The University of Melbourne Law School, established in 1857, is Australia’s oldest and one of its most prestigious law schools. Renowned for its rigorous academic standards and focus on practical legal training, Melbourne Law has a strong tradition of producing graduates who excel in legal practice, academia, and public service. The school is dedicated to cultivating future leaders in law while promoting a commitment to justice and societal impact.
The Melbourne JD is a graduate-level program designed for students who have already completed an undergraduate degree.
This article provides an overview of the JD program, including admissions pathways for high school leavers and graduate applicants.
📌 JD at Melbourne: Key Facts
🏛 Location: Parkville Campus (Melbourne, Victoria)
🇦🇺 Commonwealth supported places (CSP): Available
🗓️ Program duration: 3 years full-time (or 2.5 years accelerated with approval)
🏆 QS 2024 World University Ranking (Law & Legal Studies): 1st (national), 10th (global)
🏆 Times Higher Education 2024 Ranking (Law): 1st (national), 8th (global)
Note: It is important to note that rankings do not directly measure the quality of teaching or a graduate’s prospects as a lawyer. Global rankings take into account a range of factors, such as academic reputation, research output, international collaborations, and employer reputation, which may not fully reflect the practical training or career outcomes specific to law students.
🎓 What Graduate Degree Packages are Offered for Melbourne JD?
While you cannot study Melbourne JD directly after high school, you can still guarantee your place at law school by applying for a graduate degree package. The only requirement to progress to JD is to successfully complete your bachelor degree, and there is no minimum Weighted Average Mark (WAM) requirement. Currently, the following options are available:
- Bachelor of Agriculture + JD
- Bachelor of Arts + JD
- Bachelor of Biomedicine + JD
- Bachelor of Commerce + JD
- Bachelor of Design + JD
- Bachelor of Science + JD
For other applicants, you can study a bachelor’s degree in any discipline, before applying for the JD program.
🏫 For School Leavers
🎯 What ATAR do I Need to Get into Melbourne JD?
For graduate degree packages, the required ATAR is 99.80+. You can also guarantee yourself a place in JD via the Melbourne Chancellor’s Scholarship program, which requires an ATAR of 99.90. An ATAR of 99.00 can get you a fee place guarantee, but this is more expensive than a commonwealth supported place (CSP).
📄 What Other Entry Requirements Do I Need to Meet?
For graduate degree package students and Melbourne Chancellor’s Scholars, the only additional requirement you need to meet is the English language requirement. For fee place guarantee entry, you’ll also need to achieve a 75% WAM for your undergraduate study at the University of Melbourne. There is no standardised entry exam.
🏛 For graduate applicants
🎯 What WAM do I Need to Get into Melbourne JD?
For standard applicants, generally a WAM of 80% is considered competitive. You’ll need a WAM of at least 70% to be considered, unless you are eligible for the Graduate Access Melbourne scheme.
📄 What Other Entry Requirements Do I Need to Meet?
For standard entry applicants, you must have completed a degree other than law, or an overseas law degree. The only additional requirement you need to meet is the English language requirement, and there is no standardised entry exam.
For full details on the entry requirements, including information for international students, refer to the official Melbourne University website.
💻 How Do I apply?
If you are a high school leaver applying for a graduate degree package, you must complete your application through VTAC. All other applicants (Melbourne Chancellor’s Scholar, fee place guarantee pathway, standard pathway) need to apply directly through the University of Melbourne website.
