SCHOLARSHIPS

One of the key programmes supported by the UQLA is a scholarship programme for financially disadvantaged students.

There is a real need for these scholarships.  The Law School attracts its undergraduates from a broad range of communities across the State.   Many of these students do not have the financial means to support their study, particularly if living away from home.   Even with government support and earnings from part-time work, many students still struggle to meet even modest costs of living.  The funding gap that needs to be bridged is often quite modest - $3000-5000 per annum.

To support these students, the UQLA has being working closely with the Law School to develop an effective scholarship programme for students in financial need.

The key features of the UQLA Scholarships are that:

  • each scholarship has been established, in perpetuity, through a capital endowment of $100,000.  These funds have been primarily contributed by the donations of UQLA members, with substantial support from the University.

  • these endowment funds are held and invested by the University, with a view to generating a base scholarship payment of $3000-5000 annually.   These payments are augmented, where necessary, by further funds donated by the UQLA and its members.

  • each scholarship is named in honour of a member of the Law School community who has made a significant contribution to the Law School or the wider community.

  • the scholarships are only available for domestic undergraduate law students and are only awarded for one year at a time.

  • the key criterion is financial need, although consideration is also given to each student’s academic, leadership, cultural, sporting or community service achievements.

  • each scholarship is awarded after a careful process of assessment and interview, by a panel comprising experienced academic staff of the Law School and a representative of the UQLA.

Since the UQLA Scholarship programme was established, 21 of these scholarships have been established. 

The scholarships currently comprise:

  • Brennan Scholarship – named in honour of the Law School’s second Justice of the High Court of Australia, who then served as Chief Justice of the High Court, Sir Gerard Brennan AC KBE QC (1928-2022).

  • Bryce Scholarship – named in honour of an early female graduate and member of the academic staff of the Law School, who served as Governor of Queensland and Governor-General of Australia, Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO.

  • Callinan Scholarship – named in honour of the Law School’s third Justice of the High Court, the Hon Ian Callinan AC KC.

  • Campbell Scholarship – named in honour of the former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Queensland, Chancellor of the University and Governor of Queensland, Sir Walter Campbell AC QC (1921-2004).

  • Davis Scholarship – named in honour of one of the Law School’s most notable indigenous graduates, Professor Megan Davis AC.

  • de Jersey Scholarship – named in honour of the former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Queensland and Governor of Queensland, the Hon Paul de Jersey AC KC.

  • Derrington Scholarship – named in honour of three judicial members of a notable legal family with close links to the Law School, comprising former Judge of the Supreme Court of Queensland, the Hon Des Derrington KC, Justice Roger Derrington of the Federal Court of Australia, and Justice Sarah Derrington of the Federal Court of Australia, who was also a former Dean of the Law School and Professor of Law.

  • Gibbs Scholarship – named in honour of the Law School’s first Justice of the High Court of Australia, who later served as Chief Justice of the High Court, the Right Honourable Sir Harry Gibbs AC GCMG KBE PC QC (1917-2005).

  • Holmes Scholarship – named in honour of the first female Chief Justice of Queensland, the Honourable Catherine Holmes AC SC.

  • Keane Scholarship – named in honour of the Law School’s fourth Justice of the High Court of Australia, the Hon Patrick Keane AC KC.

  • Kiefel Scholarship – named in honour of the first female Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia, the Hon Susan Kiefel AC KC.

  • Macrossan/Fraser Scholarship – named in honour of four judicial members of a notable legal family with close links to the Law School, comprising three former Chief Justices of Queensland, the Hon Hugh Macrossan (1881-1940), the Hon Neal Macrossan (1889-1955), and the Hon John Macrossan AC QC (1930-2008), together with former Judge of Appeal of the Supreme Court of Queensland, Hon Hugh Fraser KC.

  • McMurdo Scholarship – named in honour of the first female President of the Queensland Court of Appeal, the Hon Margaret McMurdo AC.

  • Muir Scholarship – which was established by the family of the Hon John Muir QC, a former Judge of Appeal of the Supreme Court of Queensland and one of the State’s most respected commercial judges.

  • Pincus Scholarship – named in honour of the Hon CW (Bill) Pincus, an inaugural Judge of Appeal of the Supreme Court of Queensland (1935-2014).

  • Prentice Scholarship – named in honour of the Law School’s first graduate, Una Prentice (nee Bick).

  • Ryan Scholarship – named in honour of the former Dean of the Law School and Professor of Law, and later Judge of the Supreme Court of Queensland, the Hon Kevin Ryan CBE QC (1925-2009).

  • Sofronoff Scholarship – named in honour of the former President of the Queensland Court of Appeal, the Hon Walter Sofronoff KC.

  • Story Scholarship – named in honour of a leading corporate lawyer and former Chancellor of the University, Dr John Story AO.

  • White Scholarship – named in honour of two members of a family who have served on the academic staff of the Law School, former Judge of Appeal of the Supreme Court of Queensland, the Hon Margaret White AO, and the author of TC Beirne School of Law – A History, Dr Michael White OAM KC.

  • Williams Scholarship – named in honour of a former Judge of Appeal of the Supreme Court of Queensland, who served as the first President of the UQ Law Graduates Association, the Hon Glen Williams AO.

Information about how to contribute to the UQLA Scholarship Fund is available on the UQ website here.