About James Cook University
JCU – a world-class enterprise
James Cook University is Australia's leading tropical research university. We take our name from the eighteenth-century British navigator and explorer Captain James Cook, whose epic voyages contributed to the world of science. The University was proclaimed in Townsville on 20 April 1970, two hundred years after Cook charted the eastern seaboard of Australia, including northern Queensland.
The University is governed by the JCU Council, established under the James Cook University Act 1997. The Council is chaired by the Chancellor Lt Gen John Grey AC. Management of JCU is through the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sandra Harding. The University is guided by its Statement of Strategic Intent, which focuses on creating a brighter future for life in the tropics worldwide through graduates and discoveries that make a difference.
JCU is a vibrant, multi-campus university with our main sites in the tropical Queensland cities of Townsville and Cairns. We also have modern campuses in Brisbane and Singapore. There are smaller sites in Mackay, Mount Isa and Thursday Island, and we deliver our courses through education partners in Asia and the Pacific.
In a recent ranking of the world's top 500 universities, JCU was one of only 15 Australian universities listed (Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Academic Ranking of World Universities 2007). In 2008, JCU is ranked in the 303-401 grouping compared to the 403-510 group in 2007.
In the Asia-Pacific region, James Cook University is ranked in the 42-68 grouping of the top 100 and nationally it is ranked in the 10 to 14 grouping. Both are improvements on the University’s ranking in 2007.
Comprehensive study options
Undergraduate and postgraduate courses span the Arts, Business, Creative Arts, Education, Engineering, Law, Medicine and Health Sciences, Science, Information Technology and Social Sciences. We aim to give graduates the qualifications and skills they need for the global workforce. Local industries and professions contribute to course content, and many courses include work placement schemes.
Leading research
JCU’s vision is to be one of the world’s leading research universities in the tropics. JCU is home to more than 20 specialist centres and institutes, and maintains island, rainforest and outback research stations. More than $23 million in research funding is received annually. Areas of research focus include: biodiversity, sustainable management of tropical ecosystems, global warming, tropical agriculture, tropical health care in remote communities and cultural diversity.
Tropical Northern Queensland – a natural place for study
Tropical northern Queensland is a remarkable region. Townsville and Cairns are thriving coastal cities, each with populations of more than 130,000. More than two million visitors a year come to experience the World Heritage listed natural wonders in our region – the Great Barrier Reef and the rainforests of the Wet Tropics. These ancient environments offer rich teaching and research opportunities for our students and staff. More and more Australian and international students are discovering the advantages of tropical Queensland as a study location. Find out more about Tropical Northern Queensland.
Student support
JCU has a commitment to making university education accessible and achievable for a wider range of people. Our preparatory courses, entrance schemes and student support programs encourage this objective.
Find out more about JCU at our Visitors, Future Students and Research pages.