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Tshimologo
Student
Moruleng, NW
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How many years do you go to college?
How many years do you go to college
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5 answers
Dr H
Dr. H's Research
1464
Answers
Australia
Updated
Dr’s Answer
Hey Tshimologo,
Alright, let’s break this down like we’re plotting a movie marathon without running ofcourse – so instead, it’s your journey through college! 😉 I am just going to share with you a slight of advice!
1. Doctor Degree (Medical Doctor - MD)
If you wanna be the one people call when they cough weird or break a bone then you are gonna go through:
Time in College: Around 7-9 years total (and maybe a few gray hairs along the way).
Step 1: 4 years – Bachelor’s Degree (usually in Biology, Chemistry, or something science-y).
Step 2: 4 years – Medical School (where the real grind starts—anatomy, clinical rotations, and endless coffee).
Step 3: Residency – 3-7 years (depending on your specialty, like brain surgeon vs. family doc).
So, you’re looking at at least 11+ years if you want to be a full-fledged doctor. Long, but you’ll be saving lives and looking fancy in that white coat.
And if you are going full then,
8+ years of school, plus residency (total = 11-15 years) depending on your region and university because some countries have a 6years to 7years and 2 years specialty just check with the instituts you are gonna be applying for.
2. Teacher Degree (Education)
Alright now if you want to shape young minds and rock a lanyard then here’s the path:
Time in College: 4 years for a standard Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.).
If you want to teach high school, you might major in a subject (like Math or History) and then add a teaching qualification.
Some countries or regions require a 1-2 year teacher training program after your degree, but in many places, the 4-year route is enough.
If you want to go super fancy and become a school principal or professor, you might add a Master’s (1-2 years) or a PhD (3-5 years)—but that’s optional!
3. General Bachelor’s Degree (So, if you are unsure what you want)
I mean if you are feeling like a buffet of options and can’t decide just, No stress—there’s a General Bachelor’s Degree route which almost eveyr degree route takes.
Time in College: 3-4 years for most general degrees (like Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BSc)).
These programs let you explore a bit of everything – psychology one semester, marketing the next, maybe even underwater basket weaving (if that’s a thing).
Now if you’re unsure, a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science with a broad focus (like Communications, Liberal Arts, or General Science) lets you dip your toes in different subjects before committing. You can always specialize later!
Its like doing years of academic window-shopping until you find your passion. 😉👏
All the best Tshimologo if you need anything else just shott out, or actually send another question click away! 🤗
Alright, let’s break this down like we’re plotting a movie marathon without running ofcourse – so instead, it’s your journey through college! 😉 I am just going to share with you a slight of advice!
1. Doctor Degree (Medical Doctor - MD)
If you wanna be the one people call when they cough weird or break a bone then you are gonna go through:
Time in College: Around 7-9 years total (and maybe a few gray hairs along the way).
Step 1: 4 years – Bachelor’s Degree (usually in Biology, Chemistry, or something science-y).
Step 2: 4 years – Medical School (where the real grind starts—anatomy, clinical rotations, and endless coffee).
Step 3: Residency – 3-7 years (depending on your specialty, like brain surgeon vs. family doc).
So, you’re looking at at least 11+ years if you want to be a full-fledged doctor. Long, but you’ll be saving lives and looking fancy in that white coat.
And if you are going full then,
8+ years of school, plus residency (total = 11-15 years) depending on your region and university because some countries have a 6years to 7years and 2 years specialty just check with the instituts you are gonna be applying for.
2. Teacher Degree (Education)
Alright now if you want to shape young minds and rock a lanyard then here’s the path:
Time in College: 4 years for a standard Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.).
If you want to teach high school, you might major in a subject (like Math or History) and then add a teaching qualification.
Some countries or regions require a 1-2 year teacher training program after your degree, but in many places, the 4-year route is enough.
If you want to go super fancy and become a school principal or professor, you might add a Master’s (1-2 years) or a PhD (3-5 years)—but that’s optional!
3. General Bachelor’s Degree (So, if you are unsure what you want)
I mean if you are feeling like a buffet of options and can’t decide just, No stress—there’s a General Bachelor’s Degree route which almost eveyr degree route takes.
Time in College: 3-4 years for most general degrees (like Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BSc)).
These programs let you explore a bit of everything – psychology one semester, marketing the next, maybe even underwater basket weaving (if that’s a thing).
Now if you’re unsure, a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science with a broad focus (like Communications, Liberal Arts, or General Science) lets you dip your toes in different subjects before committing. You can always specialize later!
Its like doing years of academic window-shopping until you find your passion. 😉👏
All the best Tshimologo if you need anything else just shott out, or actually send another question click away! 🤗
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach
1093
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Tshimologo,
It depends what you want to study (subject) and what degree you want to get (diploma, bachelors, honors, masters, PhD).
In South Africa, if you study a science, you typically study for 3 years for a bachelors. If you are good, you can add another year for your BSc Honors.
If you study engineering, the program is 4 years. If you study medicine, it takes 6 years.
If you want to go further, you can study for your masters which adds another 1 to 2 years. After that you can do your PhD, the highest degree, which takes 3 to 5 years.
There are also postgraduate diplomas that you can do after you graduate with your bachelors. That's for people who want to change their direction or add a specialty. For example, you can do a postgraduate course in education if you discover you'd rather use your degree to be a teacher than a scientist.
I hope this helps! Good luck!
KP
It depends what you want to study (subject) and what degree you want to get (diploma, bachelors, honors, masters, PhD).
In South Africa, if you study a science, you typically study for 3 years for a bachelors. If you are good, you can add another year for your BSc Honors.
If you study engineering, the program is 4 years. If you study medicine, it takes 6 years.
If you want to go further, you can study for your masters which adds another 1 to 2 years. After that you can do your PhD, the highest degree, which takes 3 to 5 years.
There are also postgraduate diplomas that you can do after you graduate with your bachelors. That's for people who want to change their direction or add a specialty. For example, you can do a postgraduate course in education if you discover you'd rather use your degree to be a teacher than a scientist.
I hope this helps! Good luck!
KP
Claxton Graham
Business Analyst
24
Answers
Charlotte, North Carolina
Updated
Claxton’s Answer
Hi, Tshimologo. How long a person goes to college depends on what they plan to study and what career they plan to pursue.
In the United States, a student at a major college or university will complete their undergraduate studies in four years. However, it is not uncommon for students to take longer to earn their bachelor's degrees due to several factors, including reduced course loads to accommodate work to finance the education, illness, change of major, or change of school. For many people, the bachelor's degree is the only degree they earn, although a lot of people may also return to school later in life to earn a master's degree and possibly a doctorate. Others may go back to school to take courses for their own personal enrichment or to aid in personal development, without seeking to earn a degree. People who want to go into fields such as medicine, law, or teaching, which require additional degrees, may spend anywhere from two to eight years in total earning those degrees.
My personal experience involved spending five and a half years working on my bachelor's degree, as I missed time in school due to illness and a change of major. Since earning that degree, though, I've taken a number of other courses at other major schools and a couple community colleges for my own personal enrichment. I've also taken professional certification courses on mail design and analysis through the US Postal Service.
No matter how long it takes you, the important thing about college is enjoying the experience while earning your degree.
In the United States, a student at a major college or university will complete their undergraduate studies in four years. However, it is not uncommon for students to take longer to earn their bachelor's degrees due to several factors, including reduced course loads to accommodate work to finance the education, illness, change of major, or change of school. For many people, the bachelor's degree is the only degree they earn, although a lot of people may also return to school later in life to earn a master's degree and possibly a doctorate. Others may go back to school to take courses for their own personal enrichment or to aid in personal development, without seeking to earn a degree. People who want to go into fields such as medicine, law, or teaching, which require additional degrees, may spend anywhere from two to eight years in total earning those degrees.
My personal experience involved spending five and a half years working on my bachelor's degree, as I missed time in school due to illness and a change of major. Since earning that degree, though, I've taken a number of other courses at other major schools and a couple community colleges for my own personal enrichment. I've also taken professional certification courses on mail design and analysis through the US Postal Service.
No matter how long it takes you, the important thing about college is enjoying the experience while earning your degree.
Thomas O'Shea
Music Producer, Composer, Live Sound Engineer, Musician
146
Answers
Madison, Wisconsin
Updated
Thomas’s Answer
How ever many years you need. Traditionally, people go to undergrad for 4 years, masters for 2 and 6 (or a little more) for a doctorate. I know people who started college, didn't like it and left, then came back. Personally, I went to college for 4.5 years because I was working on a double major, a certificate, and was working to graduate with honors.
I would say don't worry about how long you're in school. Worry about the experience you have, the people you meet, and what you'll take from that experience for the rest of your life and career.
I would say don't worry about how long you're in school. Worry about the experience you have, the people you meet, and what you'll take from that experience for the rest of your life and career.
Samuel McGee III
High School Art/Video Instructor
8
Answers
Brown Deer, WI
Updated
Samuel’s Answer
In the USA typically 4-6 years, if you are paying for your college. If you are receiving grants and scholarships 4 for your undergrad degree.