An Intensive Foundation in Canadian Law
Osgoode’s Full-Time Graduate Diploma in Foundations of Canadian Law is designed for internationally trained lawyers and law graduates who want to develop the legal knowledge and skills required to navigate Canada’s common law system. Over the course of this intensive 8-month in-person program, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of the Canadian legal framework across core areas of public and private law, alongside training in legal research and writing.
Who should apply
Internationally Trained Lawyers & Law Graduates: Particularly those from civil law jurisdictions, seeking a stronger foundation in Canadian common law before pursuing further legal study or professional goals in Canada.
Our students come from a wide range of industries and professional backgrounds, and we encourage prospective applicants to submit their CV for a pre-application review.
Alumni Spotlight
Yanki Gur
Yanki is an international student from Turkey who completed the Graduate Diploma Program, and moved on to pursue the Canadian Common Law LLM. She describes her journey to become licensed to practise in Canada.
Tiwa Orija
Tiwa is a criminal defence lawyer at Legal Aid Saskatchewan. She highlights the practical training she gained from the program that became the foundation of her later success, including drafting legal memos in a Canadian style, conducting legal research using Canadian resources and databases and writing structured research papers and case briefs.
Information Session
Learn About the Program
Interested in our full-time Graduate Diploma in Foundations of Canadian Law? In this on demand session, you will learn more about course offerings, degree requirements, what to expect during your studies and the steps to apply.
Additional Sessions for Internationally-Trained Lawyers
Drop in Advising Sessions
Sign up to join a virtual office hours session!
Attendees will have a ten minute 1:1 advising session with one of our Advisors. There are no scheduled appointment times for drop-in hours, attendees will be seen on a first come, first served basis. You should expect to wait in a queue (rather than being seen immediately), so make sure to have a comfortable chair and bring something to do while you wait (just like a real waiting room!) To attend this session, you will need a device that is compatible with Zoom, with a microphone/speakers and camera.
Other Events and Webinars
We regularly host in-person and online information sessions and other events for prospective applicants.
Program Requirements
The Graduate Diploma in Foundations of Canadian Law (Full-Time) is designed to be completed over 8 months (two terms) of intensive, in-person study. Students complete four required courses (12 credits) followed by 1-2 elective courses (6 credits), drawn from Professional LLM course offerings.
Required Courses:
Elective Courses:
Elective course offerings are drawn from the Professional LLM. Students work with an advisor to select elective course(s) that are relevant to their individual goals and professional experience. Internationally trained lawyers may opt to use their elective space to complete courses that meet subject requirements of the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA).
What to Expect
After accepting your offer of admission, you’ll receive information about course schedules. All required courses are offered in person. Courses may be held at our downtown Toronto location or on the York University Keele campus. Full-time students have limited access to online courses (generally only when there isn’t an equivalent in-person option) and should expect to take all courses in person and visit campus on a regular basis.
If you’re looking for a more flexible option, including courses delivered online through live video conferencing, consider applying to the part-time version of the program.
Program Start and Application Deadlines
The diploma accepts new students once each calendar year, in the Winter term.
Winter 2027
Application Deadlines:
International Applicants are Encouraged to Apply by: April 15, 2026
Final Deadline: September 15, 2026
Tuition and Fees
Full-time students pay in two installments over two terms.
Please note that the tuition/fees displayed here are subject to change, and may vary depending on your entry term.
Domestic (Ontario)
$5,049.00per term for 2 terms
$10,098.00total
Domestic (Out of Province)
$5,301.45per term for 2 terms
$10,602.90total
International
$10,318.37per term for 2 terms
$20,636.74total
Students are also subject to supplementary fees including health benefits. Find out more about supplementary fees here.
Admission Requirements
The Admissions Committee reviews applications holistically, considering factors such as academic and professional experience, goals of study, and overall fit with the program. The information below represents the minimum requirements for admission consideration. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee admission.
A degree in law from outside Canada with a minimum overall “B” (75%) average (or equivalent)
Applicants without a law degree must have an honours bachelor’s degree with a minimum overall “B” (75%) average or (or equivalent) and at least two years of relevant professional experience involving exposure to legal or regulatory issues
Acceptable English language proficiency (see requirements)
How to Apply
Create Your OsgoodePD Applicant Profile
Create an applicant profile in our online application portal. This portal allows us to gather your information, transcripts, and other documents electronically. You will receive an email with directions outlining how to create a new password for your application, along with a link to access the application.
Upload Application Documents
The following documents are required:
- Resume/CV
- Writing Sample
- Contact Information for Two References
- Transcripts
- Official Proof of Language Proficiency (if applicable)
For more information, see our Application Documents to Upload section.
Pay and Submit
Once your application is completed, you will be required to pay a non-refundable $140 CAD application fee.
Wait for Review
Timelines for decisions vary by program, but we will be in touch if we have questions about your application or need more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact Us
Have questions? We’re here to help! Click here to get in touch.