This section sets out application procedures for entry to study at JCU.
- Undergraduate courses
- Honours course
- Postgraduate course
- Speakers of languages other than English
- Cross Institutional study
- Contact us for further information
- Application forms
- Deferment options
Undergraduate courses
Current Australian Year 12 students apply to QTAC (Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre) via the web using the Twelve To Tertiary (TTT) service. High schools will provide instruction and guidance on the procedure.
QTAC's publication QTAC Guide – Tertiary Courses 2006 is distributed free of charge to all Queensland Year 12 students.
The QTAC hotline for Year 12 students is 1900 971 166. Visit the QTAC website at: www.qtac.edu.au 
Other applicants – degree and diploma courses
All other applicants apply to QTAC (Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre) via the web using the Apply by Web (ABW) service. There is an application fee for QTAC applications. The closing date for applications without attracting a late fee is the last working day in September. JCU also offers mid-year entry to many courses. The closing date for applications submitted to QTAC for mid-year entry is generally mid-May.
The QTAC general telephone enquiries number is (07) 3368 1166. Visit the QTAC website at: www.qtac.edu.au
Admission requirements, or prerequisites, are the minimum required before you can be offered a place in a course. All JCU courses require the completion of Year 12 English, although this may be waived for some mature-age applicants. Some courses, particularly in the sciences, also require the completion of other subjects to at least Year 12 level. You must also have completed Year 12 and gained a Queensland Overall Position (OP) or equivalent entrance rank high enough to secure a place in the course.
Information on prerequisite subjects and other admission requirements can be found in the publication QTAC Guide – Tertiary Courses 2006 (purchased from most Queensland newsagents).
Alternative entry for mature-age
applicants
The Alternative Entry scheme caters to non-school leavers who may
not meet the standard academic entry requirements for an undergraduate
degree. Alternative Entry may be granted if you can show you have reasonable
prospects of success in a course. Previous work and study experience are
taken into account and you should complete a Personal Competencies
Statement with your QTAC application. You are also encouraged to sit the Special
Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). Further information is available from
JCU’s Student Enquiries Centre on freecall (within Australia)
1800 246 446.
Certificate courses are part-time courses designed for mature-age students. They involve the completion of two subjects, and are offered over a wide range of study areas – from business through to visual arts. Certificate courses have no formal prerequisites for admission. Students gain a taste of university study, and successfully completed subjects may be credited towards a full degree if students decide to proceed to further studies.
Application for Certificate courses is made by applying directly to
JCU. No application to QTAC is necessary. Application instructions and
form are
available online (pdf file).
For further information, contact JCU’s
Student Enquiries Centre on freecall (within Australia)
1800 246 446.
Honours courses
Application by non-JCU students
Application for Honours is made by completing an Application for Admission to Honours form, available from the JCU Student Enquiries Centre.
Application by JCU students
JCU students who wish to undertake Honours should approach the Honours Coordinator within their School.
Postgraduate courses
Research or coursework?
JCU offers a range of postgraduate awards, which are broadly divided into either:
- coursework or
- research
Coursework awards require the successful completion of postgraduate subjects and many are modular in fashion, each award counting towards the next level and accumulating to Masters level. Research awards enable students to undertake sustained research in a specialist area. A research award is defined as one with a minimum research component of 66%.
Applying for postgraduate coursework study
Application for postgraduate coursework study is made by completing a Postgraduate Application form, available from JCU's Student Enquiries Centre. You need to attach certified copies of your qualifications when submitting your application.
Generally, application forms must be submitted by 28 January, or 1 July for mid-year enrolment. For MBA programs, applications must be submitted 4 weeks before the commencement of a subject.
Further information is available from JCU’s Student Enquiries Centre.
Applying for postgraduate research courses
Initial enquiries should be made to JCU's Graduate Research School on (07) 4781 5861 or e-mail: ResearchHigherDegrees@jcu.edu.au
Applicants need approval from an appropriate JCU Head of School for their research proposal. They then have to complete an Application for Research Candidature form, and attach certified copies of qualifications. The form is then submitted to the Graduate Research School.
Applicants who wish to study by research may submit their applications at any time, and there is no application fee.
Applicants whose first language is not English
Applicants whose first language is not English will need to be able to demonstrate that they have a sufficient knowledge of written and spoken English to complete their chosen course. This can be demonstrated in two ways:• completion of at least two years of education where the medium of instruction was English; or
• completion of a TOEFL or IELTS test to an appropriate score. For details visit JCU’s International Student Centre
JCU operates English Language Centres in Townsville and Cairns that offer English language courses for international students whose academic and /or language qualifications are not recognised for entry to JCU undergraduate degrees. Visit the ELC online at www.elc.jcu.edu.au
Cross-institutional study
Cross-institutional study allows you to study certain subjects at James Cook University for credit to your degree at your home university. Application is made by completing the Application for Cross-Institutional Study form and by attaching a certified copy of your academic record. You will be asked to obtain the approval of your home institution.
Application for Cross-institutional Study forms are available from the Student Enquiries Centre.
Please note that a statement of results cannot be accepted in lieu of an academic record.
Contact us for more information
Undergraduate or postgraduate coursework study
Student Enquiries Centre – Townsville
Student Enquiries Centre – Cairns
Postgraduate degrees
Graduate Research SchoolTel: (07) 4781 5861 (within Australia)
+ 61 7 4781 5861 (outside Australia)
Fax: (07) 4781 6204 (within Australia)
+ 61 7 4781 6204 (outside Australia)
E-mail: ResearchHigherDegrees@jcu.edu.au)
Address: Graduate Research School, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia
Deferment options
Deferment is available for 12 months, or for six months in the case of mid year entry, to most new students who have applied through QTAC.
There are some restrictions for students who have been accepted for the following courses:
- Bachelor of Medicine/Surgery
- Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
- Bachelor of Pharmacy
- Bachelor of Physiotherapy
- Bachelor of Vetinary Science
If you have been offered a place in one of these courses and wish to defer, you must also write to the Manager, Student Enquiries Centre at James Cook University, Townsville 4811, requesting deferral, in addition to responding to QTAC. Bachelor of Medicine/Surgery students should contact the School of Medicine directly.
To take up your deferred place in the following year, you will need to reapply to QTAC form in August or September of the year. On the QTAC application form, you should nominate the course from which you have deferred. Should you decide to nominate a different course, then you will lose your deferred place.
You will be sent a special QTAC form in August - for this reason it is important to inform JCU's Student Enquiries Centre of any changes in your address prior to this date.