Future Students Schools Widening Participation

Widening Participation

JCU is committed to providing opportunities to widen participation and increase access to post-school pathways and tertiary study from identified equity groups.

Under the Higher Education Participation and Partnership Program (HEPPP) JCU seeks to engage the greatest number of school students from Years 7 to 12 to participate in activities and events which stimulate interest in tertiary studies, regardless of the particular institution, based on the student’s interest and abilities.

Founded on the broad aims of raising aspiration to, awareness of and successful transition to higher education, JCU will provide funding support to identified schools to participate in engagement activities

To assist schools and students from our targeted equity groups with the cost of attending our on campus events, JCU will support travel subsidies to enable students to attend the JCU University Experience events in either Cairns or Townsville. To apply, please complete the Travel Subsidy Application form

Outreach at JCU offer dedicated outreach programs for primary and secondary students designed to build student confidence and capacity for study. Underpinned by university and Commonwealth Government funding, our activities aim to inspire students and increase tertiary education for low-socio economic, regional and remote, and Indigenous students. Explore the Your School and Us guide to discover opportunities for your school to get involved with JCU's Outreach program. Please contact outreach@jcu.edu.au for more information and bookings.

The Outreach Team are available to travel to your school and deliver in school activities to the following regions:

  • Cooktown
  • Cairns and Atherton Tablelands
  • Mt Isa
  • Weipa
  • Torres Strait
  • Townsville to Proserpine, including west to Cloncurry

At James Cook University (JCU), we believe education should be accessible by everyone and recognise the financial burden some families face when applying for a university course through Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC). If you live in Central, North or Far North Queensland we invite you to apply for a QTAC voucher to cover the cost of your QTAC application fee.

Complete the Pre Paid QTAC Voucher form here.

QTAC vouchers:

  • Cover the cost of submitting a QTAC application to any Queensland University
  • Support students who may otherwise face financial barriers to applying
  • Are available to students who meet widening participation eligibility criteria
  • Vouchers are limited and allocated through an application process.

The inaugural James Cook University (JCU) Navigate YOU Summit is a live-in program offering current Year 10 students the chance to experience university life during the school holidays. The program is an entirely immersive residential program that is fully funded by JCU.

Program Details

Dates: Monday 5 – Friday 9 July 2027 (Week two of school holidays).

Location: JCU Townsville, Bebegu Yumba campus, Douglas.

Staying on Campus: Accommodation is in the residential colleges on JCU campus with catering provided for all participants while on campus. Residential participants will be supervised by JCU staff.

Cost free: JCU will coordinate and provide all travel, accommodation and meals for students.

Applications for the 2027 program will be released at the beginning of 2026.

University Experience (UniX) for Year 8 students, brings together schools from across North & Far North Queensland to provide a first-hand experience of university life, provide students with a day of immersive experiences and explore various study taster activities.

Program Details

Dates: Monday 23 – Friday 27 November 2026

Locations: JCU Townsville, Bebegu Yumba campus, Douglas & JCU Cairns, Nguma-bada campus, Smithfield

Travelling to Campus: Schools are eligible for Travel Subsidies to assist in minimising costs, please refer to the following webpage for bursary allocations and eligibility criteria: Outreach Travel Subsidy

School Registration: To ensure your school is registered to attend, please use the following link to help better plan your visit to JCU: UniX School Registration

To discuss our programs in more detail or to organise an in school visit, please contact one of our team members