Admissions requirements
Using 'PASS' marks in GPA Calculations
Credit units earned in courses in which applicants receive marks of 'Pass' (or equivalent such as 'credit earned') will count for the purpose of achieving the minimum number of credit units to apply to the College of Law or to constitute a year of full-time study.
Since the Admissions Committee uses weighted averages, marks such as ‘Pass’ (or equivalent such as ‘credit earned’) will not affect applicants’ averages for admissions purposes.
- Two full years of undergraduate study at a recognized university or the equivalent of such work (60 credit units). Note: there is no recommended pre-law program.
- Law School Admissions Test (LSAT)
- Personal statement (500 word maximum).
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score (ESL applicants only)
Categories of applicants
Apply as a regular applicant if you meet the entrance requirements and do not meet criteria for discretionary or Indigenous applicants.
Reference letters for regular applicants are not required.
In selecting applicants for the first-year class, the College of Law considers it important for the student body to reflect a variety of backgrounds and experiences.
The College of Law recognizes exclusive reliance on the standard criteria for admission would unfairly prejudice the prospects of applicants whose academic record, for reasons beyond their control, does not reflect their abilty to successfully pursue the study of law. Accordingly, discretionary consideration will be given to applicants with educational disadvantages. Examples of such disadvantages include:
- First language other than English
- Barriers resulting from ethnic or racial background
- Employment or domestic obligations preventing earlier application
- Disability or other condition that hinders access to, or effective use of, educational opportunities
- Significant interruption of post-secondary education
Consideration for admission of applicants in discretionary category
Applicants in the Discretionary category will be admitted based on the Admission Committee's assessment of their ability to cope successfully with the requirements of the Juris Doctor (JD) degree program. Significant weight will usually be given to LSAT scores in the Discretionary category. There is no formal quota for applicants in the discretionary category, but the number of accepted applicants in this Discretionary category is necessarily limited.
Additional documentation
Applicants seeking discretionary consideration must complete all steps in the regular application procedure and provide additional documentation that includes:
- a statement identifying and explaining the nature of their educational disadvantage or interruption of studies (500-word limit)
- any relevant supporting documentation, such as medical reports
- details of any relevant occupational experience or community involvement
- two supporting letters of reference from people (non-family members) who can comment on the applicant's aptitude and potential for law studies. These reference letters must come directly from the individual supplying the reference through your online account.
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score (ESL applicants only)
Deadline to submit supporting documentation in the Discretionary category is March 1, 2023.
The Admissions Committee for the Juris Doctor (JD) degree program may consider Indigenous ancestry (First Nation, Métis or Inuit) as a positive factor when assessing applicants for admission, pursuant to an exemption granted by the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission and as a 'reasonable and justifiable measure' under section 48 of The Saskatchewan Human Rights Code. As a result, we have established a category for Indigenous applicants.
Applicants of Indigenous ancestry should apply in the Indigenous category, not the Discretionary category. There is no quota for Indigenous applicants. In 2022, 26 applicants received offers in the Indigenous category and 11 registered in first-year law at the college.
Additional documentation required
Applicants must complete all steps in the regular application procedure and provide additional documentation including:
- two supporting letters of reference from persons unrelated to the applicant who could comment on the applicant's aptitude and potential for law studies. These reference letters must come directly from the individual supplying the reference through your online account.
- documentation of Indigenous ancestry
Deadline to submit supporting documentation in the Indigenous category is March 1, 2023.
Steps to apply
All applicants are required to take the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). The LSAT is designed to measure certain mental abilities important in the study of law and accordingly, to aid law schools in assessing the academic promise of applicants.
The Admissions Committee considers your highest LSAT score over the past five years. For example, LSAT scores prior to June 2018 will not be accepted for applicants applying for September 2023 entry. The January sitting of the LSAT is the last available date for admission in September, but applicants are strongly encouraged to write the test earlier.
The writing sample is administered separately from the standard test date and is considered a part of your complete LSAT report. Candidates must have a complete writing sample in their file in order to see their score or have their score released to schools.
More information on the LSAT including registration, fees, testing dates, and testing centre locations can be found on the Law School Admission Council's website.
Online applications will open on Nov. 1, 2022 for September 2023 entry. The application deadline is Feb. 1, 2023.
Supporting documentation can be submitted beginning Nov. 1, 2022. Please note that personal statements can be uploaded to your Supplemental Item List after submission of your application.
When completing an application, applicants who are unsure whether their situation should be disclosed as “disciplinary action” or not, they should err on the side of disclosing this on the application and providing an explanation.
Deadline to submit supporting documentation in the Indigenous and Discretionary categories is March 1, 2023.
It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that his or her file is complete. You can do this by logging into the application form with the case sensitive username and password you have created.
Pay the application fee of $125 CAD online by credit card. Your application will not be processed until this fee is received.
Students who have completed all of their university studies at the University of Saskatchewan do not need to submit transcripts. Transcripts must be submitted for any part of an applicant’s studies taken elsewhere.
Final transcripts from each post-secondary institution you have attended or are currently attending (other than the University of Saskatchewan), must be sent directly from the issuing institution to the College of Law at law.admissions@usask.ca. If you are presently enrolled in classes, please arrange to have the institution you are currently attending submit your December marks. After all courses have been completed, please arrange to have your institution email a final transcript (containing April marks) by no later than June 1.
The deadline for submission of final transcripts is June 1 of the year you will be starting first-year law.
Estimated tuition and costs
| Canadian students | International students | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $16,278 | $58,601 |
| Fees | $1,050.29 | $1,050.29 |
| Tuition and fees | $17,329 | $59,651 |
| Books and other fees (approx.) | $2,500 | $2,500 |
Housing is not included in your fees. On campus residence options are available.
Admissions decisions
Admission to the College of Law is at the discretion of the Admissions Committee. In exercising its discretion, the committee considers factors including the applicant’s academic background and LSAT score. The committee gives a slight preference to applicants with a Saskatchewan connection or residents of the Yukon, Northwest and Nunavut Territories, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador (these being provinces or territories with no law college).
The Admissions Committee looks at your best two (2) full years undergraduate average. The best two years do not have to be consecutive, but you do need at least 24 credits in each of these years during the Fall and Winter sessions. They do not look at Spring or Summer classes in calculating your best two-year average. Your best two-year average and the LSAT score are considered in assessing your application. If you do not have full years of study between September and April, a cumulative average is used.
For applicants with a Saskatchewan connection, indicate on your application if your siblings are currently attending the University of Saskatchewan, or if your parents, siblings or grandparents have attended the University of Saskatchewan College of Law. Indicate if you are a former resident of Saskatchewan, and if you attended elementary and/or high school in Saskatchewan. If you consider that you have another type of connection with Saskatchewan, for example, a spouse currently attending the University of Saskatchewan, indicate this on the application form. If there is insufficient space on the application form, provide further details in your personal statement.
Part-time studies
Applicants are generally expected to study law on a full-time basis. However, part-time status may be granted on a discretionary basis in certain circumstances. Applications for part-time status are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
The part-time program is available to assist applicants who have family commitments, disabilities, health needs, occupational obligations or financial needs which prevent full-time study. It is also available to applicants who have not been in an academic institution for a significant number of years. The program is not intended for those who want to test their interest in law or who would prefer a light course load. Part-time students are required to attend classes at regularly scheduled times, and therefore must be available to attend classes during the day time. Part-time students are required to carry out half of the work load each year.
Applicants who wish to be admitted on a part-time basis must submit a written statement giving reasons why they are unable to pursue full-time studies. Those admitted as part-time students must complete the first year of the three-year Juris Doctor degree before they can change their status to full-time.
If you are a prospective student interested in applying to the part-time program, please contact:
Admissions Officer
law.admissions@usask.ca
306-966-5892
Transfers
First-year law students wishing to transfer from common law JD programs at other Canadian universities to the College of Law, University of Saskatchewan, must satisfy certain academic requirements. Official transcripts of pre-law and law school marks must be submitted to this College directly from the issuing institutions. A completed online application form and a $125.00 non-refundable application fee must also be submitted. All transfer students must have a current LSAT score.
Approval of all transfers to the College of Law, University of Saskatchewan will depend on the quality of legal studies previously demonstrated and the number of spaces available. Preference normally will be given to Saskatchewan residents. The deadline for receipt of requests to transfer is February 1 and required documentation must be completed by June 30.
Students wishing to transfer to the College of Law at the University of Saskatchewan should contact:
Admissions Officer
law.admissions@usask.ca
306-966-5892
Students wishing to complete one year or one term at the University of Saskatchewan's College of Law for credit towards a degree from another Canadian law school may apply as "Letter of Permission" (Visiting Student) students. The Dean or Associate Dean of that law school must provide us with a letter granting permission to complete your requirements at USask College of Law.
Official transcripts of pre-law and law school marks must be submitted to our college directly from the issuing institutions. A completed application form, a $125.00 non-refundable application fee and a copy of the LSAT score are also required.
For more information, contact:
Admissions Officer
law.admissions@usask.ca
306-966-5892
Individuals with law degrees from non-Canadian law schools who are interested in becoming members of a law society in Canada must have their credentials assessed by the National Committee on Accreditation. The University of Saskatchewan College of Law does not offer courses to students who are seeking to meet the requirements of the National Committee on Accreditation.
For more information on having your credentials assessed, please contact:
Federation of Law Societies of Canada
613-236-7272
info@flsc.ca
Questions? Contact us
Admissions Officer
law.admissions@usask.ca
306-966-5892