Admissions

Admission Requirements

The GDipICL is a competitive, high-demand program, and we receive far more applications than there are available spaces. This means that you are not guaranteed an offer of admission even if you meet the minimum requirements. Preference is given to students with the best qualifications

To ensure your application is considered for admission, we strongly encourage you to review the following webpage for all admission requirements.

Admissions decisions are final and may not be appealed. Requests for deferred entry will only be granted in limited circumstances, and only for students admitted for the Fall term.  Deferral requests must be submitted at the earliest possible date and will not be considered after the start of the term for which admission was granted.  

For a detailed breakdown of admission requirements and academic policies, please review the Handbook of Academic Regulations, Policies, and Procedures.

Application Deadlines & Start Dates

•    September start (full-time and part-time students; larger intake) - Application deadline: April 1 (Document deadline: May 15)
•    January start (full time students only; smaller intake)- Application deadline: August 1 (Document deadline: September 15)

These deadlines are firm and include the submission of all supporting documentation (transcripts, references and language test scores if required).

Note: Admissions decisions will be communicated after the application deadline has closed, and normally no later than two months prior to program start date.

1. A Bachelor's degree from a recognized university (or equivalent institution*).

A complete application must include official, up-to-date transcripts for all current and previous study you have listed in the Academic Background section of the application. Transcripts must be scanned (black and white recommended) and saved as a PDF file, then uploaded to the online application. Please see the “Tips for Transcript Upload” document HERE. You can also consult the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs website for more information, HERE.

 *Applicants with a degree from a post-secondary institution that is not a recognized university will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

2. A minimum of a B average or equivalent in the bachelor’s degree.

3.  Language test scores

Applicants whose native languages do not include English will need to earn satisfactory standing in an English Language Proficiency Test as part of the application process, and before final acceptance is granted. There are only two grounds for exemption from this requirement, as elaborated below: 

1. Any applicant whose native languages do not include English, but who, within the 12-month period prior to the month of application, has studied on a full-time basis for at least one complete year at a university where English is the official language of instruction, may submit with their application a request to be exempted from the English language proficiency test requirement. Proof will be required that it has not been more than one year since the applicant was a full-time student at the university and that English is the language of instruction there. Acceptable proof of this is the original, official transcript, received from the issuing post-secondary institution or uploaded as part of the application for admission. If it is not stated on or evident from the transcript that English is the language of instruction, arrangements must be made for a separate, official letter that confirms this to be sent to the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs from the issuing post-secondary institution. 
2. Any applicant who has successfully completed ESLA 150 (University Preparation Level) in the Queen's School of English, English for Academic Purposes program, with an "A" grade may also submit a request to be exempted from the English language proficiency test requirement. 

Those applicants who do not meet one of the two requirements listed above, will be required to obtain satisfactory standing in an English Language Proficiency Test as part of the application process. 

Minimum requirements for the four English language proficiency tests which are accepted for applications to this program are as follows:

Learn more about IELTS, TOEFL and CAEL.

The Admissions Committee retains the discretion to require a personal interview and/or submission of a language proficiency test score as part of the admissions process.

More information regarding the ESLA 150 program with the Queen’s School of English can be found here: English for Immigration and Citizenship Law Pathway | Queen's School of English (queensu.ca). Conditional offers of admission are required to enroll in the ESLA 150 program, and this must be identified on your GDipICL application. The Queen’s School of English does not accept direct applications for acceptance into this program.  Applicants who wish to take this program must identify their interest on the GDipICL Fall application and provide all admissions-related documents for a full application assessment.  Conditional Offers of Admission will be sent to successful candidates, who will then enter the ESLA 150 program in the Fall term.  The ESLA 150 program is not available to Winter applicants.

4. References

Applicants to the Graduate Diploma are required to identify two referees who will submit letters of reference. At least one academic reference is required for students who have graduated from their most recent degree studies less than five years prior to application. The second reference may be either a professional reference or an academic reference. 

Applicants who have graduated more than five years prior to application are not required to submit an academic reference and may instead provide two professional references. 

Please note: A professional reference should be someone who has supervised you at work or in a volunteer position. References cannot be from a friend, colleague or relative.

Once you have submitted and paid for your application, your referees will be contacted by the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs via email, and asked to complete the online reference form. 

References are an important part of your application to the Graduate Diploma. It is highly advisable to select referees who know your skills and experience, and who can communicate your ability to succeed in an academic program. We recommend that you contact your referees with a minimum of four weeks’ notice before the application deadline. Ensure that your referees are available and have ample time to complete the reference form before the application deadline.

Note that all reference forms are verified for authenticity.
 

5. A Statement of Interest

Applicants must submit a two-part, 200- 300 word (1280-1925 characters) statement of interest explaining their career objectives and reasons for wanting to pursue the Graduate Diploma in Immigration and Citizenship Law. 

The statement of interest should be submitted through the online application system. More specific instructions are included in the online application. 
Please note the maximum 2000 characters in the online application system does not apply.

6. Eligibility

The Graduate Diploma is open to applicants of all nationalities, regardless of residency or citizenship status in Canada. For more information, please see Other Factors Governing Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant Eligibility in the textbox below.

Single course Enrolment

Students can register for up to four courses individually as an Interest Student. Students may enroll in an individual course as either an Interest Student for Program Credit or as an Interest Student for No Program Credit. Interest Students must meet all requirements for admission. Please visit GDipICL Handbook, section 2.2.2 for further information.
 

Clicking the below button will redirect you to the Queen's School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs application portal.

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