami, Montreal, and Washington D.C. are only about a two- to four-hour flight away.
Level of competitiveness
This exchange is only open to students in the School of Law.
- School of Law: Less competitive *
The level of competitiveness (Less competitive * / Competitive ** / Very competitive ***) refers to one's chances of being allocated an exchange space at this partner. This is an approximation determined by the number of applications received for this destination during the last academic year versus the total number of exchange spaces available to Queen Mary students.
Language of Instruction
All courses are taught and examined in English.
Academic Calendar
- Orientation (mandatory): Events take place during the first week of Fall term (late August)
- Fall Term: Late August to Late November, exam session from early to mid December
- Winter Term: Early January to Early April, exam session from early to mid April
More information on important dates can be found on Osgoode’s academic calendar.
Courses
Osgoode offers a wide array of courses that cater to diverse interests within the legal field. Students can delve into traditional areas like constitutional law, criminal law, and property law, while also exploring cutting-edge subjects such as intellectual property, environmental law, and technology law. The school provides opportunities for specialization in fields like business law, international law, and public interest law.
Osgoode also provides extensive support for internationally trained lawyers through OsgoodePD, which boasts Canada's largest selection of courses designed for accreditation and navigating the Canadian legal system. These include a range of non-credit courses focusing on specific topics in Canadian law.
More information can be found in the course guideline, and this webpage includes further information about courses available specifically to exchange students.
Credits
Students must enrol on a full courseload equivalent to 60 Queen Mary credits for the semester/120 for a full academic year. At Osgoode, this is equivalent to between 13 and 17 credits per term (usually equates to 4 courses per term).
Find out more about Queen Mary's credit transfer and grade conversion process.
Visit the Life at Osgoode page, containing plenty of useful information and details about pre-arrival, student life, campus life, etc.
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Accommodation
On-campus housing may be available to students who apply by the deadlines. Please note that demand is very high and there is no guarantee of obtaining on campus housing. Exchange students studying at Osgoode typically apply for the Graduate residences, York Apartments (Assiniboine or Passy Crescent). The Osgoode resident complex is also an option, located right opposite the law school. These are furnished one-bedrooms that are self-contained and have a kitchen. Most of the on-campus housing options are also very close to the on-campus subway station, providing convenient access to downtown Toronto.
Learn more about living on campus at Osgoode.
Cost of living
You can find general, up-to-date information about the cost of living at Osgoode here. You can find more general, up-to-date information about the cost of living in the greater Toronto area here.
Exchange students studying in Canada are required to purchase the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP).
Students should be mindful of the rising cost of living in Toronto, greater on average now than living in London. Living expenses can vary depending on individual lifestyle, especially depending on the type of accomodation, frequency of travel, and more. Please consult the estimated minimum and maximum cost of living figures for this destination country available in our “Estimated Costs of Living” document available on our Finance page.
Support services
Student wellness and success is a priority for Osgoode, supported by a variety of wellness workshops, yoga sessions and other activities offered. Information on accessibility can be found on Osgoode’s page for services and accommodations. Learn more also about support services and on-campus resources such as their Counselling Center.
Find out more about visas and health insurance requirements.
Activities and Societies
Osgoode encourages students to engage in a vibrant extracurricular life. The Legal and Literary Society (Legal & Lit) plays a central role, coordinating and funding over 50 student clubs and organisations. These range from academic and professional groups like the Osgoode Environmental Law Society and the Osgoode Society for Corporate Governance, to social and interest-based clubs like the Osgoode OUTlaws and the Osgoode Student Animal Legal Defense Fund.
Beyond clubs, students can participate in moot court competitions to hone their advocacy skills. Budding journalists can contribute to Osgoode's student newspaper, keeping the community informed and engaged. The Mock Trial, an annual musical revue, is a beloved tradition showcasing students' creative talents. Legal & Lit also organises numerous social gatherings throughout the year, fostering camaraderie and a strong sense of community. You can even get involved in Osgoode's student government. These extracurriculars provide opportunities for students to explore their passions, develop valuable skills, and build lasting connections with their peers.
