How does the college system work?

Question

I'd like to do an undergraduate law program in the U.K. as an international student. How many years does this take? If I chose to do a postgraduate law program, how long would that take? Thank you.

Answer 1

In England & Wales (excluding Scotland and Northen Ireland), students are admitted into a three or four year undergraduate law degree (LL.B.) after completing sixth form college and attaining three to five Advanced Level certificates ("A Levels"). Additionally, many universities now require a successful performance in the LNAT test.

The completion of the LL.B. is then followed by a one year postgraduate professional course, being either the Legal Practice Course or Bar Vocational Course, depending on the choice of career. Following the postgraduate course, students wishing to qualify as solicitors must complete a further two years professional experience known as the 'training contract'; those wishing to qualify as barristers must complete a further one year as a pupil at Chambers. The process generally takes five to seven years. After LL.B. studies, many students alternatively opt to study for a LL.M. degree before pursuing a professional career.

Overseas students must have an equivalent degree for entry on a LL.M. program: this is normally a J.D. or LL.B.