How to get into the University of Melbourne’s Law School

Excerpt

Applying to universities can be a lengthy process, especially for competitive programs like Law at prestigious institutions such as the University of Melbourne in Australia. The process can be even more daunting for international students. Not to worry, as our team at Icon Education is here to assist and guide you through this complex journey.

What does the University of Melbourne’s Law Department look for?

The University of Melbourne is a popular school amongst applicants to pursue Law at the Graduate Level, offering the Melbourne Juris Doctor (JD) and the Melbourne Law Masters (MLM) degree programmes. Students under the MLM programme can pursue a Masters of Laws (LLM) degree, Graduate Diplomas in Laws and even specialist certifications. Do note that while they do not offer Undergraduate Law degrees, they offer breadth subjects for non-law students to gain exposure to the legal field.

Do take note that the JD is a graduate law degree, open to those with undergraduate law degrees, or undergraduate degree holders in disciplines outside of law. Programmes under the MLM programme can only be pursued by law graduates holding a LLB, JD or equivalent.

While cut-off scores are not published and will only be made known after the application due date, applicants who have been accepted into the JD programme typically have competitive GPAs (e.g. minimum of a high second upper division for their undergraduate degree), and scoring 80% (or its equivalent) and above for the average mark of their studies.

Applicants seeking admission to the MLM programme are also competitive. They must hold degrees in law (LLB, JD or equivalent) leading to admission to practice, with a University of Melbourne equivalent score of minimally 70. This means international applicants must score at least 70% (or its equivalent) and above for the average mark of their studies

Both the JD and MLM programmes require their students to have strong English language proficiency levels. For applicants hailing from a non-English speaking background, they need to provide English proficiency test scores:

Interview

If you are shortlisted for the program, you will likely be invited to participate in a panel interview. This interview serves as an opportunity for the school to assess your overall suitability for the program. During the interview, you can expect to be asked a range of questions designed to evaluate your motivations for pursuing a law degree, your understanding of the legal field and the specific program you have applied for, how well your skills and interests align with the program's requirements and the discipline in general. Additionally, your communication and interpersonal skills will be evaluated to ensure you can effectively articulate your thoughts and engage in legal discourse.

Tips to enhance your application

Given the high level of competition from other highly-qualified applicants, do pay particular attention to the following points to strengthen your application:

1. The University of Melbourne places a strong emphasis on academic performance in their shortlisting process. You should highlight your academic accomplishments, especially any academic awards or distinctions, and emphasise skills relevant to legal studies, such as critical thinking, analytical skills, and strong written communication. Ideally, your application should also include coursework in law, politics, or social sciences, showcasing your academic preparation.
2. Do note that crafting a well-rounded application goes beyond having strong academics alone. Take some time to actively participate in activities that will hone your leadership, critical thinking, and communication skills, such as volunteering, internships, debating, public speaking, or involvement in student council. Additionally,  engaging in activities directly related to law, such as shadowing lawyers or participating in law-related community initiatives, will further demonstrate your commitment to the field and your readiness for the challenges it entails.
3. Reach out to current students and alumni to gain insights into their experiences at the University of Melbourne. This first-hand knowledge and familiarity with the programmes will help you determine if the university closely aligns with your personal and academic aspirations.

While this is not an exhaustive list of admission pointers, we hope that these help with structuring your Law application. Feel free to reach out to our team here at Icon Education for more targeted help and tailored advice. We wish you all the best!

Additional resources

https://www.icon-plus.com/articles/panel-with-four-lawyers

https://youtu.be/yQldhdsmWHU?si=o_2v7PHHFyuECewR

https://www.icon-plus.com/articles/taking-care-of-yourself-in-your-law-school-application-journey