James Cook University (JCU) has a campus in Cairns. It is Queensland’s second oldest university. The university has internationally recognised teaching and has research programs across various disciplines. A recent development is that JCU has moved into the top 400 in the Shanghai Jiao Tong ranking system for universities.

International students are placed in a supportive study environment. Students are with highly qualified teachers; studying in top-class facilities, and are taught with a strong emphasis on personal contact between students and academics. Graduates are valued by employers for their mixture of academic skills; practical experience, and good communication and technology skills. JCU alumni experience careers that have them working all over the world. JCU aims to initiate and support passion for success and provide international students with a truly Australian experience.

Recent developments are happening at the campuses in teaching and research. These developments are aimed to enhance life in the tropics. In the Cairns campus there is the Australian Tropical Forest Institute. This will bring together leading plant researchers in Australia under one roof. In 2009 a new dental school was inaugurated.

JCU Cairns combines natural setting with modern teaching and research facilities. The campus is located in the suburb of Smithfield with close proximity to rainforest-covered mountains. The campus is 15 kilometres (9 miles) north of the city centre. It is also near to the beachside suburbs. There are regular bus services to the city centre; the shopping centre, and residential areas.

Over 3500 students are enrolled in the Cairns campus. Among them are more than 370 international students. The campus has the latest teaching facilities that including an impressive library and information technology building. JCU Cairns has some of Queensland’s largest science teaching facilities. It also has specialist health and science research facilities. A dentistry building is under construction.

Students enjoy the advantage of small class sizes and an enjoyable campus atmosphere. Other facilities include a student eatery, café alongside the library, bookshop, sporting facilities and the JCU-ELC (English Language Centre).


English Language Requirements

For students whose native language is not English must demonstrate their proficiency by achieving a score in a test such as Academic IELTS or TOEFL. Other English language tests may be accepted as proof of English language proficiency.

Students who have successfully completed two years of full-time study in which the language of instruction was English may satisfy the English requirement. For this to be considered, the study must have been done no more than two years before the date of offer of a place at JCU. Students must provide a certificate or statement issued by the Registrar’s office of that institution confirming this.

Students who successfully complete an English language course packaged with a JCU degree at the JCU-ELC (English Language Centre) or approved pathway provider can gain direct entry to most JCU courses.

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