Faculty of Law Exchange Programs
Banner image credit: Megan Mussenden, JD student and exchange alumni, and winner of the 2023 UCalgary International Photo Contest
Students in UCalgary's Faculty of Law have the option to enhance their JD degree with an international exchange program. As an exchange student, you will study at a host university in another country. You will attend 1 semester of law courses abroad and, upon successfully completing your exchange, these course credits are transferred back to your JD degree.
The JD Law exchange program is competitive with limited spots available every year. All Law exchange applicants are interviewed and assessed collaboratively by the Global Learning office and the Law faculty advising office. These offices continue to work together throughout your exchange: the Global Learning office supports your logistic arrangements and travel preparations, while the Law faculty advising office supports your academic approvals and transfer credit.
Key details
Sterling Hillman, JD student who attended an exchange in Scotland
Exchange options
South Africa
- University of KwaZulu-Natal - minimum GPA 2.7
Canada
- University of Ottawa - minimum GPA 2.7 (only available for students in the CCLF program)
Mexico
- Tecnológico de Monterrey - minimum GPA 2.7 (course instruction is primarily in Spanish with limited English courses)
Hong Kong SAR
- University of Hong Kong - minimum GPA 3.2
- Chinese University of Hong Kong - minimum GPA 3.0
- City University of Hong Kong - minimum GPA 3.0
India
- OP Jindal Global University - details coming soon
Singapore
- National University of Singapore - minimum GPA 3.0 (limited space, Law placements not guaranteed)
Austria
- University of Graz - minimum GPA 2.7
Denmark
- University of Copenhagen - minimum GPA 2.7
Finland
- University of Helsinki - minimum GPA 2.7
France
- Aix-Marseille Université - minimum GPA 2.7 (course instruction is in French only)
Germany
- Bucerius Law School - minimum GPA 2.7
Italy
- University of Trento - minimum GPA 2.7
Netherlands
- University of Amsterdam - minimum GPA 3.0
- Erasmus University Rotterdam - minimum GPA 2.7
- University of Groningen - minimum GPA 2.7
Norway
- University of Oslo - minimum GPA 2.7
Switzerland
- University of Lucerne - minimum GPA 2.7
United Kingdom
- University of Aberdeen - minimum GPA 3.0
- University of Exeter - minimum GPA 3.0
- University of Glasgow - minimum GPA 3.0
Australia
- Curtin University - minimum GPA 2.7
- University of Adelaide - minimum GPA 2.7
- University of Queensland - minimum GPA 3.0 (limited space, Law placements not guaranteed)
- University of Western Australia - minimum GPA 2.7
New Zealand
- University of Auckland - minimum GPA 3.0 (limited space, Law placements not guaranteed)
Your next steps
Identify 4-6 programs of interest
Law exchange placements are competitive, typically accepting a maximum of 2 students per program, up to a total of 20-25 students per year. (These limits are determined by multiple factors, including balancing the number of incoming international students and ensuring that enough students are in Calgary for courses to run as normal.)
For this reason, we strongly recommend identifying at least 4 programs that you are interested in, and ideally 6 programs. You will be able to specify your order of preference and priorities in the application, but having back-ups will give you the best chance of being selected.
Attend an info session
The info session is a great opportunity for you to meet your advisors, learn more about how law exchanges work, and ensure you are on track to apply. You can find the info session details at the top of this page.
The info session will also present any known available options for the summer, in case you are unable to pursue a semester abroad.
If you miss the info session, you can still apply for an exchange. Please just read this page carefully and contact an advisor if you have any questions.
Prepare your application
Your preparations should include: reviewing the program pages, checking course offerings, requesting 1 reference letter from a UCalgary Law instructor, and filling out the online application.
You will ultimately fill out 1 online application form for each program you are applying to. Start by "saving" your applications, until you have all 4-6 program applications "saved". Once you're ready, you can "submit" your top 3 applications and rank them in your order of priority (note: the application system will not allow you to "submit" more than 3 applications).
Have questions?
International travel presents challenges that may not be found when attending classes on campus. There may be a lack of resources, emergency services, hospitals, accessibility issues and/or demands on the physical and the mental self, all of which can challenge individuals when away from their usual support systems and structures. Adequate preparation is essential.
For this reason, it is imperative that you evaluate all aspects of your own physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual condition against the rigors of the particular global learning program you are selecting. If you are unsure of whether or not this program is a good fit for you and/or if you have any circumstances that could impede your enjoyment of the program, please contact us. Our Global Learning Advisors will be happy to assist in finding the best options for you and arrange any supports or accommodations necessary to ensure your success.
If you have or are seeking a certificate from Student Accessibility Services, you should provide this early to your Global Learning Advisor to ensure that the option that you are seeking can support your needs.
Please note: All participants must adhere to COVID-19 and other vaccination-related requirements for the destinations visited on this program. Failure to do so may have consequences such as being denied access to accommodation/housing, program activities, or to the host country itself.