McMaster/Birmingham Honours BA + LLB Degree Option

McMaster Social Sciences & University of Birmingham: Honours BA Political Science + LLB Degree Option

McMaster Social Sciences offers a competitive and exciting pathway where students can earn both a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Political Science from McMaster and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Birmingham – one of the UK’s top law schools and a member of the prestigious Russell Group (the UK’s equivalent to Canada’s U15).

The LLB in the UK is equivalent to a JD in Canada, meaning you’ll graduate with credentials that are recognized and respected on both sides of the Atlantic.

This six-year program is more than just a degree. It’s a chance to live in the UK, study law internationally, and graduate career-ready with global experience.

Program Highlights

Two Degrees, One Journey

Graduate with an Honours BA Political Science from McMaster and an LLB from Birmingham in just six years of full-time study.

Study Law Abroad - No LSAT Required

Admission is based on your academic performance – no standardized test required.

Skip the stress and cost of LSAT prep and focus on building your future.

Career-Ready Curriculum

Prepare for legal practice in Canada and internationally. The program includes:

  • Exposure to UK and European legal systems
  • Canadian legal accreditation prep (NCA exams)
  • Legal reasoning and writing skills taught at McMaster before departure
  • Professional development support through connections with Hamilton’s legal community

Built-In Support

You’ll be supported from application to graduation – with advising, housing help, and academic prep.

While abroad, McMaster faculty stay connected, and when you return, the department will help you build connections in Hamilton’s legal community to support your career goals.

The University of Birmingham offers robust support for international students – learn more about studying in the UK and explore the student experience.

How Does It Work?

Years 1-2: Political Science At McMaster

Social Sciences at McMaster, including Social Sciences I. After completing Level I, students who declare Political Science as their major and complete at least 5 of the 6 required Political Science courses may apply for the Honours BA/LLB dual degree program.

Each year, the top 30 applicants (based on GPA) are selected to participate in the program.

Years 3-5: Law School at Birmingham

Study law in the UK at the University of Birmingham, complete required modules, and earn your LLB.

Your first year includes guaranteed housing – so you can settle in with confidence and focus on your studies.

Year 6: NCA Exam Prep

Return to complete final BA requirements and prepare for Canadian legal accreditation through the NCA process. The National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) assesses the credentials of internationally trained law graduates who wish to practice law in Canada.

McMaster’s final-year courses are designed to mirror NCA exam content, giving students a strong foundation and helping them prepare with confidence.

What You’ll Learn

At McMaster

  • Political Science courses with theoretical, empirical, and interdisciplinary approaches
  • Legal reasoning and writing skills in Year 2 – to prepare you for studying law in Birmingham
  • Final-year courses aligned with NCA exam content to help prepare you for your accreditation in Canada. Once you pass your accreditation; you can then take the Ontario bar exam.

At Birmingham

  • Criminal Law
  • Law of Contract
  • Public Law
  • Legal Skills and Methods
  • Law, Justice and Ethics
  • Decolonising Legal Concepts

Information Box Group

Why McMaster/Birmingham?

  • Adventure + Accreditation: Live in the UK, with close proximity to all of Europe while obtaining your law degree
  • Built-in support: Advisors, housing, curriculum prep, and peer community
  • Global recognition: Birmingham is part of the Russell Group — the UK’s equivalent to Canada’s U15
  • Flexible exit: Students who don’t complete the full program still retain credits at McMaster
  • No LSAT stress: Admission based on academic performance
  • Bonus: Birmingham has Canadian faculty and offers Canadian-focused courses to help bridge the gap

Career Pathways

Graduates are ready for:

  • Legal practice in Canada (after licensing/accreditation)
  • International law firms, NGOs, and government roles
  • Policy, advocacy, compliance, and consulting
  • Graduate studies or comparative legal research

McMaster is actively building relationships with legal organizations in Hamilton to help connect students with local opportunities – fostering professional development and opening doors to future employment.

Who Can Apply?

  • Students who declare Political Science as their major and complete 5 of 6 required courses can apply
  • Applications open March 2026
  • Second- and third-year students may also apply
  • A total of 30 students will be accepted to the program yearly, based on grades. A minimum of B+ is required, but based on the cohort, the final grades to be accepted may be higher.

Even if you don’t complete the full program, you’ll retain your McMaster credits and stay on track.

Finances

  • Approximate cost of tuition is £20,000 (approximately $40,000 Canadian) per year. This includes a 10% tuition discount at Birmingham
  • Cost of living in the UK is approximately 9% lower than Toronto