How long does it take to get a law degree?
🇺🇸 United States
To become a lawyer in the U.S., you typically need 7 years total:
-
Bachelor’s degree – 4 years
- Any major is acceptable (political science, history, business, etc.)
-
Law school (Juris Doctor / J.D.) – 3 years
- Full-time program
- Part-time programs can take 4–5 years
➡️ Total: ~7 years (full-time)
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
The UK path is usually 5–6 years, depending on the route:
- LLB (law degree) – 3 years
or - Non-law degree (3 years) + conversion course (1 year)
- Professional training & apprenticeship – 1–2 years
➡️ Total: ~5–6 years
🇨🇦 Canada
- Undergraduate degree – 3–4 years
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) – 3 years
- Articling – ~1 year
➡️ Total: ~7–8 years
🇦🇺 Australia
- Combined undergraduate law degree – 5 years
or - Non-law degree (3 years) + JD (3 years)
- Practical legal training – ~1 year
➡️ Total: ~6–7 years
🌍 Other Factors That Can Change the Timeline
- Part-time study
- Accelerated programs
- Gap years
- Required licensing or bar training
Quick Summary
| Country | Typical Time |
|---|---|
| USA | ~7 years |
| UK | ~5–6 years |
| Canada | ~7–8 years |
| Australia | ~6–7 years |
If you want, tell me which country you’re considering, and I can give you a more precise, step-by-step path—including costs and licensing exams.