Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility in Admissions

We welcome and are actively recruiting applicants from communities that experience historical and present-day systemic discrimination and marginalization, and who are committed to social justice, equity, anti-racism and decolonization. Why? Because true equity means that lawyers and the Canadian legal system should reflect the people and communities they represent.

Admission streams

In our admission decisions, our holistic approach takes into consideration not only LSAT and GPA, but who you are are as a person.

The different admission categories below provide opportunities for everyone to find a pathway to law school. Each application goes through a holistic review. 

• First year admissions
• Inclusive admission stream
• Indigenous admission stream
• Black admission stream
• Upper Year Admissions
• Admissions for Joint degree in Canadian Common Law and Indigenous legal orders (JD/JID)

Equity & Diversity Survey

At UVic Law, we care deeply about equity, diversity and inclusivity in our student body, legal education and the legal profession. Diversity requires acceptance and respect. We understand that each individual is unique and we value your individual differences. Learn more about our equity & diversity survey.

Student Support

The Amicus program is a unique UVic Law student support initiative that plays an active role in engaging, advising and supporting you during your law school journey. There are four overlapping components in the program:

• Academic support & mentorship
• Cultural support
• Personal support
• Accommodation support 

We have also just launched the Black Professionals Leadership Program, which matches students with faculty and professional mentors and provides workshops to enhance educational and professional skills. 

Resources

• Wellness supports for students at UVic
• Indigenous Student Supports
• UVic Law Equity Policy statement
  
• UVic Equity and Human Rights Office
• Financial aid 
  The University of Victoria has a well funded pool of Entrance Scholarships. Examples of some of our more recently developed awards specific to Black, Indigenous and People of Colour students include:

• • Joseph Arvay Social Justice Award – $1,000
  • Harper Grey LLP Diversity Award – $1,000
  • Life in Law Diversity Award – $1,000
  • One Heart for Reconciliation Award – Value varies
    

• JD Bridges Foundation offers bursaries to promote the pursuit of legal education for Black students in Canada. (Not part of UVic)

Law Student Clubs

This year there are 25 different student clubs, many of which have been created to support BIPOC students:

• Racialized Law Students Collective
• Indigenous Law Students Association (ILSA)
• OUTLaws
• FemLaw
• Black Students Association
• Pan-Asian Law Society
• South Asian Law Students Association
• National Black Law Students' Association of Canada (not part of LSS)

Opportunities to make a difference

At UVic Law we have experiential learning opportunities, clubs and research centres that allow students to really make an impact. 

• The Law Centre
• The Environmental Law Clinic
• Pro Bono Students of Canada
• The Access to Justice Centre for Excellence

Contact us

We have a large and devoted team of staff and faculty to assist you through your law school journey. We know that law school is tough, and we are committed to removing as many barriers as we can to help you have a successful and enriching experience here at UVic Law. 

Please reach out to any member of our support team below if you have further questions:

• Lori Klear: Admissions Officer
• Tiffany Gordon:Graduate Admissions Officer
• Zubaida Khan: Law Student Support Coordinator
• Tim Richards: Coordinator of Academic Support Services
• Christina Friesen: Law student counsellor at the Health and Wellness Centre
• Yvonne Lawson: Student accommodation support