- Level
- 1-Year Graduate Certificate
- CIP code
- 22.0302
- Duration
- 1 Year
- Open intake
-
Off-shoreSep 2027
- Field
- Law, Politics, and Public Administration
- Institution
- Public College
- Offer speed
- Fast Offer Speed5–7 days
- Next deadline
- 2026-09-01
Program overview
The Graduate Certificate - Paralegal (PLG1) is a 1 year program at Fanshawe College’s London campus.
Ontario is the only province with licensed independent paralegals, and PLG1 is a Law Society-accredited route to that licence: small claims, tribunal practice, provincial offences, legal research and ethics with field placement. The scope of practice is real — court representation, not just support work.
Fanshawe brings big-college machinery to bear — industry advisory committees, applied-research centres and one of Ontario’s largest co-op operations — inside a city that keeps student budgets workable.
Treat the field code — CIP 22.0302 (field of study) — as part of the admission decision: confirm it on the PGWP-aligned page and with IRCC before enrolment, not after.
What it costs per year · indicative
Living cost is an estimate; tuition is the institute's published international fee. We confirm exact, current figures before you pay anything.
Do you qualify?
These are the published minimums. Whether your profile fits — with your marks, gap and budget — is exactly what a free counsellor check confirms.
Admission requirements
Who can apply (guide for international students):
- Education: A recognised bachelor’s degree or college diploma with approximately 70% or better.
- IELTS: R-6.0, W-6.0, L-6.0, S-6.0, Overall 6.5
- TOEFL iBT: Total 88.0
- PTE: Overall 59
- Duolingo: 120
- GRE/GMAT: Not required.
Application fee $100 CAD. Apply well before the February 1 equal-consideration date for September entry — capped international seats mean popular programs fill early. An Ontario Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) is arranged through admission. Ask an Apply Study Visa counsellor to verify current PGWP alignment and seats before applying.
English requirements
Documents you'll need typical · we confirm yours
- Valid passport (6+ months validity)
- Class 10 & 12 marksheets and certificates
- Bachelor's degree marksheets & final certificate
- English test scorecard (IELTS / PTE / TOEFL) or MOI certificate
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Letters of Recommendation (LOR)
- Updated CV / resume
- Financial proof — bank statement / loan sanction + GIC
- Passport-size photographs
- Study-gap affidavit or work-experience letter (if applicable)
Getting documents right is the #1 reason applications succeed or get refused — our team checks every file before submission.
Career opportunities
Licensed paralegals hold genuine practice rights in Ontario:
- Licensed Paralegal (upon licensing) — independent and firm practice
- Small Claims & Tribunal Advocate — represented practice areas
- Legal Services Provider — corporate and insurance settings
- Court & Enforcement Roles — justice-system positions
- Compliance Officer pathway — regulatory roles
- Law School Trajectory — for some, a step toward JD study
Ontario is the only province with licensed independent paralegals — the credential carries real scope.
About Fanshawe College
- Type
- College
- Ownership
- Public
- Rating
- ★ 4.9
- World rank
- #5433
- Reference No.
- O19361039982
