About the university
James Cook University began as the University College of Townsville in 1961 and became an independent university in 1970. It came to Cairns in 1987 and now teaches in Townsville, Cairns, Singapore and Brisbane.
JCU teaches science, health, medicine, dentistry, nursing, IT and business. Its 2027 guide quotes the Good Universities Guide 2026 ranking it second in Australia for median graduate salary in medicine and in nursing.
Indian students look at JCU for science, health, IT and business degrees in regional Queensland, which can count towards extra post-study work time. The International Excellence Scholarship gives 25% off tuition for the full degree and is assessed automatically.
Townsville and Cairns are tropical cities in North Queensland. On-campus rooms in Townsville start at about A$233 a week in 2026, and in Cairns at about A$218.
- Founded
- 1970 as an independent university; began as the University College of Townsville in 1961
- Type
- Public university
- Total students
- About 9,300 (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- International students
- 17% (THE 2027 data)
- Student–staff ratio
- 16.2 to 1 (THE 2027 data)
- Campuses
- Townsville and Cairns in Queensland, plus Singapore and Brisbane, and study centres in Mackay, Mount Isa, Emerald and Thursday Island
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2027
=438 in the world
THE World University Rankings 2027
326–350 in the world
Popular courses with Indian students
James Cook University doesn't publish course-by-course fees for international students online. See the courses on the official website (opens in a new tab), or ask our counsellor for the current list and fees.
Scholarships
- Bachelor's and postgraduate coursework degrees
JCU International Excellence Scholarship
Value: 25% off tuition fees for the full degree
Eligibility: First-time international students starting full-time study, including from Asia. Needs an ATAR of 65 or equivalent for bachelor's entry, or at least 65% in your previous qualification for postgraduate entry, and a strong GPA each semester. Assessed automatically. Not for diplomas, graduate certificates, medicine or dentistry.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- JCU sets bachelor's entry by an ATAR equivalent of your Class XII results; the International Excellence Scholarship needs an ATAR of 65 or equivalent.
- Many courses list recommended subjects such as English, maths, biology or chemistry.
- JCU Prep and diploma pathways are available if you do not meet direct entry.
Postgraduate
- Most coursework master's degrees need a bachelor's degree (AQF level 7) or equivalent. Some, such as the MBA, accept relevant management experience.
- Start dates differ by course and campus; check the course page before you plan your visa.
Documents
- Valid passport
- Class 10 and Class XII mark sheets (bachelor's)
- Degree transcripts and certificate (master's)
- English test result
- CV for courses that count work experience
- Financial documents for the student visa
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| Band 1 | IELTS 6.0 (no component below 6.0); TOEFL iBT 74; PTE Academic 52. |
| Band 2 (many postgraduate courses, including the MBA) | IELTS 6.5 (no component below 6.0); TOEFL iBT 86; PTE Academic 58 (no component below 54). |
| Band 3a | IELTS 7.0 (no component below 6.5); TOEFL iBT 94; PTE Academic 65. |
| Band 3c (for example nursing) | IELTS 7.0 with no component below 7.0; PTE Academic 65 in every component. |
| Duolingo | Not listed in JCU's English band schedule. |
Accommodation and living costs
JCU has residences on its Townsville and Cairns campuses, from self-catered rooms to fully catered colleges. Weekly prices below are 2026 'from' rates in JCU's Student Accommodation Guide; most contracts run up to 47 weeks.
| Item | In AUD | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Rotary International House or University Hall, Townsville (self-catered)2026 rate, from | A$233per week | ≈ ₹15,145 |
| Burralga Yumba, Townsville (self-catered)2026 rate, standard to private ensuite | A$283–355per week | ≈ ₹18,395 – ₹23,075 |
| George Roberts Hall, Townsville (three meals a day)2026 rate, from | A$389per week | ≈ ₹25,285 |
| John Grey Hall, Cairns (self-catered)2026 rates, shared bathroom to studio | A$218–300per week | ≈ ₹14,170 – ₹19,500 |
Campus and location
JCU's main campus is in Townsville (Bebegu Yumba), with a second Queensland campus in Cairns (Nguma-bada) and international campuses in Singapore and Brisbane.
- Townsville: the largest campus, with residences such as Burralga Yumba (403 bedrooms) and several catered colleges.
- Cairns: JCU's campus since 1987, with John Grey Hall on site.
- JCU Singapore and JCU Brisbane offer selected courses with their own fees and intakes.
- Study centres in Mackay, Mount Isa, Emerald and Thursday Island.
Careers and graduate outcomes
JCU's 2027 guide quotes strong graduate outcomes, especially in health. Studying in Townsville or Cairns may count as regional study for post-study work visas; see our Australia guide for the rules.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time employment | 1st in Queensland | Good Universities Guide 2025, quoted in JCU's 2027 Undergraduate Guide |
| Median graduate salary in medicine and in nursing | 2nd in Australia | Good Universities Guide 2026, quoted in JCU's 2027 Undergraduate Guide |
Studying in Australia
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in Australia. Our country guide covers them in detail:
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FAQs
How much are JCU's fees for international students?
We could not confirm current international fees on JCU's course pages, so ask JCU or an authorised representative for the 2027 fee for your course.
Is there a scholarship for Indian students?
Yes. The JCU International Excellence Scholarship gives 25% off tuition for the full degree to eligible students from Asia and other regions. It is assessed automatically.
What IELTS score do I need?
It depends on the course's English band: Band 1 is IELTS 6.0, Band 2 is 6.5 with no component below 6.0, and nursing (Band 3c) needs 7.0 in every component.
Which campus should I choose?
Townsville is the main campus; Cairns is smaller. Both are regional, which can matter for post-study work rules. JCU Brisbane and Singapore have separate fees and intakes.
How much does on-campus housing cost?
2026 weekly rates start at about A$233 in Townsville and A$218 in Cairns for self-catered rooms. Catered colleges cost more.
Sources
- JCU: scholarships and financial support for international students (opens in a new tab)
- JCU: International Excellence Scholarship (opens in a new tab)
- JCU: Admissions Policy Schedule II (English bands) (opens in a new tab)
- JCU: 2026 Student Accommodation Guide (opens in a new tab)
- JCU: 2027 Undergraduate Guide (opens in a new tab)
- JCU: Celebrating 50 years timeline (opens in a new tab)
- THE World University Rankings 2027: James Cook University (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.jcu.edu.au (opens in a new tab)
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