5 August 2019

A scholarship program for Australian high school students wanting to pursue a career in law has been extended to allow even more students to apply.

The Leadership, Excellence and Diversity (LEAD) Scholarship will be open to all Australian students – regardless of their school – who are from disadvantaged backgrounds, Indigenous or have overcome significant hurdles during their studies.

UQ Law Head of School and Academic Dean Professor Patrick Parkinson said extending the 17 scholarships to include students from non-government schools demonstrated UQ’s commitment to equity in legal education.

“These important scholarship changes will ensure deserving students who may be attending a private school on a scholarship can also have access to the personalised, supportive and innovative learning experience provided by UQ,” Professor Parkinson said.

“Having a diverse range of perspectives in the classroom can be a transformative experience for our students, and helps them to become more empathetic, inclusive and astute legal professionals.”

Since 2017, UQ has welcomed 26 LEAD scholars – this includes students who are the first in their family to attend university, those who have serious disabilities and students from remote locations such as Biloela and Gin Gin.

The LEAD Scholarship is funded by The University of Queensland Endowment Fund.

Applications for the LEAD Scholarship close 15 November 2019.

Media: Jessica Cruff, media@bel.uq.edu.au, +61 7 3443 1664