Is it best to pursue my LLB degree outside of South Africa? Any opinions on this?

**Leigh14** · 14-Sep-22, 11:58 AM

Hi everyone. I would like some help and opinions on an educational dillemma I am facing.

I am currently in my first-year studying a B.A Law at the University of the Witwatersrand, and am planning to study my LLB degree after my current one, then later, my Masters degree. However, I have always wanted to move to Europe, and am now faced with the following dilemma:

Option 1: Apply to a European University next year (2023) and start my first year of an LLB degree in 2024. If I take this route, I will be 21 years at the beginning of first year, and 23 by the time I complete my LLB. By the time I finish my Masters I would be 24.

Option 2: Finish my BA Law and LLB degree in South Africa at the age of 24 (it will take me 5 years because I did a whole year of a General BA degree prior), then do my Masters degree at age 25.

Note: All of the above options exclude my articles and additional training.

So, I am concerned that a lot of my South African peers who did their LLB for only 3 years would be working at around 21-23 years and I'm only still studying. Which option above would you guys go for if you were in my situation?

Thanks,
Leigh

**GCE** · 14-Sep-22, 02:09 PM

Do what works for you and ignore what age everybody else starts earning
In the bigger scheme of things 2 or 3 years of loss of earnings vs 35 to 40 years of earnings is insignificant , so long term it does not make a difference and your earning potential will be higher thereby bypassing others that started 2 or 3 years early .

Look at the bigger picture , do what works for you and do what makes you happy - Money comes later and helps but money is not the be all and end all of human existence

**Dave A** · 14-Sep-22, 02:39 PM

You are truly fortunate - Both options are wonderful.
Don't beat yourself up on things that don't matter - Do what gets you where you want to be in 5 to 10 years time.