Osgoode offers a significant number of entrance and continuing scholarship funds, as well as conference funding to support our graduate students during their studies. In addition to the funding packages described below, York University offers competitive tuition rates for domestic graduate students in both the LLM and PhD programs. We advise students comparing the cost of graduate studies at Osgoode Hall to consider tuition fees alongside available funding packages.
Tuition
York has some of the lowest tuition fees for domestic graduate students. At the graduate level, all students are required to maintain continuous registration in three terms (fall, winter and summer) throughout their time in the program. Fees are paid per term, and there are three terms in a year.
Fees have not yet been set for the 2024-25 academic year. As reference, the fees for 2023-24, including both tuition and supplementary fees are as follows:
- Domestic full-time PhD and LLM: $1,727.54 per term
- International full-time LLM: $6,567.03 per term
- International full-time PhD: $6,292.03 per term
Please note that we are only able to accept a limited number of international students each year.
See the Student Financial Services page for more information on current fees.
Funding Packages
All domestic applicants admitted to our Research LLM and PhD programs receive significant funding. Funding is contingent on continuous registration as a full-time student, continued satisfactory academic performance and, for doctoral students, fulfillment of any funding-related employment obligations. While some scholarships are treated as part of the base funding package, others may be paid on top of the minimum amount.
Research LLM Students
- Domestic Research LLM students receive approximately $10,000 (minimum) for the year of the degree.
- International Research LLM students receive approximately $19,256 (minimum) for the year of the degree. We are only able to accept a limited number of international students each year; funding is limited and highly competitive.
PhD Students
Doctoral funding packages are composed of York Graduate Fellowships and some combination of teaching assistantships, graduate assistantships, research assistantships, scholarships and awards. Doctoral students are ordinarily expected to hold a Teaching Assistant (TA) position as a condition of their funding. Osgoode hires TAs for two JD courses: Legal Process and Ethical Lawyering in a Global Community. York University also engages graduate students in law to serve as TAs for programs in Criminology, Law and Society, Philosophy and Business.
- Domestic students receive approximately $24,267/year (minimum) in the first year of the PhD program. A similar level of funding is available in subsequent years of the program, contingent on full-time registration.
- International students receive approximately $36,218/year (minimum) in the first year of the PhD program. A similar level of funding is available in subsequent years of the program, contingent on full-time registration.
Research Assistantships
Research Assistantship positions provide students with paid positions that are directly related to their research to help further develop research skills and experience. Positions may be available to incoming students, current students, or both.
Prospective and current students should view the list of research-related work positions for students at Osgoode to find out what is currently available.
Graduate students may also view the list of research-related contract positions that are attached to either York’s research centres or major research projects within the Office of the Vice-President Research & Innovation.
Additional Funding
In addition to core funding packages that accompany admission to our graduate programs, York University’s Faculty of Graduate Studies outlines numerous funding sources – both internal and external – and Osgoode offers donor-funded awards.
Osgoode Scholarships and Fellowships
Osgoode’s graduate program offers donor-funded scholarships to some students based on merit and financial need. These funding offers are made on the basis of students’ application packages; most awards require no separate application. View the complete list of donor-funded awards open to Osgoode graduate students. This list includes fellowships offered by Osgoode’s Nathanson Centre on Transnational Human Rights, Crime and Security.
External Scholarships
Applicants should explore funding available from external agencies – both prior to enrolment and as continuing students. The Faculty of Graduate Studies offers information about external awards, including those from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) and the Province of Ontario Graduate Scholarships (OGS).
Osgoode students have had considerable success in applying for major graduate scholarships, such as the Ontario Graduate Scholarships, the Ontario Trillium Scholarships and those awarded by SSHRC and the Trudeau Foundation. The Graduate Program Office and York’s Faculty of Graduate Studies provide support to continuing students in drafting, revising and improving applications for these awards. We are proud that each year many of our students are awarded major scholarships by external agencies.
Financial Awards and Scholarship Competitions for International Students
Osgoode’s Research Graduate Program and the Faculty of Graduate Studies have some scholarship funding available for international students. The Faculty of Graduate Studies lists scholarships and awards available to international students. Students can also contact the Research Graduate Program office for more information. In addition, applicants may wish to explore funding opportunities offered by their home country or through agreements between Canada and their home country.
Conference Funding
The Graduate Program in Law supports the intellectual engagement of our students in many ways, including by providing funding for graduate students to present and attend a number of legal education conferences. Students are notified as funding opportunities become available throughout the year.