New international partnership gives students a faster route to law
The University of Exeter Law School is ranked in the top 150 law schools in the world by Times Higher Education
An exclusive international groundbreaking legal partnership offers students a faster route to becoming a lawyer.
The new Accelerated Law Program, by the University of Exeter and Simon Fraser University gives students the opportunity to graduate in only six years with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) from SFU and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Exeter, qualifying them to pursue legal careers in Canada and the UK.
The first cohort of students will start in the fall of 2026. Interested students can apply starting Oct. 1, 2025. Program graduates will help B.C. meet the forecasted demand for lawyers in Western Canada over the next decade and beyond.
As part of the program, students will spend their first two years working toward a declared major in SFU’s Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. After three years abroad in the LLB program at the University of Exeter Law School students return to SFU for the final year to finish their Bachelor of Arts degree. The final year includes the Certificate in Foundations of Canadian Law, which prepares them to be certified to practice law in Canada.
In addition to offering students a faster route to becoming a lawyer, the SFU-Exeter program does not require students to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or compete in a lengthy admissions cycle. Once accepted into the SFU-Exeter Accelerated Law Program, students are automatically admitted to Exeter provided that they remain in good academic standing after completing 60 academic credits while at SFU and that they are eligible for a UK student visa.
Students will receive assistance in preparing to move abroad, including help navigating the UK’s student visa application process, as well as a guaranteed spot in university-run housing during their first year at Exeter. Under the partnership, students receive a significant tuition discount at Exeter, in addition to extensive advising and professional support from both institutions throughout the duration of the program.
“Bringing together leading research universities from Canada and the UK in this dual degree program is a unique opportunity,” says Simon Fraser University FASS dean Laurel Weldon. “As a first of its kind program in British Columbia, students now have a new pathway to complete a comprehensive undergraduate education – which provides a solid foundation for career and personal development – along with their legal education, while saving at least one year of tuition to practice law sooner.”
The University of Exeter Law School is ranked in the top 150 law schools in the world by Times Higher Education and the top 15 in the UK by the Times and the Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025.
Dr Richard Bowyer, Acting Head of the University of Exeter Law School, said: “We are excited by this partnership with SFU, which puts the academic and career interests of our students at its very heart. Not only will students qualify for legal practice more quickly compared with traditional routes, but they will acquire knowledge and experience of two jurisdictions and benefit from our law school’s research-led teaching.”
The University of Exeter’s award-winning Community Law Clinic further provides students with the opportunity to advise real clients under the supervision of a qualified lawyer, developing our students’ skills and making them competitive for jobs with the best law firms.
George Ikonomou, a Canadian alumni of the University of Exeter Law School, who is currently Associate at Gehlen Dabbs Cash LLP in Vancouver, said: “Exeter combined world-class teaching, a welcoming community, and a stunning campus environment. It’s an experience that shaped my professional path and enriched my personal life in ways I’ll always value. My time at Exeter gave me more than just an outstanding education, it gave me lifelong friendships and connections that have stayed with me across countries and careers. Studying at Exeter was the foundation for an international career that’s taken me across borders and industries. Between studying law, finding the best pizza in town, sharing a pint with friends, and joining countless societies, Exeter gave me the perfect mix of hard work and great fun.”
