James Cook University (JCU) is the second oldest university in Queensland and Australia's leading university in the tropics. Offering excellence in teaching and research, JCU is a vibrant multi-campus university.
Total student enrolments are more than 18,000 and growing, including over 5000 international students from over 100 different countries. In 2011, JCU moved to within the world's top 400 universities, as ranked by the Shanghai Jiao Tong ranking system and is recognised as one of the top 5% of universities worldwide. JCU is also a member of the select group of Innovative Research Universities.
JCU is a vibrant three-campus university with main campus locations in the tropical Queensland cities of Townsville and Cairns and the city-state of Singapore. Some JCU degrees are also offered at JCU Brisbane, a campus operated by Russo Higher Education Pty Ltd in Queensland's capital city of Brisbane along with education partners in Asia and the Pacific.
Research
As a leading research university, JCU provides excellent facilities for teaching and learning. The unique location of James Cook University allows nationally significant and internationally recognised research to be conducted by both staff and students.
Much research focus is based on the industries and environments of northern Australia including marine biology, biodiversity, tropical environmental studies, earth sciences/geology, engineering, tropical health and tourism. Total research related income at JCU reached $52.6 million in 2010, including funding from government, competitive grants and industry.
This is expected to rise strongly in the coming years. JCU is a member of the national alliance, Innovative Research Universities and is one of the world's leading research universities in the tropics.
Awards and Recognition
- JCU is ranked in the top 400 universities in the world in the 2011 Shanghai Jiao Tong University Academic Ranking of World Universities
- In the Asia Pacific region, JCU is ranked in the top 100
- JCU is ranked in the top 5% of universities world wide based on 2011 assessments by two of the world's leading university ranking systems - the Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Higher Education and Accreditation Council
- JCU is a member of the select group, Innovative Research Universities (IRU). IRU is one of the three university alliances recognized by peak body Universities Australia
- Ranked first in the world for citations in the field of coral reef ecology
- Consistently ranked in the world's top three for research performance in the areas of ecology and environment, plant and animal sciences and geosciences
- JCU is ranked as Australia's leading university in Environmental Science and Management and Fisheries Science research
- Ranked among the top 12 tourism education institutions in the world and recognized for its focus on ecotourism
- Over the past five years, JCU academics have won 39 national awards for teaching excellence from the Australian Teaching and Learning Council - more than many larger universities.
- Six JCU academics are among the top 10 cited scientists in Marine Sciences in the world
- Thompson's Essential Science Indicator ranks JCU 1st in Australia for Environmental Ecology citations
- JCU is ranked as the 2ndInstitution in the world in Climate Change (after the Smithsonian Institute) for max Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) citations per paper, NASA is 3rd. (Thomson Reuters citation impact ranking)
Location & Facilities
JCU is a vibrant three-campus university with main campus locations in the tropical Queensland cities of Townsville and Cairns and the city-state of Singapore. Some JCU degrees are also offered at JCU Brisbane, a campus operated by Russo Higher Education Pty Ltd in Queensland's capital city of Brisbane along with education partners in Asia and the Pacific.
Townsville campus
James Cook University's largest campus - the Townsville campus, with over 12,000 students including approximately 1,900 enrolled international students, is located in a peaceful 386-hectare setting of natural bush and parkland full of native Australian flora and fauna.
The campus is nestled in the residential suburb of Douglas, close to the Ross River, 13 kilometers (8 miles) from the city centre. The campus offers a range of activities and facilities for students including: the main JCU library, cafés, bars, fitness & sporting facilities and a host of student clubs and societies.
Cairns campus
The Cairns campus is located near the northern beaches in the suburb of Smithfield. The campus is surrounded on three sides by rainforest-covered mountains and is about 15 kilometres north of the city centre.
Facilities at the campus include an impressive library and information technology building, health and science laboratories, a student refectory, a café, a licensed bar, a gym, sporting oval and a basketball court.
The student accommodation facilities are at modern complexes situated opposite the campus and at Trinity Beach. Over 4,000 students including about 400 international students study at the Cairns campus.
Singapore campus
JCU Singapore is fully owned by James Cook University Australia. The university established JCU Singapore in 2003 as part of its expressed intent of internationalising its activities and in pursuit of its vision of "A brighter future for life in the tropics, world-wide".
The University offers a suite of university level programs at the JCU Singapore campus. Student enrolment at the campus has grown rapidly from 50 students in 2003 to approximately 2500 students in 2011. The campus is truly multicultural with students from Singapore and across Asia, in particular China, India, Indochina, Indonesia and Malaysia. Additionally students enroll from Europe and the United States.
Brisbane campus
JCU has a modern campus in the heart of Brisbane central business district. Easily accessible by both public and private transportation, the modern campus operated by Russo Higher Education is located within walking distance from the Brisbane library, shops and eating outlets.
The campus building is equipped with the latest teaching technologies and has wireless internet access available on all campus floors. The campus offers bachelor degrees, postgraduate programs in business and information technology as well English language and academic pathways.
JCU provides a full range of support services and facilities for students to help them make the most of their time at university
James Cook International
The James Cook International office assists every international student at JCU to ensure their stay in Australia and at the University is a pleasant and productive one. The office should be your first point of contact if you need assistance.
It provides a range of support services and information for students including:
- preparing for arrival information
- free arrival reception service
- temporary accommodation bookings
- orientation program
- social activities
- accommodation information
- off campus accommodation tours
- orientation tours of Townsville or Cairns cities
- assistance in emergencies
- personal well-being and welfare support
- after hours student assistance helpline
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) information
- student advice, advocacy and referral
- course admission procedures
- returning home program
Learning Skills
Learning advisers provide academic support for all JCU students. Workshops, online tutorials and individual sessions are available to help with: assignment writing, lecture note-taking, organisational skills, exam preparation, research skills and support for students from non-English speaking backgrounds.
Multi-faith centre
The multi-faith centre caters for students from a diverse range of religious backgrounds and is available at the Cairns and Townsville campuses. It provides pastoral care, spiritual and religious support for students. The International office can also provide advice to students on local places of worship.
Counselling
A confidential, free counselling service is provided for students at the Townsville and Cairns campuses by qualified psychologists for a wide range of academic and personal needs.
JCU Student Association
The JCU Student Association is directed by elected students and, for a membership fee, provides services and amenities to students. These include: student representation to the University, student welfare issues, entertainment, sports facilities and food outlets on the Cairns and Townsville campuses. There is also an active Indian student Society at JCU.
Careers and Employment Service
The JCU Careers and Employment Service provides information, advice and guidance on careers, employment and further study, to current JCU students and graduates.
Free services include :
- online job finder, including part-time and vacation jobs
- career advice
- access to computer-based career guidance programs to help with career choices
Retail services
The Townsville campus has a selection of cafés and student eateries. The Cairns campus has a Refectory (student eatery) and café at the library.
JCU Bookshops on the Townsville and Cairns campuses offer student discounts on books and stationery. The Townsville and Cairns campuses have ATMs and agencies for the Uni Credit Union.
In Townsville there is a post office and a hairdresser. For Cairns students, a post office, branches of all the major banks plus a range of other shopping facilities are located at the Smithfield Centre, about one kilometre (half a mile) from the campus.
Students with disabilities
Specialist services are available to students with permanent or temporary disabilities who may require additional information, support or resources.
These include a range of technologies, to assist students to access teaching and assessment alternatives, and special arrangements for note taking and examinations. If you need these services, you should contact Accessibility Services as soon as you accept your offer, to discuss your needs.
Leading technology
As a student at JCU you will enjoy access to the latest technology and a wealth of electronic resources. You'll have your own e-mail account and be able to access the JCU network to search and borrow books from the JCU Library catalogue, submit assignments, contact your lecturers, take part in online class discussions and more.
LearnJCU is a web resource for all JCU subjects, providing study resources, reading lists, notice boards, your own web page and discussion forums. eStudent presents enrolment details, lecture timetables, on-campus activities and more.
PC and Macintosh laboratories are available on all campuses. Selected computer laboratories are open 24 hours, seven days a week, offering printing facilities on a user-pays basis. Wireless zones let you access the web from your laptop computer at selected sites on campus.
Library
The JCU Library is one of the best in regional Australia, with the campuses of Townsville and Cairns owning a combined collection of almost half a million volumes. Books can be ordered online and delivered between campuses.
Over 24,000 unique electronic journals are accessible as part of a rapidly expanding collection of electronic resources. Librarians provide in-depth assistance to students.
Accommodation Service
The JCU Accommodation Service operates out of the Townsville campus and provides student information about on-campus or off-campus accommodation in Townsville or Cairns. JCU's Brisbane and Singapore campuses offer assistance with accommodation for students.
Bookshop
JCU has bookshops on Townsville and Cairns campuses. The shops sell textbooks, stationery and computer software & peripherals. Student discounts are offered and the shops ensure that most textbooks are stocked in time for the study year.
JCU Professional College
To complement the skills and knowledge student's gain through their studies, the JCU Professional College extends opportunities to students for professional and personal development.
The college's programs focus on building leadership capabilities, professionalism, productive networks and cross-cultural skills to give JCU graduates a career-building edge. All JCU students are members of the Professional College with access to a range of programs in three modules: Leadership, Community Engagement and Cultural Competency.