Early Offer Program

If you’re in Year 12 and graduating this year, you may be able to receive an early offer for a course. To participate in JCU’s Early Offer Program work with your school on a recommendation and list JCU as your first preference in QTAC when applications open. To support your success at uni you may be required to meet entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.

Frequently Asked Questions

Talk to your school Guidance Officer/Careers Adviser about your intent to study at James Cook University next year and that you'd like to be considered for the Early Offer Program. They can assist you with completion of the Nomination Form to provide to your school for consideration.

Your school will then submit a recommendation based on your academic performance, motivation, talents, passion and capabilities to demonstrate your likelihood of success at university.

Receiving an early offer will allow you to start making plans for next year now! You will also have access to JCU’s support services earlier, ensuring you have a seamless transition to university life.

Early offers are available for most campus locations in Australia. This includes Brisbane, Cairns, Mackay, Mount Isa and Townsville. Be sure to have a look at the course information to see if your preferred course is offered near you.

The Early Offer Program allows students to receive a conditional offer within 48 hours of receipt of their recommendation. This will allow you to start making plans for next year now!

Offer Terms and Conditions

You will still need to lodge a QTAC Application after applications open on 2 August 2022. A JCU course that participates in the Early Offer Program must be listed as your first preference for you to receive your official offer.

Offers will be conditional on completion of the Queensland Certificate of Education (or equivalent). Other conditions may also apply which will be outlined in the offer.

Yes, if you plan to apply for the Bachelor of Dental Surgery, Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery, Bachelor of Nursing Science – Bachelor of Midwifery, or Bachelor of Veterinary Science, you can still receive an early offer for another course. To do so:

  1. Complete your Early Offer Nomination Form, nominating a course that is included in the Early Offer Program.
  2. Receive your Early Offer email from JCU 48 hours after your school has submitted the Nomination Form.
  3. Once QTAC Applications open on 2 August 2022, lodge a QTAC application listing your nominated Early Offer course as your first preference and any excluded courses you wish to apply for as lower preferences.
  4. After you receive your early offer from QTAC, reorder your preferences to list any excluded courses you wish to apply for as your highest preferences.

You'll need to accept or decline your early offer but you can defer your QTAC offer after it is issued.

Any domestic student who is currently undertaking Year 12 or the International Baccalaureate qualification in Australia can apply.

International students completing Year 12 in Australia can apply directly to JCU at any time to be considered for a conditional offer.

Information for Schools

16 May 2022 - Nominations open

2 August 2022 - QTAC Applications open

14 October 2022 - Nominations close

Schools are encouraged to adopt a process which fits with their academic and career programs. JCU is not prescriptive in how this assessment process is managed within schools.

The recommendation should be based on the student's academic performance, motivation, talents, passion and capabilities to demonstrate their likelihood of success at university.

Schools will be able to recommend their students for an Early Offer or Early Packaged Offer.

Download the Information for Schools Guide (PDF, 1914 KB).

A packaged offer is a combination of two or more offers, for example, a pathway course such as the Certificate of Higher Education or the Diploma of Higher Education followed by a Bachelor course. Depending on the course, transition to the Bachelor course is conditional on successful completion of all, or part, of the pathway course. Packaged offers allow students to access additional support, while studying prerequisites and meeting other entry requirements for their preferred degree. Students who successfully complete the pathway course and meet the conditions of their bachelor offer are guaranteed a place in the bachelor course.

No, there is no limit.

No, registration is not required for schools to participate. We will accept applications from Year 12 students from all schools.