- Find out how different countries shape your path to becoming a lawyer—some let you start right after high school, while others make you take the long route through a Bachelor's first, and a postgraduate after degree.
- Becoming a lawyer takes a long time and getting that law degree is just the start. Real-world training like articling or pupilage stands between you and your license.
- There’s more than one way to become a lawyer; the right path depends on where you study. Explore your options by reading this guide and find the best law degrees on Mastersportal.
Thinking about becoming a lawyer? Whether you dream of defending clients in court, negotiating business deals, or working in human rights, a legal career can be rewarding and full of opportunities. Lawyers are in demand worldwide, and the profession offers high earning potential, job security, and the chance to make a real impact.
But how do you become a lawyer? The steps vary depending on the country where you want to practise. Some places, like the United States and Canada, require a Juris Doctor (JD) degree after a bachelor’s degree. You usually need a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) in Europe and the UK, followed by professional training and exams.
Explore available Law Bachelor’s degreesand Law Master’s degrees
Law schools: What degree do you need to be a lawyer?
The degree you need to become a lawyer depends on the country where you want to practise. In most cases, you must complete a law degree or an equivalent legal qualification, followed by further training and exams. Legal education systems vary, but they generally follow undergraduate and postgraduate routes.
1. Undergraduate law degrees (direct entry into law)
Some countries allow you to study law as your first university degree. This is common in:
- United Kingdom, Australia, and most of Europe – You earn a Bachelor of Laws (LLB), which typically takes three to four years.
- India and some other Commonwealth countries – You can take a five-year BA LLB straight after high school.
- Brazil, China, and many civil law countries – Law is an undergraduate degree but is often longer (four to five years) and includes national licensing exams.
2. Postgraduate law degrees (for those who study another subject first)
Some countries require you to complete a first degree in any subject before studying law. This is common in:
- United States and Canada – You must complete a bachelor’s degree in any field first, then study law at law school to earn a Juris Doctor (JD), which takes three years.
- United Kingdom (alternative route) – If you study a non-law subject first, you can take a Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) or Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL), which is a one-year conversion course. After that, you continue with professional legal training.
3. Other legal education systems
Some countries have unique legal education pathways that combine university studies with professional training. For example:
- Germany – Law students take the First State Examination after university, followed by a two-year legal traineeship (Referendariat), and then the Second State Examination before qualifying as a lawyer.
- France – After an LLB or Master’s in Law, students must pass the CRFPA exam and complete 18 months of training at a bar school before taking the final CAPA exam to qualify.
- Spain and Italy – Law graduates must complete additional postgraduate training and pass a bar exam to practise independently.
Find your Master's of Law degree on Mastersportal
Professional training: The second step to becoming a lawyer
Earning a law degree is just the first step. To become a fully qualified lawyer, you must complete professional legal training, which includes practical work experience and passing qualification exams. The process varies by country, but it typically involves:
1. Legal Internships, Traineeships, or Articles
Most countries require law graduates to gain real-world experience under the supervision of experienced lawyers. This stage is known as:
- Traineeship or Pupillage – In countries like the UK (barristers) and Germany, graduates must complete 1–2 years of supervised training before taking the final exam.
- Articling – In Canada, law graduates work as articling students under a licensed lawyer for about one year before becoming fully qualified.
- Stagiu de Pregătire Profesională – In Romania, junior lawyers complete a two-year legal traineeship before taking the final qualification exam.
- Judicial Clerkships – Some countries, like the US, offer clerkship programs where law graduates work for judges before joining a law firm.
2. Bar Exams and Professional Assessments
To become a licensed lawyer, you must pass a bar exam or professional assessment. These tests evaluate legal knowledge, problem-solving skills, and the ability to apply the law in real cases. Examples include:
- Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) – UK solicitors must pass two assessments after their degree.
- Bar Exam (US & Canada) – A rigorous test covering constitutional, criminal, and civil law.
- State Examination (Germany) – Two major exams, including a written and oral test after a legal traineeship.
- CAPA (France) – A final qualification exam after completing 18 months at a bar school.
3. Additional Licensing and Bar Association Registration
Once training is complete, lawyers must register with a bar association or law society to practise.
- In most European countries, registration with the national bar association is mandatory.
- In the US, lawyers must be admitted to the state bar where they wish to work.
- In Australia, lawyers must apply for a practising certificate in their state or territory.
How long does it take to become a lawyer?
The total time to become a lawyer depends on the country. Some countries allow faster routes if you take an intensive program or skip optional postgraduate degrees.How to Become a Lawyer in Different Countries
| Country | Undergraduate Degree | Postgraduate Law Degree | Practical Training | Bar Exam or Licensing Exam | Total Time Required |
| United States | 4 years (any subject) | 3 years (JD) | None (except clerkships) | State Bar Exam | 7 years |
| United Kingdom | 3 years (LLB) | 1 year (GDL, if non-law degree) | 1-2 years (SQE for solicitors, pupillage for barristers) | SQE for solicitors, Bar exam for barristers | 5-6 years |
| Canada | 4 years (any subject) | 3 years (JD) | 9-12 months (articling or LPP) | Provincial Bar exam | 6-7 years |
| Australia | 3-4 years (LLB) | 3 years (JD, if non-law degree) | 6-12 months (PLT) | State Bar exam | 5-6 years |
| Germany | 4-5 years (law degree) | Not required | 2 years (Rechtsreferendariat) | First & Second State Exam | 7-8 years |
| France | 3-4 years (law degree) | 1-2 years (Master’s in Law) | 18 months (bar school + internship) | CRFPA & CAPA | 6-7 years |
| Italy | 5 years (law degree) | Not required | 18 months (practical training) | Esame di Stato | 6-7 years |
| Spain | 5 years (law degree) | Not required | 1-2 years (practical training) | Bar exam | 6-7 years |
| India | 5 years (BA LLB) or 3 years (LLB after BA) | Not required | 1 year (internship after degree) | AIBE | 6 years |
| China | 4 years (law degree) | Not required | 1-year internship | National Judicial Exam | 5-6 years |
| Brazil | 5 years (law degree) | Not required | 1-year internship | OAB exam | 6 years |
How to become a lawyer in most popular countries
The process of becoming a lawyer varies around the world. While all legal systems require education, practical training, and a licensing exam, the exact steps differ by country. Below is an overview of qualifying as a lawyer in some of the most popular regions.
Becoming a lawyer in the United States
In the U.S., law is a postgraduate degree, meaning you must complete a bachelor's degree before attending law school. The process includes:
- Earn a bachelor’s degree – You can study any subject, but many students choose political science, business, or criminal justice.
- Take the LSAT (Law School Admission Test) – A standardised test required for law school applications.
- Complete a Juris Doctor (JD) degree – Law school takes three years and covers legal theory, research, and case law.
- Pass the bar exam – Each state has its bar exam, which must be passed to practise law in that state.
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Becoming a lawyer in the United Kingdom
In the UK, you can study law as an undergraduate degree (LLB) or take a conversion course if you studied another subject first. The path depends on whether you want to become a solicitor or barrister:
- Get a law degree (LLB) or take a law conversion course (GDL/PGDL) – A conversion course is required if your first degree is not in law.
- Choose your legal career path –
- Solicitors (legal advisors, contract law, business law) must pass the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE).
- Barristers (courtroom lawyers) must complete a bar course (BTC/BPC) and a pupilage (one year of training under an experienced barrister).
Becoming a lawyer in Canada
To become a lawyer in Canada, you must follow these steps:
- Earn a JD or LLB – Law school takes three years, and you must attend a university recognised by the Federation of Law Societies of Canada.
- Complete articling or a law practice program – This is a 9–12-month internship under a qualified lawyer.
- Pass the bar exam – Each province has its own bar exam, so you must pass the one for the province where you want to work.
Becoming a lawyer in Australia
In Australia, law degrees can be earned at the undergraduate or postgraduate level. The steps include:
- Get a law degree (LLB or JD) – The LLB is an undergraduate degree, while the JD is a postgraduate option for non-law graduates.
- Complete practical legal training (PLT) or a supervised internship – This usually takes six months to a year and involves hands-on experience.
- Apply for admission to the legal profession – You must register with the state law society where you want to practise.
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Becoming a lawyer in Europe
If you plan to study in Europe, legal education systems differ widely, but most countries require:
- Earning a law degree:
- In Germany, law students take the First State Exam after university.
- In France, students complete an LLB or Master’s in Law before applying to bar school (ÉFB).
- In Italy and Spain, students earn a law degree and then must complete a professional training period.
- Completing mandatory traineeship or bar training:
- Germany: Rechtsreferendariat (2-year legal traineeship), followed by the Second State Exam.
- France: 18 months of training at a bar school, then passing the CAPA exam.
- Scandinavian countries: Law graduates complete internships under a licensed lawyer.
- Passing the bar exam or state certification test – After practical training, you must pass a bar exam or state licensing test to practise independently.
Final Thoughts
No matter where you plan to practise law, the journey involves a law degree, practical training, and a final qualification exam. Each country has its own legal system and requirements, so it's important to check with the local bar association or law society for the exact steps needed in your region.
Additional resources
- WhyStudy a Law Degree
- What Are the Best Law Schools in Europe
- How to Become a Lawyer by Studying an Affordable Online Degree
FAQs About Becoming a Lawyer
Can you be a lawyer without going to law school?
In most countries, law school or a formal law degree is required to become a lawyer. However, a few exceptions exist:
- United States – In some states (California, Virginia, Vermont, Washington), you can become a lawyer through an apprenticeship program known as "reading the law," where you train under a practising lawyer instead of attending law school. However, this path is rare, and bar passage rates are much lower than for law school graduates.
- United Kingdom – If you don’t have a law degree, you can take a law conversion course (GDL/PGDL) before moving on to professional training.
Which country is the easiest country for becoming a lawyer in?
The "easiest" country depends on education length, training requirements, and bar exam difficulty. Generally, countries with shorter education and fewer post-degree requirements make the process easier. Examples include:
- United Kingdom – You can become a solicitor in about 5–6 years through the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) without a required traineeship.
- Canada – The articling process can be long, but the educational structure (JD or LLB + bar exam) is clear and streamlined.If you want an easier route, look for countries with fewer post-degree requirements and shorter training periods.
How hard is it to become a lawyer?
Becoming a lawyer is a difficult and demanding process. In most countries, it takes 5 to 7 years to qualify. Gaining admission to top law schools is highly competitive. Once you graduate, the bar exam is another major challenge, with high failure rates—some US states see pass rates below 50%.
When should I start preparing to become a lawyer?
It's never too early to start preparing for a legal career. In high school, focus on developing strong reading, writing, and analytical skills, as these are essential for law studies. Some countries, such as the UK, India, and Australia, allow you to begin law school immediately after high school. If you're in a country where law is a postgraduate degree—like the US, Canada, or Germany—choose an undergraduate major that strengthens your reasoning and communication skills.
