James Cook University

James Cook University (JCU) is creating a brighter future for life in the Tropics.

Ranked in the top 2 percent of universities in the world (2023 THE World University Rankings and 2022 Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities as a percentage of higher education providers in the IAU), JCU provides career-focused courses and leading research excellence to develop graduates with the knowledge, skills and experience to thrive in a global workforce.

Since offering its first courses in Townsville in 1961, the university has grown to become a research-intensive university with more than 20,000 students from 111 countries, and 4,116 staff. Located in the Northern Queensland cities of Cairns and Townsville, and with metropolitan campus in Singapore and Brisbane, JCU offers state-of-the-art facilities and outstanding student support.

JCU students and researchers have opportunities to work and learn in spectacular locations, including the Australian Outback and the UNESCO World-Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics rainforest.

JCU produces research of excellence and high impact, particularly on issues of importance to the Tropics. JCU is rated as world-class or better in 38 areas of research¹, including No.40 in the world for ecology², and in the top 100 in the world for mining and mineral engineering³.

JCU's research centres, including the Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, and the Cairns Institute, conduct internationally recognised research in fields including ecology and environment, plant and animal science, geosciences, coral reef science, tropical health and medicine, and tourism.

• ¹ Excellence in Research Australia 2018
• ² 2023 US News Best Global Universities Rankings
• ³ 2023 QS World University Rankings

World-class facilities

With an excellent global reputation, as well as impressive, world-class facilities and committed academic staff, students can be certain that pursuing their education at James Cook University will offer a new direction, or the ideal start to their careers.

Courses designed for success

The university's career-focused courses are developed to give students the kind of education which employers rate highly. Students will receive practical and hands-on training, as well as learn from real-life scenarios which take them beyond the university's campuses.

Leader in research excellence

JCU is known for its research excellence and impact on issues such as those that are of importance to the tropics. JCU is rated world-class in 38 research areas (Excellence in Research Australia 2018). Its research centres, including the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, the Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, and the Cairns Institute, perform research that is internationally recognised in fields such as plant and animal science, ecology and environment, coral reef science, geosciences, tropical health and medicine, and tourism.

Excellence in student support

JCU was awarded five stars for student support (Good Universities Guide) and offers a range of support services. Experienced and dedicated staff assist international students prior to arrival, during orientation, and throughout their time at JCU.

Opportunities for practical experience

The university's courses are developed to provide students with several opportunities for practical experience.

Advantages and opportunities

Students get the chance to complete part of their Australian degree at one of the 60 plus partner universities of JCU, in more than 20 countries.

International students, for whom English is not a first language, are required to demonstrate their proficiency in English by undertaking an English language test including TOEFL, Academic IELTS, or Pearson (PTE Academic). The university may also accept other English language tests.

Many students who cannot meet the necessary English language entry requirements, but satisfy the academic entry requirements to pursue JCU degrees, receive a ‘packaged offer' comprised of a duration of academic English language studies, as well as an offer into a course at the university.

Scholarships and funding

International students at JCU are offered various scholarships and grants. This includes the research scholarships which are awarded to those students who commence their research degrees at master's or doctoral levels.

JCU is dedicated to research that has an impact on life in the tropics. To realise this outcome, JCU has invested significantly in facilities and structures to support research and development activity. These initiatives are leveraged, wherever possible, to acquire additional external investment, as well as facility development with the best value outcomes.

The university's researchers explore different ways to enhance the health of remote and regional communities, increase the management and knowledge of critical ecosystems, as well as discover various ways to build compassionate communities and cities.

JCU research hubs and campuses are located close to several of the most spectacular environments in the world. This includes the rainforests of the Wet Tropics, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, and the savannahs of Cape York Peninsula. These living laboratories offer both staff and students of JCU with unique opportunities for research, teaching and learning.

Many local, national and global research organisations as well as industry groups partner with JCU. These connections help to ensure that the courses offered at the university are research-rich and reflect the latest innovations. Most of the university's staff and students are located jointly with researchers from partner institutions.

JCU is a multi-campus university with campuses in the tropical cities of Cairns and Townsville in Australia, a campus in Singapore, and smaller branch campuses in a number if Australian cities and regional centres, including Brisbane.

Cairns Campus

Approximately 3,000 students (10 per cent international) study at JCU Cairns.

Cairns is a tropical, clean, modern and safe city with a relaxed atmosphere, enjoying close proximity to the World Heritage listed rainforests and the Great Barrier Reef.

JCU Cairns offers modern teaching and research facilities, including an impressive information technology building, library, science laboratories, cafes, and student refectory.

The AUD 30 million Cairns Ideas Lab opened in 2020 and is home to JCU's innovative ‘Internet of Things' discipline. It aims to nurture young graduates and a new generation of students by engaging with industry through work-integrated learning. The new John Grey Hall of Residence student accommodation complex is on campus.

Townsville Campus

Around 13,000 students (13 per cent international) study at JCU Townsville.

Townsville is northern Australia's largest city and among Australia's fastest-growing regional centres, enjoying a diverse and strong economic base.

JCU Townsville houses various teaching and research facilities, cafes and fitness facilities, the main JCU library, and many student societies and clubs. Nearly 1,400 students live on-campus, offering a true community atmosphere.

JCU Singapore

JCU Singapore was established in 2003, as JCU's first international campus with 3,700 students. It offers superb facilities, collaborative study spaces, and world-renowned lecturers to ensure students have every opportunity for success. Singapore is a frontrunner in world health, technology and economic development and students here benefit from the city's rich multicultural community.

JCU's courses are designed to help students succeed in the global workforce and will prepare them for a career with adventure, skills and impact.

A JCU qualification will equip students with the expert knowledge and job-ready skills needed to stand out in their chosen career path.

JCU is ranked #1 in Queensland for full-time employment¹ and #2 in Australia for Median Salary for postgraduate and international student graduates².

The JCU careers and employment service has offices situated at both the Cairns and Townsville campuses. It provides career advice for both students and graduates, career planning workshops and job application advice, career information libraries, as well as an online job database known as the CareerHub. The service also arranges an annual career's fair which brings major employers, as well as industries, to the Cairns and Townsville campuses.

• ¹ The Good Universities Guide 2023
• ² The Good Universities Guide 2023

JCU to open AUD 93.5M Engineering and Innovation Place in Townsville Campus

The new four-storey 9,400m² Engineering and Innovation Place is the centrepiece of JCU's new innovation hub where undergraduate and postgraduate engineering and IT students, industry partners and researchers can converge and collaborate.

The building has been designed to meet LEED Gold Environmental and Sustainability Standards and has registered to target a WELL rating. Modern, spacious and inspiring learning spaces, along with the latest technology, will make it the newest addition to JCU's world-class campus offering.

James Cook University prides itself on continually innovating and growing, not only in the depth of its teaching and research, community and student lifestyle, but in the facilities and technology that make it a world-class place to study.

Watch a flythrough and get a feel for the new facilities on offer.