James Cook University

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

Ranked in the top 2 percent of universities in the world (2024 ShanghaiRanking Academic Ranking of World Universities as a percentage of higher education providers in the International Association of Universities (IAU) database), JCU provides career-focused courses and leading research excellence. Since 1961 JCU has grown into a research-intensive university with more than 20,000 students from 111 countries, and 4,116 staff. With campuses in Townsville, Cairns, Brisbane, Singapore, and branch campuses across Australia, JCU offers modern facilities and strong 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 is globally recognized for research excellence, with 38 areas of research rated "world-class" or better (Excellence in Research for Australia 2018). These strengths are particularly evident in areas relevant to the Tropics, as reflected in recent global subject rankings.

JCU is ranked No. 5 in the world and No. 1 in Australia for Ecology by the ShanghaiRanking Global Ranking of Academic Subjects for 2024. The university is ranked No. 4 globally for Marine and Freshwater Biology (2024 US News Best Global Universities Rankings), top 100 for Mining and Mineral Engineering, and top 150 worldwide for both Nursing, and Hospitality and Tourism Management (2024 Shanghai Global Ranking of Academic Subjects).

JCU's research centres, including the Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, TropWATER, and the Cairns Institute, conduct internationally recognised research in areas like ecology and environment, plant and animal science, geosciences, coral reef science, tropical health and medicine, and tourism.

World-class facilities

JCU provides students with world-class facilities to support learning, innovation, and practical experience. From the Engineering and Innovation Place and Science Place to the Ideas Lab, students can apply their knowledge, explore new ideas, and prepare for successful 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 Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, TropWATER 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 (2026 Good Universities Guide, PG study area) 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.

JCU also provides peer-to-peer support, giving prospective students the opportunity to speak with current international students. Students can connect via chat or in person during campus tours to ask questions about programs, life in Australia, and studying at JCU.

Global learning 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 applicants to JCU must meet both academic and English language entry requirements. Students whose first language is not English need to demonstrate proficiency through accepted English language tests, such as Academic IELTS, TOEFL iBT, or Pearson PTE Academic. Other tests or evidence of prior study in English may also be considered.

Academic entry requirements depend on the student's country of previous study and the specific course applied for.

Scholarships and funding

International students at JCU have access to a range of scholarships and funding options. This includes the JCU International Excellence Scholarship, awarded to high-achieving international students commencing eligible undergraduate or postgraduate coursework programs. This scholarship is based on academic merit and provides a significant reduction in tuition fees.

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 of Australian cities and regional centres, including Brisbane.

Cairns Campus

Approximately 3,000 students (16 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 John Grey Hall of Residence student accommodation complex is on campus.

Townsville Campus

Around 13,000 students (16 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.

Singapore Campus

James Cook University (Singapore Campus) 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 employment (2026 Good Universities Guide, UG study area), and #1 in Australia for median graduate salary in international undergraduate studies by Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) Graduate Outcomes Survey for 2020-2022.

JCU Careers and Employability services offer comprehensive career support to both current students and recent graduates, including personalised career advice, job search and application guidance, and interview preparation assistance. Through the online platform JCU CareerHub, students and graduates have access to exclusive job listings, career resources, and can book career consultations and register for workshops and events. The careers and employability service regularly coordinates career planning workshops, job application seminars, and networking opportunities, including annual careers fairs that connect students with major employers and industry representatives.

JCU's nursing program in Cairns to move to new facility

In 2026, JCU's Bachelor of Nursing Science in Cairns will relocate to the new AUD 68 million Cairns Tropical Enterprise Centre (CTEC) in the Cairns CBD. Located next to Cairns Hospital's new surgical centre within the Far North Queensland Health Innovation Precinct, the move brings students closer to clinical services and placement opportunities. The purpose-built facility supports hands-on learning, clinical immersion and collaboration with healthcare partners, and targets a 5 Star Green Star rating with a mass-timber structure that reduces embodied carbon by 60 per cent. With nursing enrolments estimated to have increased by nearly 30 per cent in 2025 and further growth expected in 2026, the relocation enhances JCU's capacity to support workforce needs and provide modern, flexible learning spaces.

New engineering and IT majors launching in 2026

From Trimester 1, 2026, JCU will expand its Master of Engineering (Professional) and Master of Information Technology programs with new majors. At the Townsville campus, the Master of Engineering (Professional) will introduce majors in Electrical Engineering and Management, Civil Engineering and Sustainable Infrastructure, Civil Engineering and Management, Mechanical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering and Management. These new majors hold provisional accreditation with Engineers Australia, with eligibility for full accreditation once the first cohort graduates. The Water Resource Management major also holds provisional accreditation. The Electrical and Renewable Energy major (Townsville) and the Internet of Things and Data Engineering major (Cairns) hold full Engineers Australia accreditation.

The Master of Information Technology will broaden its offerings across Cairns, Singapore, Brisbane and online, with majors in Software Engineering, Cyber Security, Artificial Intelligence, and Information Technology Management.