Key Facts and General Information

Campus located at:                            Townsville (main campus), Cairns

Student Numbers on Campus:          18,000+ (14,000 Townsville and 3,000 in Cairns)
Semester Abroad Requirements:    2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) required
Full Degree Requirements:               Details on university web site
Australian Government Accreditation (CRICOS) code: 00117J
Accredited for US financial aid:      Yes
Overseas students can apply for :  Semester, year abroad, Internships, Bachelors, Graduate Diplomas, Masters, PhDs/Doctorate
University Web Site:                          www.jcu.edu.au

The AEC acknowledges that much of the information on this page is from university resources.

James Cook University (JCU) is the second oldest university in Queensland and Australia’s leading university in the tropics. It offers excellence in teaching and research and is a vibrant, multi campus university with its main sites in the tropical Queensland cities of Townsville and Cairns and modern city campuses in Singapore and Brisbane. Approximately 4,000 international students from 100 countries currently study at JCU.

JCU study areas include the arts and humanities, business, the creative arts, education, engineering, health sciences, information technology, law, medicine, social sciences and science. The university is recognized around the world for its expertise in marine biololgy, environmental studies, tropical health and tourism. JCU’s marine science degrees are the first outside of Europe to be recognized by the International Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology. Importantly, JCU works with employers and industry to ensure that courses are relevant, cutting edge and is constantly adapting and updating its programs to meet students’ demands.

With friendly campuses, smaller class sizes, accessible teaching staff, and excellent support services including study skills and student mentor programs, students receive the personal attention they need to achieve their best.  JCU teaching staff are highly qualified and dedicated and many academics are considered to be leaders in their fields. As a leading research university, JCU provides excellent facilities for teaching and learning. Much research focus is based on the industries and environments of northern Australia including marine biology, tropical environment studies, earth sciences/geology, engineering, tropical health and tourism. Specialist research facilities range from island and rainforest field stations, research vessels and satellite technology, to biomedical laboratories and historical collections and more than 20 specialist research centres.

Significant for JCU students in Australia is the university's unique natural location. Tropical northern Queensland attracts over two million visitors each year who come to experience the Great Barrier Reef and the islands and rainforests of the Wet Tropics - both World Heritage listed environments. Visitors and residents enjoy a huge range of leisure activities including diving on the reef, visiting the ancient rainforests and waterfalls in the many national parks, bushwalking, camping, fishing and visiting historic outback regions or the picturesque farming villages of the Atherton Tablelands.

Read more information about the university at:

www.jcu.edu.au/international

Eligibility

For Semester and Year Abroad:

Required: GPA 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
Students must have completed at least 1 semester study at home school before going abroad.

For Full Degree Programs:

Entry requirements vary based on the qualification which the student has applied for. Entry requirements by degree/study area can be found at www.jcu.edu.au/international/entry

Additional notes:

Students undertaking or with completed community college study may apply as `transfer’ students to the university.

Prospective Research Masters and/or PhD/Doctoral students must begin dialogue with relevant faculty at the university to begin discussions on potential supervisors. This will make the process easier when applying as students will be able to list their `potential’ supervisors with whom they have already discussed (via email or phone) their research. Research students are also required to submit an Abstract or other summary of their research proposal with their applications to undertake research based degrees.
Please also read the section on `Planning…’ to understand the process of admission.

Any tuition fees listed on this page are listed in local currency. Therefore, use the currency converter here to convert prices into US Dollars or any other currency.

As a direct enrolled student through the AEC Program, students pay the university’s advertised tuition costs. Semester and year abroad students can check the consolidated price list for semester and year abroad programs at all universities here. Information also includes cost of medical insurance, books, international airfare and visa. In this way, you will be able to better budget for your overseas study experience. It is not possible to provide a consolidated list of full degree program costs because costs vary based on subject, degree type and other factors. Refer university web site direct for individual degree costs or check with the AEC.

Tuition Fee:

Semester Abroad      A$   8,200*
Year Abroad              A$ 16,400*
Full Degrees               Tuition depends on the Field of Study - see www.jcu.edu.au/international/fees

* The university has a range of field trips on offer as part of semester/year abroad, provided students are participating in specific subject areas. Cost of participation in the field trips ranges from free to A$ 600. Refer page 13-16 within the JCU study abroad book here. ()

List of semester/year abroad prices of all universities in consolidated list here.

Housing Fee:

The university has a comprehensive housing website here.
Allow A$ 3200-4000 per semester based on your housing preference. Cost of housing is based on your preference.

The AEC will assist with all housing arrangements after you have completed your application for entry to this university through the AEC. Step by step guidelines are provided by the AEC as it supports students through the maze of housing.
Housing options at this university include:

• On campus residence halls, many with meals plans
• Off campus residence halls
• Off campus shared housing

The AEC does recommend full degree students consider off campus, university or private provider housing arrangements which are far lower in cost than on campus housing. The AEC will work with students on a one on one basis to provide the best possible option based on student’s need and availability.

The university is accredited by the US Department of Education for the purpose of financial aid. This means students who would normally qualify for US financial aid to attend a US school, can take this aid to study at the overseas university. There is also information about working whilst studying for those students wanting to work part time (whilst studying) as a means of gaining paid overseas work experience and/or simply earning some money whilst studying.

Semester & Year Abroad Students:

Comprehensive information on financial aid for semester/year abroad is listed here.
Information about scholarships is listed here.

Semester and year abroad students will require their home schools to agree to their aid being disbursed for their programs abroad.  The AEC will provide advice and assistance with this process where possible. Read the information at `Comparing programs …’ and the `Direct enrollment’ service to understand what the AEC offers students in terms of affordable programs.

Full Degree Students:

As the university is accredited by the US Department of Education for the purpose of financial aid, students wanting to undertake their full degree at the university will be able to do so, subject to completion of their SAR reports and other documentation.

Once the student has applied to the university through the AEC program, the AEC will provide relevant information to ensure that the student begins the process of financial aid. More information is also available in the `Planning….’ Section of the website. Read also information on scholarships and financial aid.

Please be aware that payment of medical health insurance is mandatory as a requirement for obtaining a student visa. Medical insurance cost is A$195 per semester or A$388 per year. The AEC will make arrangements to ensure that you are notified about your medical insurance arrangements as part of the enrollment process. The AEC does also recommend students undertake optional travel and accident insurance coverage when purchasing their airline tickets.

Semester & Year Abroad:

The AEC does accept applications on a rolling basis. It is however,  recommended that students apply 5 months ahead of time to ensure that the AEC is able to assist with all services such as subject selection/credit transfer, housing, visa, pre-departure, travel, arrival, etc.

Options for Semester Abroad:    February to June or July to November
Options for Year Abroad:            February to November or July to June
Note: The Year Abroad beginning in July is longer due to the summer holidays from Dec to Feb.

2010 Arrival dates for campus orientation:
February 2010 start date: campus orientation dates 15-19 February 2010
July 2010 start date:  campus orientation dates 19-23 July 2010.

Full Degree Applicants:

Full Degrees and Other Programs: Apply 4-6 months ahead of time except for courses that have particular deadlines or are in higher demand e.g. medicine, music etc. Refer the faculty/department information on the university’s web site. Students considering medical school and some key subject areas such as music must apply well ahead of time. Refer the faculty/department information on the university’s web site.

Arrival and Orientation

The AEC in consultation with the university arranges your pre-departure advising and arrival arrangements. The university will provide a mandatory comprehensive orientation program for all incoming international students. The program usually begins 7-10 days prior to start of semester classes.

To ensure that students are offered direct enrollment, the AEC does not include mandatory travel tours as part of the study abroad program as this increases study abroad program costs. See the information in comparing programs. The AEC therefore, offers optional tours if a student requests these prior to the on campus orientation which is already provided free of charge by universities within their tuition costs. For example, the AEC is able to offer the `Experience Australia’ program in Cairns or Sydney. Most universities also offer optional travel tours.

Refer to the section on the `Experience Australia’ optional program and the section on `Internships and Travel’.

Additional information about orientation is here.

Fields of Study - Subjects

List of fields of study are listed within this section.

Instructions for Semester and Year Abroad students: 

Students must choose undergraduate subjects within the broad fields of study listed below. The AEC will provide students instructions on how to choose subjects, where to find subject listings (usually through web links) and assist with subject transfer arrangements with home school, after a student has lodged an application to the university through the AEC program.

Instructions for Full Degree applicants: 

Students may choose their degrees from the various faculties and departments of the universities - see below.

Fields of study/subjects are listed in ALPHABETICAL order.

Accounting, Agriculture, Anthropology, Aquaculture, Archaeology, Asia-Pacific Community Development, Australian Studies
Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Botany, Business
Chemistry, Chinese, Communications, Computer Science, Creative Media, Criminology, Cultural Heritage Studies
Digital Media, Digital Visual Arts
Earth Sciences, Ecology, Economics, Education, Engineering, English, Environmental Science
French
Geography, Geology, German, Graphic Design
History, Hospitality Management
Indigenous Australian Studies, Information Technology, International Business
Japanese, Journalism
Law
Management, Marine Biology, Marketing, Mathematics, Microbiology, Music
Nursing
Occupational Therapy
Pharmacology, Physics, Physiology, Politics and International Relations, Psychology, Public Relations
Rainforest Science
Social Science, Sociology, Speech Pathology, Sport and Exercise Science.
Theatre, Tropical Biology, Tourism
Visual Arts
Women’s Studies
Zoology

Students may navigate information about Degrees and Courses (and subjects available) by going to  www.jcu.edu.au/courses

Students wanting to view JCU’s sample study packages (combination of subjects) should view www.jcu.edu.au/international/studyabroad

Support Service in North America

Students lodging applications for semester, year abroad and full degree programs through the AEC direct enrollment service pay no additional fees to the AEC.

The AEC offers students a direct enrollment service which include the following: advising/counseling about study options, access to online resources, application and enrollment in the overseas university, assistance with financial aid/scholarship documentation, assistance with subject selection, student visa, housing, payment arrangements, pre-departure advising and arrangements and of course on-arrival arrangements.

The AEC also ensures that health and safety information is provided to all AEC students.

In addition, full degree students lodging applications through the AEC will on request receive a free `Wheels of Diplomacy & Australian Seat of Government’ 3 night arrival and tour program to Australia’s Capital, Canberra. The free tour includes travel from Sydney to Canberra.

For a complete list of services offered by the AEC to students click here. 

Apply Now - APPLICATIONS!

Semester & Year Abroad Students

If you are applying for a semester or year abroad you must:
Complete the AEC online application here

OR

Download, the AEC application here, complete and mail to the AEC (mailing address listed below).

Separately, you must also arrange the following:

Request your home school to forward to the AEC an official transcript.
Provide your Adviser, the Faculty Recommendation Form  and request your Adviser to mail, fax or email  the form to the AEC.
 
Send to the AEC, 2 passport size photographs (approximately 2 x 2 inches) with your full name clearly marked.
Send a $50 program deposit to the AEC. Details of the deposit are listed here. Cheque payment must be made to: Connections Abroad LLC, the manager of the AEC Program.
Address:
            Australian Education Connection
            5722 S. Flamingo Rd #303
            Ft Lauderdale FL 33330
Fax: 1-954-680-0597
Email:  applications@mystudyaustralia.com

Note:   You may send documentation as it becomes available. For example, you may send an online application, your parent may send on your behalf the program deposit of $50 in a separate envelope as long as your name is clearly listed on the cheque, your Adviser could send your academic reference in a separate envelope and you can send your photos when available (as long as your full name is listed at the back of the photographs!). The AEC can accommodate these arrangements as long as you list your name on all documentation to the AEC.

Full Degree Applicants

Students undertaking a full degree, whether a Bachelors, Graduate Diploma, Masters or PhD must complete:

University specific application form for admission to the university.  These forms must be downloaded from the university’s web site, completed and returned to the AEC.
If the applications are sent directly to the university and/or the applications are completed online at the university’s web site, the student will not be able to access services offered through the AEC program.

OR

If the university specific forms are not readily available on the university web site, then please complete the online AEC generic full degree application form here or you may download the generic application form here , complete and return to the AEC.  The AEC will then send you the relevant university specific forms via download.  To use the free services offered by the  AEC, applications to the university must be lodged through the AEC Program.

Separately, you must also arrange the following:

Request your current and/or last school to forward your official transcripts to the AEC.
Provide any recommendation/referee reports requested on the university’s application form. If you not completing the university’s form (to send to the AEC) and instead completing the AEC generic form, you need not send these recommendations/referee reports. (The AEC will request these when required.)
Send a $100 program deposit to the AEC.  Cheque payment must be made to: Connections Abroad LLC, the manager of the AEC Program.
Address:
            Australian Education Connection
            5722 S. Flamingo Rd #303
            Ft Lauderdale FL 33330
Fax: 1-954-680-0597
Email:  applications@mystudyaustralia.com

Note:   You may send documentation as it becomes available. For example, you may complete an online application, your parent may send on your behalf the program deposit of $100 in a separate envelope as long as your name is clearly listed on the cheque, your references can arrive in a separate envelope, etc. The AEC can accommodate these arrangements as long as your full name is listed in your documentation.

Student Visa

The AEC will advise you about your student visa application process as soon as you have completed the formal process of admission and enrollment. 

Students should be aware that it is not possible to obtain a student visa without first applying for admission to the program, being offered admission and then either paying the university your first semester’s tuition fees  and/or securing agreements between your school and the overseas university about the payment of your fees through financial aid and/or student loans.

The AEC assists with these arrangements and will advise you through each step of the process.

Airfares and Tourism, City and State Information

Once you have completed your initial admission procedures to the university through the AEC program, the AEC will forward you information about booking your travel to the overseas destination and your overseas university.

As airfares fluctuate and travel agencies provide special deals to students, the AEC will provide contact details of travel agencies, airlines and online services which offer good arrangements. You have complete flexibility in using any of the travel agencies the AEC advises you of, or making your own arrangements. The AEC does enter into exclusive contractual arrangements that restrict students to a particular itinerary.

The AEC encourages students to make the most of their travel to Australia and/or New Zealand and therefore, provides much information on tours, stopovers and other itineraries. Note that Australian and New Zealand universities also offer optional tours and/or other activities for inbound students.

Tourism and City/State Information
www.tropicalnorthqueensland.com.au/

Thinking about cheap backpacker hostels in Australia, check out:
www.yha.com.au/hostels/search/region.cfm?regionid=62
www.nomadsworld.com/

Other Study Options

Other:

Look at Menu at left on this site if you wish to pursue:   Working Holiday Visa Options, Internships and Travel (after your semester abroad), Summer/Winter/Short Programs and the processes for these.

DOWNLOADS - useful material

International Publications from the university which contain plenty of good information. If wanting assistance through the AEC, please make sure that your application is lodged to the AEC and not the university direct.

www.jcu.edu.au/international/publications

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