Students getting down to business at JCU

Students getting down to business at JCU

First published 16 January, 2013

Business courses are a popular choice at James Cook University in Townsville in 2013, with a 16 per cent increase recorded in this week’s major round of tertiary offers.

University applicants across the State will be able to access the major round of tertiary offers for Semester 1, 2013 at about 1am tomorrow (Thursday, 17 January).

JCU will make a total of 3085 offers in this QTAC offer round, 41 more offers than were made in the same offer round last year. When the offers made in November and December are included, though, a marginally smaller number of places (38) have been offered by JCU than at the same time in 2012.

Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Chris Cocklin said across all campuses, JCU’s first-preference applications were up by 1.6 per cent compared to last year, and all applications were up by 1.5 per cent.

“While the number of applications increased, the University has maintained its entry requirements from 2012 into 2013 and the result is a very small decrease in the total number of offers thus far.

“There has been steady growth in the number of places offered over the past three years, and to be able to essentially maintain this growth into 2013 is pleasing,” Professor Cocklin said.

At the same time last year, the Allied Health courses recorded the highest percentage increases in the number of offers, but in 2013 Business, Information Technology and Engineering have had the largest increases in offers in percentage terms, he said.

“Applications for IT in Townsville are up by 29 per cent, Engineering is up by 18 per cent, and Business courses have recorded 16 per cent increase in the number of offers made.”

JCU’s Cairns campus showed a similar increase in interest in Engineering (up 22 per cent), while Nursing was proving popular at JCU’s study centre in Mount Isa, with 10 more offers made for 2013 than in 2012.

Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Head of Faculty of Law, Business & Creative Arts Professor Robyn McGuiggan, said the increased interest in the Bachelor of Business degree coincided with an extensive revision of the program for 2013.

“This is the first business degree in Australia to be built around sustainability - economic, social, cultural and environmental,” Professor McGuiggan said.

“An online version of the course has been included for the first time, allowing students to design their study program around their own needs. In addition, the course provides opportunities for students to complete part of their course at our Singapore campus, helping prepare them for work in the Asian century.

“To ensure are graduates are ‘job ready’, work integrated learning is embedded throughout the course, culminating in engagement in a project with one of our industry partners.”

Key growth areas in Townsville include:

• A 29% increase (an additional 11 offers) in IT

• A 15 % increase (additional 12 offers) in Bachelor of Physiotherapy

• A 16% increase (an additional 37 offers) in Business

• An 18% increase (additional 31 offers) in Engineering

Applicants can find out if they have received an offer at www.qtac.com.au from 1am, Thursday January 17. Offers will also be posted to successful applicants.

Media enquiries: Professor Chris Cocklin 0427 765 470 or Professor Robyn McGuiggan on (07) 4781 6809.

JCU Media contact: Caroline Kaurila (07) 4781 4586 or 0437 028 175.