Liberal Arts & Professional Studies

Law & Society

At a Glance
About the Program
Requirements
Start Your Application
Applied Learning Opportunities
Potential Career Paths
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At a Glance

Learn more about Law & Society

Offered by

Liberal Arts & Professional Studies

Offered at

Keele Campus

Degrees offered

Ways to study

Full-Time, Part-Time

Entry

Fall - Yes (first and upper year)
Winter - Yes (first and upper year)
Summer - Yes (first and upper year)

Applied Learning Opportunities

OUAC Code

YFT (BA)

About the Program

Law & Society at York is one of the oldest and largest legal studies programs in North America with an over 30-year history. In this program, you’ll examine how law shapes and is shaped by society while gaining a deeper knowledge of the law and how it has impacted the course of history. You’ll explore how laws are created, interpreted and applied, while considering their impact on people and communities. Drawing from disciplines like sociology, philosophy and criminology, the program helps you understand legal systems from multiple perspectives. You’ll build strong skills in critical thinking, research and communication, and explore topics such as rights, justice and social responsibility. If you’re interested in law, policy or social justice, this program provides a strong foundation for careers in legal, government and community settings.

Undergraduate Students Handbook 2027-28

Liberal Arts & Professional Studies Handbook

Requirements

BA

Requirements for admission:

Alberta High School Diploma

ELA30-1 or English 30

And four additional academic courses numbered 30 or 31

To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 75%.

BA

Requirements for admission:

British Columbia Secondary School Graduation Diploma

English 12 or English 12 First Peoples

And four additional Grade 12 Academic subjects

To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 75%.

BA

Requirements for admission:

Baccalauréat Général

A maximum of 30 possible transferable credits may be granted for successful completion of the Baccalauréat Général. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.

BA

Requirements for admission:

Successful completion of the final year of senior studies

Minimum overall result of “Bien/Buena/Bueno/Good” on all academic courses.
Some programs require a higher GPA.

BA

Requirements for admission:

Diploma with a total of at least six units, including prerequisites, and grades of 1, 2 or 3 in each unit.

CAPE 2-unit courses, with results of 3 or better, are eligible for transfer credit, up to a maximum of 18 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.

BA

Requirements for admission:

One year of CEGEP

2 semesters of English (code 603) / Français (code 601)

And ten additional academic courses (high-school equivalent courses not accepted)

Extra courses will be assessed for transfer credit. Applicants with the DEC may be awarded up to one full year of transfer credit.

To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 75%.

BA

Requirements for admission:

Senior Secondary School Graduation Certificate

BA

Requirements for admission:

Lise Diplomasi

BA

Requirements for admission:

General Certificate of Education (GCE) Examinations

GCE A2 examinations with results of "C" or better, are eligible for transfer credit, up to a maximum of 18 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.

To gain admission to this program, minimum average of C is required.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of C.

The overall average required for admission is determined each year on a program specific basis. Some programs have limited enrolment. Admission is not guaranteed, and all requirements are subject to change.

BA

Requirements for admission:

Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)

BA

Requirements for admission:

International Baccalaureate Diploma

IB Diploma with passes in six subjects: three passes at the Standard-level and three passes at the Higher-level, or two passes at the Standard-level and four passes at the Higher-level

Transfer credit is granted for IB courses with Higher-level final grades of 5 or better, to a maximum of 30 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.

To gain admission to this program, minimum IB diploma point scores of 28 is required.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires minimum IB diploma point scores of 28.

BA

Requirements for admission:

Completion of one of the following:
All-India Senior School Certificate (AISSCE)

Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC)

Indian School Certificate (ISC)

Intermediate Examination Certificate

Pre-University Examination Certificate

BA

Requirements for admission:

Manitoba High School Diploma

English 40S

And four additional 40S level academic subjects (no more than one at the 40G level)

To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 75%.

BA

Requirements for admission:

New Brunswick High School Graduation Diploma

English 120, 121 or 122

And five additional Grade 12 academic subjects (college preparatory 120, 121 or 122)

To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 75%.

BA

Requirements for admission:

Newfoundland and Labrador High School Graduation Diploma

English 3201

And nine additional credits at the 3000 level

To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 75%.

BA

Requirements for admission:

Nova Scotia High School Graduation Diploma

English 12

And four additional Grade 12 academic subjects (university preparatory academic or advanced)

To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 75%.

BA

Requirements for admission:

Nunavut High School Graduation Diploma

ELA30-1 or English 30

And four additional academic courses numbered 30 or 31

To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 75%.

BA

Requirements for admission:

Northwest Territories High School Graduation Diploma

ELA30-1 or English 30

And four additional academic courses numbered 30 or 31

To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 75%.

BA

Requirements for admission:

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)

ENG4U

And five additional 4U or M courses

To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 75%.

OUAC code YFT

BA

Requirements for admission:

Completion of a diploma program or at least two full semesters or one year of full-time academic study at an accredited college

Overall average of 3.0 or better on a 4-point scale (or equivalent)

BA

To be considered a mature student, you must:

be at least 21 years old by the end of the calendar year of admission to the University;

have been out of full-time high school studies for at least two years; and

have attempted less than one full year of studies at an accredited college or university.

BA

Requirements for admission:

Completion of at least four full-year courses or one year of full-time degree studies at an accredited university

Overall average of 2.3 or better on a 4-point scale (or equivalent)

BA

Requirements for admission:

Prince Edward Island Senior Secondary School Diploma

English 621

And four additional Grade 12 academic subjects (numbered 611 or 621)

To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 75%.

BA

Requirements for admission:

Quebec Grade 12 Certificate of Graduation

Grade 12 English

And five additional academic (university preparation level) subjects

To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 75%.

BA

Requirements for admission:

Transcript of Secondary Level Achievement

English A30 and English B30

And three additional Grade 12 academic subjects numbered 30

To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 75%.

BA

Requirements for admission:

General Secondary Education Certificate

BA

Requirements for admission:

High School Diploma

AP College Board examinations are eligible for transfer credit, for results of 4 or 5, up to a maximum of 30 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.

BA

Requirements for admission:

West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) or National Examinations Council (NECO)

BA

Requirements for admission:

British Columbia Secondary School Graduation Diploma

English 12 or English 12 First Peoples

And four additional Grade 12 Academic subjects

To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 75%.

Start Your Application

View deadlines for

Winter 2027 (January) entry - November 18, 2026
Summer 2027 (May) entry - April 1, 2027
Fall 2027 (September) entry - January 15, 2027

Winter 2027 (January) entry - November 18, 2026
Summer 2027 (May) entry - April 1, 2027
Fall 2027 (September) entry - March 24, 2027

Winter 2027 (January) entry - November 18, 2026
Summer 2027 (May) entry - April 1, 2027
Fall 2027 (September) entry - March 24, 2027

Winter 2027 (January) entry - November 18, 2026
Summer 2027 (May) entry - April 1, 2027
Fall 2027 (September) entry - March 24, 2027

How to Apply

Required Documentation for Undergraduate Applicants

Language Requirements

Deadlines for Undergraduate Study

Applied Learning Opportunities

Law & Society offers hands-on learning that connects legal concepts to real-world contexts. You can take part in fieldwork at institutions such as archives and human rights museums, gaining insight into how law operates in practice. Courses include applied projects like attending and analyzing court cases or exploring legal issues through creative, arts-based work. Outside the classroom, the Law & Society Students’ Association provides opportunities to network, collaborate and build professional connections. Through optional paid co-op opportunities and experiential learning across your degree, you’ll apply theory to real situations, build critical thinking and communication skills, and prepare for careers in law, policy and related fields.

Learn More about Experiential Education

Explore Co-op at York