Indigenous Education and Research Centre Experience and prepare for uni Summer School

Summer School

Are You Currently in Year 12 and Planning to Study in 2027?

Our intensive preparatory program is now open to you! This is the perfect opportunity for you to build knowledge and skills to commence university studies next year.

JCU’s IERC Summer School for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students

The Summer School offers pre-program sessions for prospective Indigenous school leavers seeking entry to JCU in 2027. It runs over five days during the Summer school holidays and is taught by the Indigenous Education and Research Centre (IERC). The focus is on building capabilities in Math, English, Chemistry, and tertiary study skills. IERC staff run the program and supervise academic and recreational activities, with support from Indigenous Student Ambassadors at JCU. The students will live on campus and take part in academic lectures and team-building activities. This interaction offers opportunities to meet University staff and fellow students and build relationships within the program.

JCU covers all costs associated with the program, including travel to and from Townsville, as well as accommodation and catering for all participants. Accommodation is at the Saints Residential College on the Bebegu Yumba campus, where students will be fully supervised at all times. On-campus accommodation allows for a complete university experience!

You will get to participate in experiments and develop critical reading and writing skills. Our sessions will introduce you to:

Academic literacy;
Mathematics; and
Chemistry

Come along to boost your confidence and skills and prepare your future with this higher education opportunity!

IERC Summer School Program 2025

Summer School 2025 Highlights

Check out the highlights from the 2025 IERC Summer School.

For the full story, click to read JCU's media release: JCU’s Indigenous Summer School sets up students for success

2025 Summer School Gallery

"I attended Summer School in 2022 after graduating from Tully State High School. Summer School showed me what it is like to be in university and all the support available for Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander people. With the help of the IERC, I was able to study a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (honours) the following year.

Summer School helped me connect with people from the IERC, which has made me feel comfortable with the move to Townsville. As the first in my family to attend university and move away, I found the support from the IERC made the transition easier.

It has been so lovely to know so many friendly faces at university and to have the place feel like home. It’s so crazy to see that all I have achieved in these past couple of years began with Summer School!"

Piper

Current JCU student

Summer School Alumni