James Cook University (JCU) is a modern and dynamic university of truly global standing. Its graduates hold top-level positions around Australia and the world, and its research has earned a world-class reputation.

Named after the British explorer Captain James Cook, James Cook University is Australia’s leading tropical research university and Queensland’s second oldest university offering excellence in teaching and research. 

Its main campuses are based in the coastal northern Queensland cities of Townsville and Cairns with additional campuses in Brisbane and at JCUS in Singapore, offering the same high quality Australian education in a dynamic Asian environment. 

More than 17,000 students, including 4,000 international students from more than100 nationalities, currently study with JCU.

James Cook University has been consistently ranked in the top five tropical universities of the world for research performance in our areas of research excellence: ecology/environment, plant and animal science, geosciences, coral reef science and tourism.

Location
As one of the world’s leading institutions focusing on the tropics, JCU is surrounded by the spectacular ecosystems of the rainforests of the Wet tropics, the dry savannahs, and the iconic Great Barrier Reef.

Its unique location enables students from Australia and overseas to study in a diverse physical environment unparalleled by any university in the world.

These two cities provide locals and visitors with modern sporting, cultural, entertainment and shopping facilities combined with a relaxed, laid-back lifestyle.

Smaller study centres are located in Mackay, Mount Isa and Thursday Island, and research stations and other sites are spread around northern Queensland. JCU also operates a Brisbane campus catering to international students and a Singapore campus. 

Its campuses are renowned for their stunning natural settings and friendly, relaxed ambience. 

History/number of students
JCU is Queensland’s second oldest university. It offered its first courses in Townsville in 1961 as an annex of the University of Queensland. 

Since then it has become a dynamic, multi-campus university with a total of 17,500 students. After a decade under the stewardship of the University of Queensland, JCU became a university in its own right on 20 April 1970. 

The proclamation was signed by Queen Elizabeth II at a special ceremony in Townsville, which took place 200 years, to the day, after the University’s namesake, explorer Captain James Cook, first sighted Australia.

Student Life 
The University believes a great university experience should be much more than straight academic work. There are plenty of social, sporting and recreation clubs on campus, to help ensure students have a good balance of work and play, get plenty of exercise and enjoy the company of friends. 

JCU’s Accommodation Service on the Townsville Campus can assist in finding suitable accommodation whether you choose to live in JCU Halls of Residence on in the affiliated Colleges or off campus in private rental or shared accommodation.

Cycling is the cheapest way to get around. Bike racks are provided for students around the Cairns and Townsville campuses.

There are two professionally staffed child care centres on the Townsville campus, providing a total of 115 places for children aged from 0 to 5. 

Counselling can help you ‘stay and succeed’ at JCU. JCU understands the unique challenges facing tertiary students, and it has strong networks with academic and professional staff .

The Multifaith Chaplaincy Service is a free and confidential service available to all students and staff of JCU.  It offers support, friendship and hospitality to anyone in search of spirituality and the meaning of life.  

The International Student Centre (ISC) is responsible for recruiting, admitting and supporting international students at JCU.  Its friendly staff are there to meet the needs of prospective and current international students. They can assist with all enquiries, including what courses are available at JCU and how to apply through to graduation arrangements and preparing to return home.

The ISC acts as a first point of contact when arriving in Australia to study. It offers the following services to ensure your smooth transition to life and study at JCU:

• Free arrival service (when arriving in your campus city)

• Welcome sessions

• International orientation program

• Social activities 

• Accommodation information

• Overseas Student Health Cover information

• Applying for a work permit 

• Personal well-being and welfare support 

Academic Programs and Resources
James Cook University values equity and diversity and endeavours to increase access to tertiary studies for students from a variety of backgrounds. JCU aims to integrate equity in its teaching, research, support and administration. 

Student Equity operates strategically to cultivate an environment which embraces social justice within the University community. Student Equity acts as an agent of cultural change to encourage students to engage in University life and succeed in their studies.

Our academics are highly qualified, win national teaching awards and are world leaders in their fields. 

For example, six JCU academics are among the top 10 cited scientists in Marine Science, 4 of whom are within the School of Marine and Tropical Biology. 4 of the top 50 Tourism scholars in the world are at JCU, giving the university one of the highest concentrations of top tourism research. Innovation in teaching styles and leading technologies are fundamental to JCU’s approach to teaching. 

Leading research
A leading research university, JCU attracts more than $27 million in research funding annually.  Students benefit from outstanding facilities, access to island and rainforest field stations, innovative courses and valuable work-placement opportunities. 

JCU research has a tropical focus, with recognised expertise in: marine science, environmental studies, tropical agriculture, tropical biology, tropical health and medicine, and tourism. 

JCU is ranked in the top 5 percent of the world’s tertiary institutions by the respected Academic Ranking of World Universities produced by the Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

It is also dedicated to creating a brighter future for life in the tropics world-wide, through graduates and discoveries that make a difference.

The University conducts nationally significant and internationally recognised research in areas such as marine sciences, biodiversity, tropical ecology and environments, global warming, tourism, and tropical medicine and public health care in under-served populations.

JCU’s undergraduate and postgraduate courses span the Arts, Business, Creative Arts, Education, Engineering, Law, Medicine and Health Sciences, Science, Information Technology and Social Sciences. JCU aims to give graduates the qualifications and skills they need for the global workforce.

JCU offers a unique study experience in the “Real Australia”, where students can experience a true safe and friendly Australian lifestyle, culture, language immersion and affordable cost of living, with a more personalised teaching environment.

 

For more information about James Cook University, please click here