Exchange

Accommodation and living costs

North Queensland offers a unique combination of stunning climate, pollution-free environment, multicultural population, and a significantly lower cost of living than other Australian cities. Learn more about Townsville and Cairns.

You can apply to live on campus through the JCU Accommodation Service. Learn more about accommodation options in Townsville and Cairns.

There are also off-campus accommodation options available.

Field trips

JCU students participate in hands-on learning in unique and spectacular locations including the Australia Outback and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed rainforests of the Wet Tropics and the Great Barrier Reef. Many JCU subjects include field trips (additional fees apply) to various locations within our unique region.

Before applying, please consider all required expenses, including fees and costs which must be paid upon acceptance of your offer, as well as any additional expenses you may need to pay when you arrive. All upfront payments will be detailed in your Letter of Offer.

As an Exchange student you will continue to pay tuition fees to your home institution for the duration of your exchange.

The Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) for Study Abroad and Exchange students is determined by the length of time you study at JCU. Students studying for 12 months will pay 100% of the maximum permissible amount for the calendar year. Students studying for 6 months will pay 50% of the maximum permissible amount for the calendar year.

Check the current SSAF amounts and SSAF payment procedure for more information.

JCU has partner universities around the world, and gains partners consistently. Check the official list of exchange partner universities to see if your university can facilitate your journey to JCU.

• View all exchange partner universities

OSHC is insurance to assist international students in meeting the costs of medical and hospital care that they may need while in Australia. International students in Australia must hold OSHC for the duration of their stay in Australia, as a condition of their student visa.

An estimated OSHC premium is provided to students in their JCU Letter of Offer, along with further details about how to make any adjustments to cover as required, including adding family members to your policy.

Most students are required to pay the OSHC premium upon acceptance of the JCU offer. If you are applying through a partner institution, or have an official sponsorship recognised by JCU, payment will be arranged in accordance with the relevant agreement.

Learn more about OSHC in this overview, including potential exceptions.

Undergraduate entry requirements
You must have successfully completed 6 months of full-time study at a recognised higher education institution and received a minimum cumulative GPA of 4.9 out of 7.0, or minimum average results of approximately 65-70%.

You may be eligible to apply directly after high school and must provide your High School Certificate (or equivalent). These applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Postgraduate entry requirements
You must have successfully completed a Bachelor's degree or equivalent from a recognised higher education institution.

English language entry requirements
Students whose native language is not English must generally demonstrate their proficiency by achieving a score in a test such as Academic IELTS, TOEFL or Pearson (PTE Academic). Other English language tests may be accepted as proof of English language proficiency.

View the full overview of entry requirement details.