James Cook University
Student Centre James Cook University TOWNSVILLE QLD 4811 Australia
About
James Cook University creates a brighter future for life in the Tropics and beyond, through education and research that makes a difference locally and globally.
As a JCU student, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge, skills and experience to make a positive impact in urban, regional, rural and remote communities.
Ranked in the top 2% of universities worldwide* we are focused on addressing the critical challenges facing the Tropics. Inspired by a research-rich environment, the significance of our endeavours is recognised globally by the most credible world university rankings providers.
Our strong performance is assessed on quality, relevance and impact.
More than 21,000 students, including 6,600 international students, have chosen JCU for our career-focused courses, engaging student life and caring support services.
Throughout your degree, you’ll develop professional skills and gain in-depth knowledge through a wide range of practical, hands-on learning experiences. Small class sizes provide personal access to lecturers and researchers, ensuring you have all the support you need to succeed.
Study areas
JCU’s comprehensive range of pathway, undergraduate and postgraduate courses include:
• Arts and Creativity
• Business, Law, Finance and Marketing
• Education and Teaching
• Engineering and IT
• Environment and Global Development
• Health, Medicine, and Dentistry
• Science, Marine Biology and Marine Science
• Nursing and Midwifery
• Social Work, Psychology, Humanities and Social Sciences
• Veterinary and Animal Sciences
Ready today for tomorrow
JCU offers a range of flexible study options available across main campuses in Brisbane, Cairns, Singapore and Townsville. Options are also available to study at our campuses in Mackay, Mount Isa and Thursday Island.
JCU Cairns, Nguma-bada campus, Smithfield and JCU Townsville, Bebegu Yumba campus, Douglas offer access to spectacular natural wonders, including the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest and the Outback. You’ll get to dive into hands-on learning, placements and projects in some of the most fascinating locations on Earth. You could travel to remote communities in a light aircraft, learn in our Classroom on the Reef or conduct research in the rainforest with the richest biodiversity in Australia.
With a picturesque river precinct and an array of cultural and entertainment options, Brisbane is regarded as one of the most liveable cities in the world. JCU Brisbane students receive a world-class education in Australia’s fastest growing capital city for employment.
A constantly evolving city, Singapore is at the forefront of global health, technology and economic advancement. JCU Singapore boasts cutting-edge facilities, collaborative learning spaces and internationally renowned lecturers to help you succeed every step of the way.
Why JCU?
A five-star experience
We are independently rated five stars for full-time employment, graduate starting salary, and student-teacher ratio for undergraduate and postgraduate students**. Excel in your studies and future career through the support of academics and staff committed to student success.
This is Uni… but not as you know it
Field trips, clinical placements, practicums, and internships — no matter what you study, JCU provides opportunities to build your job-ready knowledge and skills base. Gain hands-on experience in Outback cattle stations, remote health clinics, the heart of the Daintree Rainforest or the depths of the Great Barrier Reef.
Kickstart your career through study incorporated with real-world practice. JCU prioritises practical experience and our academics maintain strong industry links that provide you with extensive placement opportunities. You’ll gain valuable work experience and build a network of leading industry professionals in your field.
Support to succeed
Explore the range of financial support available to JCU students. Scholarships, bursaries, and grants are offered to assist financially, and we have a variety of options for students starting their first degree at JCU. Find out more at jcu.edu.au/scholarships.
Indigenous Education and Research Centre
The team at the Indigenous Education and Research Centre (IERC) are here to support you from the time you start thinking about studying right through to graduation and beyond. The IERC offers a range of services and facilities in encouraging environments to empower you to achieve success. From academic coaching and free tutoring to informal gatherings and community events, the staff and Indigenous Student Support Advisors at the IERC offer help that you can rely on.
Important dates
Visit the JCU website for information on enrolment and teaching dates, as well as semester and trimester dates and other important academic information.
Visit key dates for more information on important QTAC dates.
Open days
Virtual Open Day
No matter where you live, JCU’s Virtual Open Day is the perfect opportunity to learn more about our study offerings and campuses. Explore available courses and student support services in a relaxed and convenient environment. Receive answers to all your university questions via live chat, with JCU advisors, current students, academics and alumni all on hand to provide detailed information.
You can also discover the ins and outs of student life through virtual presentations on study and take a tour of each campus and its facilities.
Register for the next JCU Virtual Open Day today.
UniX Events
Whether you’re local to Brisbane, Cairns or Townsville, or live further afield, JCU hosts a series of events every year to meet with students like you. Our UniX Events provide you with an opportunity to discuss your career aspirations and study plans, as well as discover how JCU can support you to be ready today for tomorrow. Find out more on our website.
* 2024 Times Higher Education World University Rankings and 2023 Shanghai Ranking Academic Ranking of World Universities as a percentage of higher education providers in the International Association of Universities (IAU) database
** 2024 Good Universities Guide
Admission Criteria
Applicants are required to meet the course entry requirements for direct entry into a course. Entry requirements can include a combination of the following:
- English Language Proficiency
- Subject Pre-requisites
- Entry Score (ATAR /Selection Rank)
- Age requirements
- Course specific entry requirements
Information relating to admissions criteria is available on our course pages and the JCU Admissions Policy.
JCU Guaranteed Admission
JCU guarantees entry to a majority of courses for current year 12 applicants based on the final ATAR result.
Programs excluded from these guarantees are:
- Bachelor of Advanced Science
- Bachelor of Business – Bachelor of Psychological Science
- Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education)
- Bachelor of Education (Primary)
- Bachelor of Education (Secondary)
- Bachelor of Dental Surgery
- Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery
- Bachelor of Physiotherapy
- Bachelor of Psychological Science
- Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours)
- Bachelor of Nursing Science (Pre-Registration)
- Bachelor of Nursing Science – Bachelor of Midwifery
If you finish Year 12 with a Certificate III or a Certificate IV qualification you are guaranteed entry into a number of JCU undergraduate courses. Some courses require additional subject prerequisites are met.
These prerequisites may include subjects such as English, Maths or Science. For more details, click the link for more details about our Guaranteed Admission Plan.
Applicants with previous Higher Education study (Diploma or higher), will be assigned a selection rank determined by the level, duration, and Grade Point Average (GPA) of the study.
Higher education study can grant credit toward a degree course. For more information, visit the JCU Credit Calculator.
JCU recognises many tertiary preparatory, enabling, foundation and bridging programs provided by higher education institutions throughout Australia. This study is assessed based on the GPA and the duration of study.
JCU accepts a number of VET qualifications to meet tertiary access ranks and/or subject prerequisites including completed Certificate III and IV qualifications and complete and incomplete diploma and advanced diploma qualifications.
AQF Certificate III qualifications are typically not accepted to satisfy prerequisites.
A Certificate III or a Certificate IV qualification you are guaranteed entry into a number of JCU undergraduate courses. Some courses require additional subject prerequisites are met.
These prerequisites may include subjects such as English, Maths or Science.
JCU will accept the Certificate III in Education Support to meet the ATAR/rank requirement for all Bachelor of Education courses.
JCU will accept the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care to meet the ATAR/rank requirement for Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education) only.
JCU recognises many admission pathways including employment experience, the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (age restrictions apply), post-secondary professional, and paraprofessional qualifications.
Applicants who have more than one selection rank will generally be considered on the highest of those ranks.
Current Year 12 applicants
Current ATAR-eligible Year 12 students will be considered for entry based on their ATAR and ability to meet the entry requirements including age and subject pre-requisites.
Current ATAR-ineligible Year 12 students, without VET Qualifications, are considered for entry into the Diploma of Higher Education, Tertiary Access Course or a Pathway or Package program.
International Baccalaureate (IB)
JCU accepts the International Baccalaureate (IB) as meeting our course entry requirements. Your final IB Diploma score will then be translated into a QTAC selection rank. Some subjects completed as part of the IB Diploma will meet the subject pre-requisites required for entry into our Undergraduate degrees. Students who have completed particular IB subjects may be eligible for credit.
Overseas Year 12 Study
Students who have completed Year 12 or equivalent study overseas can be considered for admission to JCU. The final results of these studies will be assessed for comparability to Australian Secondary Studies and converted into a QTAC selection rank. Some subjects studied as part of overseas senior secondary education can be eligible to meet the subject pre-requisite entry requirements to our courses.
Privacy
Refer to privacy information on the JCU website.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Indigenous Education and Research Centre provides an environment that inspires you to grow personally, culturally and academically and deliver student support programs and services to assist throughout your studies. For more information, please visit the JCU website.
Inherent Academic Requirements
Inherent requirements are the fundamental abilities, attributes, skills and behaviours necessary to complete the learning outcomes of a course while preserving the academic integrity of JCU’s learning, assessment and accreditation processes.
Current and prospective students must be able to demonstrate that they have acquired or have the ability to acquire the inherent requirements for their degree or course.
Reasonable adjustments may be implemented to assist students to manage additional circumstances which impact on their studies, provided these do not fundamentally change the academic integrity of the degree or course. For further detail visit our JCU Inherent Requirements.
English language proficiency
All applicants must demonstrate English Language Proficiency requirements for the course they are applying for.
Applicants with completed year 12 (more than two years ago)
Year 12 results (OP/ATAR) don’t expire and may be considered, along with further post-secondary studies, when an application is assessed.
Timing of Offers
JCU will make offers to eligible applications throughout the year for most courses. Offers for 2025 will commence in August 2024.
For further information on course availability visit the course webpage.
Offers
QTAC applicants are notified of their JCU offer by email and must accept the offer online by the lapse date. You will find details of how to respond in your offer letter. Once you have accepted your offer you will be able to plan your studies and enrol in subjects.
Deferment
You can defer most courses for up to 12 months at a time. Longer deferment may be considered in special circumstances.
Visit the JCU website for more information.
Credit transfer
If you have studied at another university, TAFE, or a private tertiary education provider in Australia or overseas, you may be able to transfer credit to your current degree.
For information on applying for Credit for Previous Study , visit the JCU website.
Fees and Charges
Your fees could be determined by several factors. For information on fees and financial support, visit the JCU website.
The table below gives an indication of the likely cohort of new students at James Cook University. It provides data on students that commenced undergraduate study and passed the census date for Semester 1, 2024 including those admitted through all offer rounds, across all Australian campuses, as well as international students studying in Australia.
| Applicant Background | Semester 1, 2024 | |
| Number of students | Percentage of all students | |
| (A) Higher Education Study (including a bridging or enabling course) | 493 | 24.44% |
| (B) Vocational Education and Training (VET) Study | 58 | 2.88% |
| (C) Work and Life Experience (admitted on basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories) | 140 | 6.94% |
| (D) Recent Secondary Education: | ||
| Admitted solely on basis of ATAR (regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points) | 529 | 26.23% |
| Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test) | 200 | 9.92% |
| Admitted on basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor (e.g. special consideration, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR scheme) | 399 | 19.78% |
| International Students | 198 | 9.82% |
| All Students | 2017 | 100% |
Notes:
< 5 – The number of students is less than 5.
N/A – Students not accepted in this category.
N/P – Not Published: the number of students is hidden to prevent the calculation of numbers in cells with less than 5 students.
Regional Preference Scheme
This scheme assists residents of regional and remote areas of Queensland to gain entry into JCU through an automatic adjustment of an applicant’s ATAR by two ranks.
The Regional Preference Scheme is open to domestic applicants who reside in regional and remote Queensland (postcodes 4306 through to 4895). The scheme cannot be used for entry to postgraduate degrees, graduate entry programs or courses with special application requirements (including Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, Bachelor of Dental Surgery and Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours)).
Applicants do not apply for this scheme. The bonus ranks are automatically applied to the application.
Educational Access Scheme
JCU participates in QTAC’s Educational Access Scheme (EAS) which recognises applicants who have been educationally disadvantaged due to: financial hardship, home environment and responsibilities, English language difficulty, personal illness and disability or school environment.
This scheme is open to domestic applicants who apply through QTAC but does not apply to courses with special application requirements.
Applicants apply for the Educational Access Scheme through QTAC.
Subject Adjustment Scheme
This scheme allows for an automatic adjustment for subjects that require a high level of skill and knowledge that are successfully completed in high school.
The Subject Adjustment Scheme is open to all domestic and international applicants completing Year 12 and can’t be used for entry to postgraduate degrees, graduate entry programs and courses with special application requirements.
Applicants do not apply for this scheme. The bonus ranks are automatically applied at the time of application.
Adjustments are cumulative up to a maximum of ten (10) rankings and some exceptions apply.
Courses with special entry procedures
Applicants for the Bachelor of Dental Surgery, Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, and Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours) are required to apply online to QTAC by the due date, and submit a written application to JCU by 30 September 2024.
Applicants for Education courses are required to meet a non-academic entry requirement.
Key Dates
| Course offer dates |
| Offers are made regularly for most courses. For course information and availabilities, visit the JCU website. |
| Course Vacancies |
| Semester 1 2025 All courses are open. Semester 2 2025 All courses are open. |
| Institution Dates |
| Dates for 2024 are as follows: Trimester 3 2024
SP85 2024
SP86 2024
Dates for 2025 are as follows: Semester 1 2025
Semester 2 2025
Trimester 1 2025
Trimester 2 2025
Trimester 3 2025
Block 1 2025
Block 2 2025
Block 3 2025
Block 4 2025
Block 5 2025
Block 6 2025
Note: our previous SP81-SP86 carousel intakes are now called Blocks. |
Townsville Open Day
- Saturday 13 July 2024, 10am – 2pm
Cairns Open Day
- Saturday 27 July 2024, 10am – 2pm
Virtual Open Day
- Tuesday 6 August 2024, 3pm – 7pm (AEST)
Visit the JCU Virtual Open Day page for more information on how to register.
Visit the JCU Open Day page for more information, and the JCU Events page for event information.
How to Apply
How to apply
Apply through QTAC for diploma and bachelor degree courses.
If you are applying for any of the following courses you will also need to submit a separate written application direct to JCU.
- Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery
- Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours)
- Bachelor of Dental Surgery
Apply directly to JCU if you are a current JCU student continuing study, and for the following courses:
- Single subjects
- Postgraduate coursework degrees
- Honours
- Cross-institutional study
Student and campus services
Student facilities and services
At JCU, you’ll have access to a range of facilities on each campus that are designed to support student learning. Engage with our academic support team through The Learning Centre, with options to book one-on-one consultation sessions with a Learning Advisor.
For more information on available facilities, explore your preferred campus.
Scholarships
Each year JCU offers a number of scholarships to eligible new and continuing students. For more information, please refer to JCU Scholarships.
Student support services
JCU provides you with a comprehensive range of support services, including career advice and student employment services, chaplaincy, disability and accessibility support (AccessAbility) and personal counselling. Our student mentor program links new students with second and third year students who provide support and information about life at university. For more information, visit the JCU Student Support website.
Career Advice
Benefit from career advice from your first year of study. JCU provides a variety of services to support student employment, including assistance writing job applications and practising for job interviews, as well as career planning advice and tips for finding relevant experience. Students can book appointments with the Careers and Employability team and enrol in the Employability Edge program.
Student accommodation
You can choose from a variety of on-campus and off-campus housing. JCU Townsville offers five on-campus accommodation options for up to 1,200 students. The John Grey Hall provides Cairns students with accommodation that has spaces dedicated to both study and recreational activities. Visit jcu.edu.au/accommodation to discover more.
Work integrated learning
Certain JCU courses include a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) program embedded in particular subjects. WIL programs are designed to develop and integrate employability skills into study by empowering you to engage with industry leaders through placements, internships or assessments. Learn more about JCU’s placement opportunities and requirements today.
Study abroad
JCU supports students through providing multiple avenues for hands-on learning and practical experiences, including overseas study opportunities. Consider spending a semester or year abroad with the JCU Global Experience program. Explore JCU Global Experience to discover whether your prospective course includes opportunities for overseas placements.
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