Programs

Bachelor of Education (Primary)

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)

The Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) program at James Cook University equips you with advanced knowledge in mathematics, physics, and science, combined with analytical problem-solving skills. This degree is designed to foster creative thinking and the development of innovative solutions. You'll gain hands-on experience through laboratory classes, field trips, and real-world scenario-based lessons. The program offers twelve weeks of work placements with industry partners, providing opportunities for practical experience, and potentially paid work and future employment. Graduates are prepared for diverse engineering careers, with opportunities to work on infrastructure projects, sustainable technologies, and in digital and data spheres. The curriculum culminates in a fourth-year Honours project and thesis, where you'll research an industry issue and design a solution. This degree is accredited by Engineers Australia, preparing you for work in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, or Asia.

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)

Bachelor of Information Technology

The Bachelor of Information Technology at James Cook University (JCU) prepares you for a dynamic career in the technology sector. You will gain in-depth knowledge of software development and management, web design, internet fundamentals, and database modelling. The program emphasizes practical application through internships, workshops, and project-based assessments, fostering essential skills for problem-solving and digital leadership in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. You'll study areas like software engineering, networking, cloud computing, cybersecurity, machine learning, and artificial intelligence, with opportunities to focus your studies through various minors.

Bachelor of Laws

The Bachelor of Laws at James Cook University (JCU) provides a comprehensive legal education designed to equip you with the skills to review contracts, argue cases, negotiate settlements, and understand constitutional law. You'll gain a multidisciplinary and practical understanding of core legal concepts and learn to apply them in various contexts, including contract, criminal, company, and administrative law. The program is accredited by the Legal Practitioners Admission Board for admission to practice law in Queensland. Graduates will need to complete practical legal training to become solicitors or barristers. This 3-year full-time program, with options for part-time study and dual degrees, allows for specialization in chosen areas of law. The curriculum focuses on building a strong legal foundation in the first year, delving into specific areas like property, criminal, and tort law in the second year, and advancing knowledge in administration, equity, trusts, company, and constitutional law in the third year. JCU offers a flexible learning environment with hybrid options, tutorials, workshops, and integrated technology, including e-court facilities on the Cairns campus.

Bachelor of Marine Science

Explore dynamic marine and coastal systems with a Bachelor of Marine Science. This program provides a comprehensive scientific education with a strong emphasis on hands-on experience. You will develop expertise in marine technologies, including seabed mapping and fish assessment sonar, and oceanographic sensors. The degree focuses on understanding and managing human impacts on marine environments and ensuring the sustainability of ocean and coastal ecosystems. You'll gain practical skills through fieldwork at JCU's Orpheus Island Research Station and on the Great Barrier Reef, as well as in advanced research aquariums and laboratories.

Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery

James Cook University's Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery program is designed for aspiring medical professionals. This degree focuses on socially accountable medicine, equipping graduates with the skills needed to make a significant impact in healthcare, whether by serving underserved communities or contributing to medical research and discovery. JCU graduates are prepared for a fulfilling career that offers opportunities for adventure, skill development, and societal contribution.

Bachelor of Nursing Science [Pre-Registration]

This Bachelor of Nursing Science (Pre-Registration) degree prepares you to become a registered nurse, with a special focus on providing effective healthcare in rural and remote settings. You will learn to communicate with diverse populations, plan and deliver contemporary care at individual and community levels, and gain eligibility to apply for Registered Nurse (Division 1) registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. The program emphasizes hands-on learning, with extensive supervised professional practice and clinical experience integrated from your first year.

Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)

This Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) program equips you with the skills and knowledge to help individuals overcome injuries or disabilities, enabling them to participate more fully in daily life. You will learn therapeutic approaches to maximize clients' capabilities and engagement in activities important to them, covering self-care, work, school, and leisure. The curriculum integrates human anatomy, physiology, psychosocial factors, and neurological determinants of occupation, alongside lifespan development and health promotion. The program emphasizes practical skills from the first year, preparing you for effective healthcare practice and understanding the role of occupational therapists within broader health systems.

Bachelor of Science

The Bachelor of Science at James Cook University offers a comprehensive and flexible pathway into the world of scientific discovery. You will build a strong foundation in core scientific principles during your first year, then have the opportunity to specialize in one or two chosen disciplines through a wide selection of majors. This program emphasizes hands-on learning, utilizing unique North Queensland environments like the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest, alongside state-of-the-art laboratory facilities. With small class sizes, you'll benefit from close interaction with expert academics and build professional networks. The curriculum is designed to equip you with advanced practical skills and a drive for discovery, preparing you for a career in diverse scientific fields. Graduates are career-ready with a deep understanding relevant to global challenges, particularly in tropical regions.

Bachelor of Social Work

Bachelor of Tourism, Hospitality and Events

This degree is designed to prepare you for a dynamic career in the tourism, hospitality, and events industry. You will gain practical skills and knowledge focused on experience, sustainability, and future trends, particularly within tropical environments. The program emphasizes building industry networks through guest lecturers, field trips, and industry assessments. A significant component involves 400 hours of professional practice and skills development, including opportunities for internships with industry partners, and you'll earn qualifications like barista, RSA, and HACCP.

Diploma of Business [Pathway]

Diploma of Information Technology [Pathway]

This diploma is designed to equip you with essential analytical and problem-solving skills for a career in Information Technology. You will learn to analyze, synthesize, and integrate information to perform technical services and tailor solutions to specific needs. Upon successful completion, you will gain direct entry into the second year of the Bachelor of Information Technology at James Cook University, potentially shortening your overall degree duration. The program focuses on fundamentals of problem-solving, programming, machine learning, and data analysis, preparing you for diverse IT roles.

General University Information - James Cook University

James Cook University (JCU) offers a unique educational experience shaped by its history and location, focusing on research and teaching that makes a difference. JCU is committed to addressing global challenges, particularly those relevant to the Tropics, and provides a supportive environment for students to explore, discover, and grow. The university aims to prepare students for the challenges of a 21st-century career, fostering innovation and practical learning through advanced facilities and unique study opportunities.

Graduate Certificate of Career Development

Advance your career by becoming an expert in career development. This Graduate Certificate program, endorsed by the Career Industry Council of Australia (CICA), can be completed in under a year through flexible online, part-time study. You will explore foundational and contemporary theories of career development, learn approaches to career counselling, and understand industry professional standards. The course is designed to help you collect and analyse information on real-world issues impacting the world of work, such as automation, artificial intelligence, climate change, and globalisation. You'll also develop critical skills in communication, collaboration, adaptability, resilience, critical thinking, and digital literacy.

Graduate Certificate of Diabetes Education

This program is designed for healthcare professionals who want to enhance their skills in providing diabetes self-management education. It focuses on equipping nurses and allied health professionals with the knowledge and practical skills needed to support individuals with or at risk of diabetes. The course emphasizes clinical issues relevant to working in rural and remote settings, including cultural competency when caring for Australia's First Nations people. Graduates will be eligible for accreditation with the Australian Diabetes Educators Association (ADEA).

Graduate Certificate of Education

Graduate Certificate of Nursing

The Graduate Certificate of Nursing is designed for registered nurses seeking to advance their skills and knowledge in specialized areas. This program offers flexible online study options, allowing you to balance professional development with your existing commitments. Upon completion, you will gain advanced competencies applicable to various healthcare settings, including rural, remote, and Indigenous communities.

Graduate Certificate of Project Management

This Graduate Certificate equips you with essential skills to guide businesses through change and uncertainty by focusing on strategy, risk, and asset management. It's designed to make you a highly sought-after professional, capable of achieving significant results. The program addresses the growing need for project management expertise across various industries and governmental bodies, contributing to the prosperity, health, safety, and sustainability of communities. You will learn to manage projects effectively by staying aware of industry trends and needs, ensuring economic, social, environmental, and cultural sustainability. The course uses real-world case studies and corporate-world project-based assessments to develop your cognitive, technical, and communication skills, preparing you to lead and advise business enterprises. The blended learning environment combines online study with intensive face-to-face workshops, allowing for flexible engagement. Upon completion, you will have mastered key skills in linear project planning, strategy and leadership in asset management, risk management, and agile approaches for complex projects, which are identified as crucial for managing projects in today's dynamic environment.

Graduate Certificate of Psychology

James Cook University (JCU) offers a 100% online Graduate Certificate of Psychology designed for professionals in human-centred roles or those seeking to deepen their understanding of human behaviour. This flexible, part-time program allows you to study one subject at a time, completing the certificate in as little as eight months. The curriculum is aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and addresses current global challenges, offering a broad range of contemporary psychological topics. It provides a pathway for further study towards becoming a registered psychologist.

Graduate Diploma of Nursing