CA · Master's
McGill University (Faculty of Law)
LLM (Master of Laws)
McGill University (Faculty of Law)
Course Overview
McGill's LLM is a one-year research-focused degree run out of the Faculty of Law on Peel Street — a faculty known globally for its trans-systemic legal teaching, which trains students simultaneously in the common law and civil law traditions. Sri Lankan lawyers find this combination unusually relevant because Sri Lanka itself is a mixed-law jurisdiction (Roman-Dutch, English common law, and customary law).
Specialisations include Air & Space Law (McGill's flagship niche, run through the Institute of Air and Space Law), Bioethics, Comparative Law, and Environmental Law. The program is heavy on supervised research and culminates in a 50,000–100,000-word thesis. Cohort size is small (around 30–40 students), so direct faculty supervision is the norm.
Entry Requirements
Academic
- check_circle LLB or equivalent first law degree (Sri Lanka Law College, Open University LLB, or international LLB) with strong second-class upper or first-class honours.
- check_circle Two academic references — at least one from a law faculty member familiar with your research capacity.
- check_circle A 2–3 page research proposal aligned with a McGill law faculty member who has agreed (or is open) to supervise.
- check_circle CV and personal statement; professional legal experience is helpful but not required.
English Proficiency
- check_circle IELTS Academic: 6.5 Overall (no band below 6.0).
- check_circle TOEFL iBT: 86 Overall (min 20 in each section).
- check_circle IELTS must be taken by December 15 for the Fall 2026 intake.
Estimated Cost of Study
| Expense Category | Amount (CAD) | Approx. LKR |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fee (12 months) | CAD 31,268 | Rs. 7,348,000 |
| Living Expenses (12 months, Montreal) | CAD 18,000 | Rs. 4,230,000 |
| Health Insurance (RAMQ exempt — private) | CAD 1,200 | Rs. 282,000 |
| Study Permit & Biometrics | CAD 235 | Rs. 55,200 |
| Total Programme Investment | CAD 50,703 | Rs. 11,915,200 |
*LKR conversion based on current bank rates. Subject to change.
Career Outcomes & PR
McGill LLM graduates are eligible for a 1-year PGWP (Post-Graduation Work Permit). Common paths: NCA accreditation to qualify as a Canadian lawyer, international firm practice (Norton Rose Fulbright, Fasken, McCarthy Tétrault have hired McGill grads in Montreal), academia (PhD pipeline at McGill, Toronto, Oxford), or returning to Sri Lanka with a globally-recognised credential to strengthen private practice or in-house counsel applications.
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