James Cook University

Diverse environments, vibrant communities and challenging academic programs are just a few of the reasons why so many students choose to study abroad at James Cook University. No other university can offer such a wide range of classes in the shadow of two of the world's finest natural heritage areas - The Wet Tropics Rainforests and the Great Barrier Reef.

Academic Highlights

JCU offers international students an extensive set of study choices at the Study Abroad, Undergraduate and Postgraduate level. In total, there are more than 170 undergraduate and more than 140 postgraduate courses that have a wide range of study areas including: arts and humanities, business, the creative arts, education, engineering, health sciences, information technology, law, medicine, social sciences and science. Study abroad/exchange, diploma, bachelor, graduate certificates and diplomas, coursework masters, research masters, professional doctorates and PhDs are all available.

As a leading research university and winner of Queensland’s leading education exporter award in 2007, JCU provides excellent facilities for teaching and learning. JCU teaching staff is highly qualified and dedicated and many JCU academics are considered to be leaders in their fields. Much research focus is based on the industries and environment of northern Australia, including marine biology, tropical environment studies, earth sciences/geology, engineering, tropical health and tourism.

JCU’s specialist research facilities range from island and rainforest field stations, research vessels and satellite technology, to biomedical laboratories and historical collections and more than 20 specialist research centres. These research capabilities mean that undergraduate students including study abroad students, enjoy unique opportunities for field trips, industry links, experience at research stations and access to what would be postgraduate-only facilities at many other universities.

JCU is also a member of the elite national alliance, Innovative Research Universities Australia. In 2006 and 2007, JCU was ranked in the World’s Top 500 Universities by the Shanghai Jiao Tong Academic Ranking of the World’s Top Universities.

University Services

James Cook University provides a full range of support services for students to help them make the most of their time at university. Whether you need help with an assignment, finding accommodation, personal welfare support, study skills assistance or job seeking, there are dedicated services on campus to assist you.

The International Student Centre organizes all aspects of your study abroad semester or year with JCU, from application to arrival, enrolment, and orientation. The Centre is your first point of contact if you need assistance at JCU and provides a range of services and information including:

• preparing for arrival information and free arrival service
• international orientation program
• social activities
• accommodation information
• personal well-being and welfare support
• Overseas Student Health Cover information

Housing

JCU’s Accommodation Service helps students with on-campus accommodation in halls of residence and colleges, as well as in private rental or shared accommodation (off campus). For students who prefer off-campus accommodation, the Service maintains a register of houses, units, apartments, shared accommodation, home stay and caretaker arrangements. The Service also provides tenancy information and advice on how to rent a private house or unit. A wide range of quality housing is available for rent near the Townsville and Cairns campuses, and students may find that renting privately is an affordable alternative to living on campus. Most postgraduate students prefer to live off-campus.

Orientation

Orientating yourself to Townsville is just the beginning in finding your way around your new “home away from home.” The JCU International Student Centre works to ensure your transition to living and studying in Australia is as smooth as possible. We will meet you when you arrive in Townsville and take you to your pre-arranged accommodation for settling in. The Centre then hosts a special “Welcome Pack Information Session” to help you become familiar with the campus and community and answer any questions you may have about studying at JCU.

JCU runs an Orientation “O” Week of activities with all new Australian and International students, offering you opportunities to meet with academic advisors to finalize your subject selection, get to know your way around the campus and facilities and participate in social events. “O” Week promises to be a great start to your study abroad experience at JCU. A welcome Aussie barbeque is also organized for all new students in addition to many other activities held throughout the year such as Arts Week, Cultural Festival, Campus Bands Competition, Green Week, campus movie nights and much more!

Location: Townsville and Cairns

Townsville and Cairns are attractive coastal cities with populations of 160,000 and 140,000, respectively, and are within easy reach of the Great Barrier Reef. Both cities enjoy excellent tropical climates for most of the academic year including autumn, winter, and spring, and an average winter temperature of around 25 degrees Celsius. North Queensland is well known for embracing a safe and relaxed tropical lifestyle. Established Indigenous, European and Asian communities add to the cultural diversity of the region not usually found outside of the capital cities.

Townsville

Set in almost 400 hectares of natural bushland by the Ross River and Mount Stuart, the campus is home to 11,000 students in a safe, friendly environment just 13 km from the beach and downtown area. More than 1,400 students live on campus in colleges and halls of residence, giving the campus a true community atmosphere. The campus is also home to various Australian native birds and animals, including kookaburras, cockatoos, bush turkeys and wallabies. To discover more about the extensive range of plants and animals on JCU’s campuses, visit: cms.jcu.edu.au/discovernature/index.htm.

Cairns

Two hundred miles to the north of Townsville is the Cairns campus, with a student population of around 3,000 including 300 international students. Described as the rainforest campus, the Cairns campus is surrounded on three sides by World Heritage-listed rainforests and conveniently located near the attractive northern beach suburbs. The campus is approximately 15 km from downtown Cairns and offers modern facilities in a pleasant layout. One of Australia’s most popular tourist destinations, the city has a diverse population which is reflected in its cultural, shopping and sporting facilities.

JCU locations offer a large variety of outdoor activities including visits to the Great Barrier Reef and nearby islands and resorts, day-trips to historic outback towns such as Charters Towers and World-Heritage listed rainforests all within an hour’s drive of both campuses. Popular outdoor water sports such as sailing, canoeing, kayaking, water-skiing and jet-skiing are all local options while some students prefer the adrenaline rush of close-by white water rafting, skydiving and bungee jumping. There are plenty of hiking and cycling trails to be explored as well.

Townville and Cairns are also home to professional rugby and basketball clubs, and a variety of intramural sporting activities such as beach volleyball, tennis, field hockey, basketball and soccer are also available.

Whatever your personal interests, there are an abundance of activities on offer in JCU campus cities and surrounding areas.

Why Canadians Enjoy Studying at JCU

Canadian students at JCU love the fact that they can study quality degrees in a beautiful natural environment, while meeting students from over 100 countries around the world! JCU programs are cutting-edge and academics work closely with industry to ensure our degrees prepare students for “real world” careers.

JCU’s main campus is located in Townsville, which is a thriving coastal city and port, and a stepping-off point for visiting the Great Barrier Reef. The resort regions of the Whitsunday Islands and Mission Beach are within easy reach.

JCU is located in a tropical area, which has a regional setting as opposed to a big city setting. The population of the area reflects many university towns in Canada, and OzTREKK students enjoy the gorgeous, hot weather and the friendliness of Northern Queenslanders. The City of Townsville provides you with the feeling of a small-town atmosphere, yet there is plenty to see and do in and around the city. The campus is set in the bush and provides students the ability to relax while at school. As a smaller university, JCU staff members are approachable and friendly, and students enjoy the attention they receive upon arrival and throughout their program.

With more than two million visitors annually, Cairns is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Australia, and this is where JCU’s second largest campus is located. Attractions include two World Heritage natural environments – the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and the Wet Tropics ancient rainforests. Nearby resort regions include Port Douglas and Mission Beach, and the picturesque Atherton Tablelands and outback Queensland are within easy reach.

“My time abroad at JCU was absolutely amazing! The campus was beautiful, the people were friendly, and the program was excellent! Townsville is a small, yet beautiful city, with lots to do and see, and the warm weather and constant sunshine was fantastic! In my studies at my home institution, I was lacking the field component that I knew would help me in my future job pursuits. JCU gave me these essential skills, while enabling me to visit some of the beautiful places Queensland has to offer, such as the Great Barrier Reef and the rainforest. For a girl interested in pursuing a career in tropical marine biology, this was the perfect place to go! The classes were well conducted and professors were very approachable and always available to help you if you needed it. I hope to return when I have completed my undergraduate degree to obtain my Masters. I miss my time spent at James Cook University, but have left with an incredible experience that will last a lifetime.”
Kelly Haussler JCU Study Abroad Semester – Tropical Marine Biology

Some Popular JCU Programs for Students from Canada

• Graduate Diploma of Education/Master of Teaching
• Master of Biomedical Science
• Bachelor of Business (majors in Accounting, Financial Management, International
• Business, Hospitality Management, Tourism, Management and Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Economics and Regional Development, Human Resource Management)
• Master of Business Administration
• Bachelor of Science and Master of Applied Science (majors in Marine Biology, Coral Reef Ecology, Tropical Biology and Zoology, Rainforest and Coastal Science, Natural Resource Management, Protected Area Management)
• Bachelor degrees in Health Sciences including Nursing, Medicine/Surgery, Pharmacy
• Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine
• Master of Science by Research
• Graduate-entry Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
• Bachelor of Arts (especially majors in archaeology and anthropology)
• Master of Tourism
• Bachelor of Engineering
• Master of Education
• Master of Psychology
• Master of Public Health
• Master of Astronomy
• Creative Arts including Digital Media