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Contact QTAC nowJames Cook University (JCU)
Postal address for enquiries:
Student Enquiry Centre
James Cook University
Townsville QLD 4811
Telephone: (National) (07) 4781 5255; (Freecall) 1800 246 446; (International) +61 7 4781 5255
Facsimile: (07) 4781 4644
Email: EnquiriesTownsville@jcu.edu.au; EnquiriesCairns@jcu.edu.au
Website: www.jcu.edu.au
James Cook University (JCU) is the second oldest university in Queensland and a high-ranking teaching and research institution. The University’s main campuses are located in Cairns and Townsville, close to two World Heritage sites: the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and the rainforests of the Wet Tropics. The University’s distinctive character is linked to its location in the tropics and many courses include tropical, rural and remote perspectives. Study centres are also located in Mackay, Mount Isa and Thursday Island.
Applicants can be confident about choosing JCU. With its range of degree programs and reputation for excellence in teaching and research, the Institute of Higher Education, which compiles the Academic Ranking of World Universities, ranks JCU as one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions. In 2010 JCU was placed in the top 301-400 grouping of the more than 14,000 universities in the world*. In Asia and the Pacific, it is placed in the top 100†. Only one other university in Queensland makes this list.
With a student population of over 17,000, JCU teaches in all of the nationally recognised fields of study and attracts students from across Australia and around the world, particularly from North America. JCU’s campuses offer friendly and safe learning environments with excellent library and study facilities. The Townsville campus is located on 400ha of natural bushland about 13km from the city centre in the suburb of Douglas. The Cairns campus is nestled against a backdrop of rainforest-covered hills some 15km north of the city, in the northern beaches suburb of Smithfield.
Courses
JCU provides teaching programs and research training across a range of disciplines. These include marine sciences, tropical biology and ecology, public health and tropical medicine, agriculture, Indigenous Australian studies, and tourism. Professional courses cover fields such as law, journalism, education, pharmacy, psychology, social work, nursing, rehabilitation sciences, engineering, medicine, veterinary science, and dentistry. Students can tailor their study programs by combining study areas into joint majors or
joint degrees.
The University is world-ranking in research relating to the environment and ecology, geosciences and sustainable tourism. Other flagship fields include engineering, medical and health sciences, education, business, nursing, and veterinary science. The Medical School opened in 2000 and specialises in rural, remote, Indigenous, and tropical medicine. Veterinary science commenced in 2006 and dentistry in 2009.
Courses with Special Entry procedures
Applicants for dentistry, medicine, pharmacy, physiotherapy, and veterinary science must submit a separate application to the University by the last working day in September. Download the forms at: http://www.jcu.edu.au/grs/forms/index.htm. Applicants for JCU’s Remote Area Teacher Education Program need to submit a separate application by November. Please see the Course Entries for ‘additional entry information’ where relevant.
School of Indigenous Australian Studies
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students can prepare for entry to university study via a Tertiary Access Course. The School also offers subjects in Indigenous Australian studies to many undergraduate students, along with a tutorial support scheme for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
Student Facilities
Townsville Campus
The expansive bushland campus offers a wealth of activities and facilities for students, including a refectory, licensed bar, coffee shops, bookshop, post office, gym and fitness centre, basketball courts, sports ovals, squash and tennis courts, swimming pool, performance space, childcare centres, and counselling and careers services. There are also market days, free movies and plenty of sporting clubs and student societies to join, ranging from Amnesty International to water polo. Around 1250 students live in residential colleges.
Cairns campus
Known as the rainforest campus, the Cairns campus is located in the northern beaches suburb of Smithfield. It offers excellent teaching and library facilities plus state-of-the-art science, health science and computer laboratories, and a newly built, $33 million dentistry building featuring a world-class clinical simulation laboratory. The new student facilities hub has indoor and outdoor performance spaces and brings together a refectory, licensed bar, coffee shop, and bookshop. Other facilities include basketball courts, sports oval, study skills centre, and counselling and careers services.
Other locations
JCU has study centres and research facilities around northern Queensland including: Mount Isa Centre for Rural and Remote Health; Mackay Education and Research Centre; Thursday Island Study Centre; Orpheus Island Research Station; Fletcherview Tropical Veterinary Research Station; Malanda Veterinary Teaching Resource Centre; Queensland Rainforest Observatory; and Paluma Rainforest Research Station.
Student Accommodation
JCU’s accommodation service can assist with finding suitable private rental or share accommodation in Cairns and Townsville. Contact the service on: Townsville (07) 4781 4148 or online at www.jcu.edu.au/accommodation.
Townsville on-campus accommodation
There are residential places for over 1250 students on campus in a variety of student colleges and residences, some self-catering. Application forms are available from JCU’s accommodation service on (07) 4781 4148 or online at www.jcu.edu.au/accommodation. Student residences can be contacted directly as listed below.
St Mark’s College (07) 4759 5100; Combined Catholic College of St Raphae
and St Paul’s (07) 4727 7200; John Flynn College (07) 4727 7500; JCU Halls of
Residence (07) 4781 5777.
Cairns students residences
Private student residences are located opposite the campus. Application forms are available from JCU’s accommodation service on (07) 4781 4148 or online at www.jcu.edu.au/accommodation. A range of furnished accommodation and rental properties are available in surrounding suburbs.
Student Support Services
Comprehensive support services assist students with personal, career, welfare, and learning support needs. These include career advice, learning skills advice, student employment services, chaplaincy services, accessibility services, student equity services, and personal counselling. A student mentor program links new students with second or third year mentors for support.
Information services and technology.
JCU provides integrated computing and library facilities. Extensive IT resources are available to all students including 24-hour computer laboratories, online ordering of library books and electronic journals, and online technology training. LearnJCU is JCU’s online teaching resource that includes teaching resources, discussion forums, and assignment lodgement.
International exchange program
Global partner universities in the USA, Asia, Canada, and Europe enable JCU students to study abroad for six to 12 months and gain credit towards their degree.
Institution Scholarships
JCU offers an increasing number of undergraduate scholarships. For full details
visit www.jcu.edu.au/scholarships.
Publications
JCU’s Courses and Careers: Undergraduate Study Guide outlines the University’s courses and facilities and is available from the Student Enquiry Centre on 1800 246 446 or online at www-public.jcu.edu.au/study/publications/index.htm. Course information for all undergraduate programs is available at www.jcu.edu.au/courses. JCU’s Course and Subject Handbook, available online at www.jcu.edu.au/handbook, provides detailed information on courses and subjects.
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