The University was established by an Act of the Queensland Parliament, the James Cook University of North Queensland Act 1970, which provided for "the establishment and incorporation of a University at Townsville, and for purposes connected therewith". It received assent on 20 April 1970.
James Cook University (JCU) is a leader in teaching and research that addresses the critical challenges facing the Tropics.
Our Australian campuses in Cairns and Townsville are on the doorstep of some of the world’s most spectacular environments: the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and the rainforests of the Wet Tropics, the savannahs of Cape York Peninsula and the deserts of the arid outback. Our footprint extends beyond northern Queensland to include our Singapore campus, which combines research and teaching and demonstrates our commitment to the Asian region and internationalisation, particularly in the Tropics.
In support of our tropical agenda, our teaching and research is focused on four themes: tropical ecosystems and environment; industries and economies in the tropics; people and societies in the Tropics; and tropical health, medicine and biosecurity. JCU’s staff and students conduct research in the following areas: environmental science and management, fisheries sciences, geochemistry, geology, evolutionary biology, plant biology, zoology, tourism, inorganic chemistry, oceanography, physical geography and environmental geoscience, biochemistry and cell biology, genetics, materials engineering, immunology, neurosciences, nursing, specialist studies in education, anthropology, human geography, linguistics and historical studies.
JCU engages with all its communities, businesses and industry to promote a sustainable region that is socially inclusive. We are proud of our strong links with rural, remote and indigenous communities, and we are dedicated to ensuring that our teaching, learning and research delivers practical benefits to the peoples and industries of our area.
International Excellence Scholarships
The JCU International Excellence Scholarship provides a 25% tuition fee reduction throughout the entire duration of approved full degree study programs, provided recipients maintain a strong GPA each semester. Scholarship eligibility is automatically assessed during the JCU admissions process. Eligible candidates will receive an offer for their program of study and the International Excellence Scholarship concurrently.
Eligibility
In 2023, the International Excellence Scholarship is for eligible high achieving students from the United States, Canada, Latin America, the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, PNG and Middle East.
Some programs are ineligible for the International Excellence Scholarship. This includes, but is not limited to end on honours degrees, Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, Bachelor of Dental Surgery, Bachelor of Veterinary Science, and online and non-award programs.
Australia Awards students and SACM students and all other government scholarships/sponsorships covering full tuition fees, international students transferring from joint programs, and study abroad and exchange students are not eligible.
How to apply
The JCU International Excellence Scholarship provides a 25% tuition fee reduction throughout the entire duration of approved full degree study programs, provided recipients maintain a strong GPA each semester.
Scholarship eligibility is automatically assessed during the JCU admissions process. There is no application required for this scholarship. Eligible candidates will receive an offer for their program of study and the International Excellence Scholarship concurrently.
Scholarship rules apply and will be provided to candidates at the time of offer.