Melbourne law student wins scholarship

23 November 2015

University of Melbourne student Matthew Pierri has been awarded the 2016 Victorian Rhodes Scholarship for postgraduate study at the University of Oxford.
Mr Pierri completed a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Media and Communications and Chinese Language at the University of Melbourne with First Class Honours and is due to complete a Juris Doctor degree at the Melbourne Law School this year. He hopes to study a Master of Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford.

University of Melbourne Law School
Matthew Pierri just after the Rhodes Scholarship announcement. (Photo by Louise Bennet via University of Melbourne)

Mr Pierri said he was thrilled to receive the scholarship, which will allow him to further his ambition to achieve social change at a systemic level.
“Over the last few years, I have advocated to change the perception and treatment of people with spinal cord injuries and I strongly believe that progressive and practical public policy is needed to address increasingly complex and multi-faceted social problems,” he said.
“By encouraging a positive, open-minded approach to disability, I believe we can remove the common, conservative misconceptions of the achievable quality of life for those living with disabilities and permit people to reach their full potential.
“At Oxford, I hope to gain the interdisciplinary problem-solving and policy implementation tools to become a leading strategic thinker within the public sector.”
Congratulating Mr Pierri on his achievement, Honorary Secretary of the Victorian Rhodes Scholarship Selection Committee Professor Carolyn Evans, from Melbourne Law School at the University of Melbourne, said all the applicants demonstrated exceptional intellect, character, leadership, and commitment to service.
“The selection committee has been extremely impressed by all the applicants for this year’s Victorian Rhodes Scholarship, they have significant accomplishments and their commitment to making a difference both in Australia and internationally is exceptional,” she said.
“Matthew has demonstrated great intellectual ability and strong leadership skills while overcoming substantial personal challenges. His passion for social change and intellectual challenge ensure that he will make the most of the opportunities offered to him by the Rhodes Scholarship.”

University of Melbourne Law School Juris Doctor program

Program: Juris Doctor (JD)
Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Semester intake: February
Duration: 3 years (standard course structure); 2 or 2.5 years (accelerated course structure)
Application Deadline: Melbourne Law School has a general application deadline of November 30 each year. It is recommended that you apply as early as possible.
Entry Requirements
Melbourne JD applicants must have

  • completed an undergraduate degree in any discipline; and
  • completed the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT).

Apply to Melbourne Law School!

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Discover more about the Melbourne JD program! Email OzTREKK’s Australian Law Schools Admissions Officer Shannon Tilston for more information at shannon@oztrekk.com.

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