
Course at a Glance
- PhDDegree level
- 3 to 4 years - "The program normally takes 3 to 4…Duration
- Kingston, CanadaLocation
- LawField of study
- EnglishLanguage of instruction
- KingstonCampus
- Doctor of PhilosophyAwards
- $5,888Fees
- AvailableScholarship
About this programme
Overview Faculty Programs Courses Programs The graduate law program at Queen’s University offers to students from Canada and from countries around the world an intellectually rich and challenging environment for legal learning and scholarship. Queen’s offers two graduate degrees in law: the Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree, a one-year program with thesis and course-based options; the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree, a four-year program of advanced legal research.
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Queen’s also offers the following graduate diploma in law: the Graduate Diploma in Immigration and Citizenship Law (GDipICL) The graduate law program at Queen’s is a small, academically oriented program with a global emphasis. Financial Assistance Students accepted into the Ph.D. and LL.M. programs are eligible for scholarships and fellowships administered by Queen's University. All candidates for graduate work at Queen's may compete for these awards. The Faculty of Law may also be able to provide awards. The GDLSM and GDiplCL programs are not eligible for government funded student loans. Queen's Law has partnered with RBC to offer a student line of credit tailored to your needs, for both full-time and part-time studies. The line of credit is available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada only. Acceptance to the program does not guarantee or imply qualification for financing. Departmental Facilities Queen’s University Library’s research collections include millions of print and digital items supported by a strong technology infrastructure and a focus on scholarly communications. Library facilities are heavily used campus hubs with a mix of inviting, accessible learning spaces, computers and collections. Queen’s University Library is a member of the Association of Research Libraries and the Ca ...
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What we look at
- Your subject background and grades
- Your English score, or how to get one
- Budget, including living costs
University & programme
- Listed from the catalogueNot yet staff-verified — ask us to confirm the details.
- English requirementIELTS Overall 7.0
- Study modeFull Time
Admissions checklist
Entry requirements
Calendar entry for this degree: The Queen's Ph.D. in Law involves advanced legal research leading to the completion and oral defence of a doctoral dissertation. The program normally takes three to four years to complete. Each student works closely with a faculty supervisor and a supervisory committee of two other faculty members (one of whom can be from outside the law school) to fulfill the following requirements: Ph.D. students must complete the two mandatory graduate seminars of the Queen's LL.M. program, LAW 880 and LAW 881, if they have not already done so, or if they have not completed similar courses at another institution. In their first year, students take or audit other graduate-level courses relevant to their research topic, as recommended by their supervisor. Also in their first year, students will complete selected readings set by their supervisor, with a view to broadening student perspectives and knowledge in relation to their chosen area of research. By the end of their first semester of their second year of study, students must pass an oral qualifying exam before a committee composed of the student's supervisor, and two other faculty members, one of whom may come from a related department or faculty within the University. (Often, although not necessarily, the members of the student’s supervisory committee also form the qualifying examination committee.) The exam focuses upon a detailed dissertation proposal and draft chapter of the student's dissertation, and the committee will assess the viability of the proposed research topic and the student's readiness to pursue it. After the qualifying exam, students must submit a final thesis proposal to be approved by the supervisor, the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Research, and one other member of the law faculty (who may be a member of the student's supervisory committee.) The student must research and write a doctoral dissertation (LAW 999) that will not normally exceed 80,000 words (exclusive of footnotes, endnotes, bibliography, appendices, tabulated data, tables of cases and legislation, and table of contents). The student must defend their thesis orally before a final examination committee comprised of, in addition to the student's supervisor, the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies (or his or her delegate) as Chair, the Dean of Law (or his or her delegate), one other member of the Law Faculty, one faculty member from a related department or faculty within the University (these members may be members of the student's supervisory committee), and an external examiner from outsid ... · English: IELTS 7.0; PTE Academic 65 · English test waiver: Applicants whose native language includes English are not required to sit an English-language proficiency test. A final grade of 80% or more in ESLA 140 or ESLA 150 from Queen's University's English for Academic Purposes Program, achieved at the time of application, may also remove the test requirement. Source: https://www.queensu.ca/grad-postdoc/grad-studies/apply · Application fee: CAD 120.00 - non-refundable graduate application fee, payable by Visa or Mastercard; the application is complete only once the fee is paid. Source: https://www.queensu.ca/grad-postdoc/grad-studies/apply
The usual set for this level. Your counsellor confirms the exact list for this university.
- Academic transcripts
- English test score (IELTS/TOEFL)
- Passport copy
- Statement of purpose (optional)
- Recommendation letters (optional)
Cost & scholarships
- Tuition$5,888 CAD / year≈ $4,329 / year
- Application feeNo application fee for this programme
- Living costsVary by city — see the destination guide.
- ScholarshipsFinancial assistance as published for this program: Students accepted into the Ph.D. and LL.M. programs are eligible for scholarships and fellowships administered by Queen's University. All candidates for graduate work at Queen's may compete for these awards. The SourceView scholarship page
Application timeline
Typical timings. Deadlines differ per university and intake.
- 1Prepare documents1–2 weeks
- 2Submit application1–3 weeks
- 3Receive offer letter2–6 weeks
- 4Apply for visa4–8 weeks
Application deadline: The graduate application portal typically opens in September each year with deadlines occurring early in the new year; Queen's directs applicants to the individual degree-program website for that program's deadline, and most acceptances are made in March…
Visa & support journey
- Offer letterFrom the university
- Visa guidanceExpert support
- Pre-departureAccommodation & travel
- Ongoing supportEven after you arrive
Student stories
Real students. Real results.
- Average rating
- 4.9
- Google reviews
- 360+
- Rated five stars
- 95%
Average rating
Google reviews
Rated five stars
“I would like to express my gratitude for the excellent assistance provided during my student visa process. The team was responsive, knowledgeable, and supportive at every stage, from document preparation to submission guidance. Their clear communication and professional approach made the process much easier and more efficient.”
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Nihad K, 5 out of 5 stars
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Law - Doctor of Philosophy cost?
CAD 5,888 / year.
What English score does it need?
IELTS 7.0 overall is the score listed for this programme.
How long is it?
3 to 4 years - "The program normally takes 3 to 4…, as listed by the university.
What are the entry requirements?
Calendar entry for this degree: The Queen's Ph.D. in Law involves advanced legal research leading to the completion and oral defence of a doctoral dissertation. The program normally takes three to four years to complete. Each student works closely with a faculty supervisor and a supervisory committee of two other faculty members (one of whom can be from outside the law school) to fulfill the following requirements: Ph.D. students must complete the two mandatory graduate seminars of the Queen's LL.M. program, LAW 880 and LAW 881, if they have not already done so, or if they have not completed similar courses at another institution. In their first year, students take or audit other graduate-level courses relevant to their research topic, as recommended by their supervisor. Also in their first year, students will complete selected readings set by their supervisor, with a view to broadening student perspectives and knowledge in relation to their chosen area of research. By the end of their first semester of their second year of study, students must pass an oral qualifying exam before a committee composed of the student's supervisor, and two other faculty members, one of whom may come from a related department or faculty within the University. (Often, although not necessarily, the members of the student’s supervisory committee also form the qualifying examination committee.) The exam focuses upon a detailed dissertation proposal and draft chapter of the student's dissertation, and the committee will assess the viability of the proposed research topic and the student's readiness to pursue it. After the qualifying exam, students must submit a final thesis proposal to be approved by the supervisor, the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Research, and one other member of the law faculty (who may be a member of the student's supervisory committee.) The student must research and write a doctoral dissertation (LAW 999) that will not normally exceed 80,000 words (exclusive of footnotes, endnotes, bibliography, appendices, tabulated data, tables of cases and legislation, and table of contents). The student must defend their thesis orally before a final examination committee comprised of, in addition to the student's supervisor, the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies (or his or her delegate) as Chair, the Dean of Law (or his or her delegate), one other member of the Law Faculty, one faculty member from a related department or faculty within the University (these members may be members of the student's supervisory committee), and an external examiner from outsid ... · English: IELTS 7.0; PTE Academic 65 · English test waiver: Applicants whose native language includes English are not required to sit an English-language proficiency test. A final grade of 80% or more in ESLA 140 or ESLA 150 from Queen's University's English for Academic Purposes Program, achieved at the time of application, may also remove the test requirement. Source: https://www.queensu.ca/grad-postdoc/grad-studies/apply · Application fee: CAD 120.00 - non-refundable graduate application fee, payable by Visa or Mastercard; the application is complete only once the fee is paid. Source: https://www.queensu.ca/grad-postdoc/grad-studies/apply
Is there a scholarship?
Financial assistance as published for this program: Students accepted into the Ph.D. and LL.M. programs are eligible for scholarships and fellowships administered by Queen's University. All candidates for graduate work at Queen's may compete for these awards. The Source View scholarship page
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