James Cook University in Singapore (JCU Singapore) is a branch campus of James Cook University, a public research university based in Australia.[3] Established in 2003, it is currently the only overseas institution with university status in Singapore.[3][12][13] It is located between Kallang and Geylang in the Central Region on the former site of the Manjusri Secondary School.[14]
 | |
| Motto | |
|---|---|
Motto in English | "Light ever increasing"[1] |
| Type | Branch campus |
| Established | 1961 (Australia)[2] 2003 (Singapore)[3] |
Parent institution | James Cook University |
| Accreditation | TEQSA[4] |
| Affiliation | Innovative Research Universities (IRU) |
| Chancellor | Ngiare Brown[5] |
| Vice-Chancellor | Simon Biggs[6] |
| Dean | K Thirumaran (acting) |
| Deputy Vice-Chancellor | Carole-Anne Upton[7] |
| Students | c. 4200 (2019)[8] |
| Address | 149 Sims Drive , Singapore[9] 1°18′56″N 103°52′34″E / 1.31556°N 103.87611°E |
| Campus | Urban park, 2.4 hectares (5.9 acres)[10] |
| Named after | James Cook[1] |
| Colors | Blue Gold [1] |
| Mascot | Koalion[11] |
| Website | jcu |
 | |
History
editJCU Singapore is a branch campus of James Cook University, which has its main Australian campus in Townsville, Queensland.[15] It was established in 2003 as the James Cook Institute of Higher Learning before receiving Singaporean university status in 2016.[13] Its courses are provided directly by the university and follow the same curriculum as they do in Australia.[16] It has seen enrolments rise as more students elect to acquire an Australian qualification in Singapore.[17]
Students studying at JCU Singapore can also transfer to JCU Australia and vice versa or participate in the Intercampus Exchange Program for up to 2 semesters of the course while still paying tuition to JCU Singapore.[18] Students at JCU Australia and other universities can also apply to study abroad at JCU Singapore.[19]
In 2015, the campus shifted to the site of the former Manjusri Secondary School located between Kallang and Geylang.[14] The new site is larger than the previous campus at 2.4 hectares (5.9 acres).[14]
In May 2016, the Singaporean and Australian governments concluded a review of the Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement, which added several measures to promote further cooperation on education.[13] As part of this agreement, JCU Singapore was awarded university status and permitted to brand itself as the Singaporean branch campus of James Cook University in July 2016.[3][12][13] It had previously been known as the James Cook Institute of Higher Learning.[13]
Academic profile
editPsychology clinic
editJames Cook University runs a psychology clinic from its Singapore campus which is open to members of the public.[20] The facility allows students studying at a master's level to gain practical experience under the supervision of qualified clinical psychologists and offers counselling services to the public at a reduced cost.[20]
| University rankings | |
|---|---|
| Global – Overall | |
| ARWU World[21] | 301-400 (2023) |
| QS World[22] | 445 (2025) |
| THE World[23] | 301-500 (2025) |
| USNWR Global[24] | 412 (2024/25) |
Academic reputation
editIn the 2023 Academic Ranking of World Universities, the university attained a position of #301-400.[21] In the 2025 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, the university attained a position of #301-500.[23] In the 2025 QS World University Rankings (published 2024), the university tied 445th place.[22] In the 2024-2025 U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities rankings, the university attained 412th place.[24] In the 2023 Aggregate Ranking of Top Universities, which measures aggregate performance across the QS, Times and ARWU rankings, the university attained a position of 317th place.[25]
Admissions
editJCU Singapore programs have academic entry requirements that vary based on the level and field of studies.[26] It also offers pathway programs that provide entry into programs.[27]
Undergraduate
editFor undergraduate courses, JCU Singapore's academic entry requirement is a high school certificate at level 12 or equivalent or a diploma from a polytechnic or other recognised institution. Students are also required to have attained JCU Singapore's English language pre-requisite.[26] Students not meeting the entry requirements can also enrol in pathway programs.[27]
Postgraduate
editFor postgraduate courses, JCU Singapore's academic entry requirement is usually a bachelor's degree or equivalent.[28] Doctoral program applicants are also required to have a Bachelor Honours or other post-graduate qualification.[29]
Graduate outcomes
editAccording to the Private Education Institution Graduate Employment Survey 2022/2023 conducted by the Committee for Private Education on employment outcomes, graduates of JCU Singapore achieved a 78.8% employment rate of which 50.5% was full-time employment.[30] The response rate to the survey was 21.7%.[30]
Academic calendar
editThe university runs on a trimester system, allowing students to complete their studies in a shorter period of time.[31] A majority of student intakes occur during March (SP51), July (SP52) and November (SP53).[32]
Notable people
editNotable alumni of James Cook University's Singapore campus include:
- Fong Kay Yian - Singaporean springboard diver[33]
- Nguyễn Huỳnh Kim Duyên - Vietnamese model and beauty pageant titleholder[34]
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Singapore is Carole-Anne Upton.[7]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e "James Cook University's Motto and Coat of Arms". James Cook University. Townsville, Queensland. 8 July 2020. Archived from the original on 25 July 2024. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
- ^ "Brief history of JCU (1957-2008)". James Cook University. Townsville, Queensland. Archived from the original on 4 May 2018. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
- ^ a b c d Davie, Sandra (11 May 2016). "James Cook to get coveted branch campus status". The Straits Times. Singapore: SPH Media Trust. ISSN 0585-3923. Archived from the original on 4 February 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
- ^ "James Cook University". Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency. Melbourne, Victoria. Archived from the original on 10 April 2024. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
- ^ "The Chancellor". James Cook University. Townsville, Queensland. 7 August 2024. Archived from the original on 18 May 2024. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
- ^ "Biography". James Cook University. Townsville, Queensland. 13 June 2022. Archived from the original on 22 July 2024. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
- ^ a b "Board of Directors". James Cook University Singapore. Singapore. 1 August 2024. Archived from the original on 2 October 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
- ^ "James Cook University eyes bigger pool of students after move to new campus". The Straits Times. 4 March 2015.
- ^ "Campus Contact Information". James Cook University. Townsville, Queensland. 19 August 2024. Archived from the original on 22 July 2024. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
- ^ "JCU Singapore moves to new campus". James Cook University. Townsville, Queensland. 1 January 2015. Archived from the original on 23 July 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
- ^ "Annual Report 2022" (PDF). James Cook University Singapore. Singapore. 2023. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 May 2024. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
- ^ a b "JCU's Singapore campus achieves University status". James Cook University. Townsville, Queensland. 6 May 2016. Archived from the original on 22 July 2024. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "MFA Press Statement Singapore-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Package". Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Singapore: Government of Singapore. 6 May 2016. Archived from the original on 4 February 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
- ^ a b c Davie, Sandra (5 August 2014). "James Cook University Singapore to get bigger campus at Sims Drive". The Straits Times. Singapore: SPH Media Trust. ISSN 0585-3923. Archived from the original on 4 February 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
- ^ "Campus Locations, Maps and Transport". James Cook University. Townsville, Queensland. 27 June 2023. Archived from the original on 24 October 2024. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
- ^ "Degree & Masters Courses in Singapore". James Cook University Singapore. Singapore. 1 October 2024. Archived from the original on 13 September 2024. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
- ^ Davie, Sandra (20 December 2013). "Fewer Singapore Students Heading Down Under". The Straits Times. Singapore: SPH Media Trust. Archived from the original on 15 December 2018. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
- ^ "Intercampus Exchange Program". James Cook University Singapore. Singapore. 23 June 2022. Archived from the original on 13 September 2024. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
- ^ "Study Abroad Singapore - Study in Singapore". James Cook University Singapore. Singapore. 1 January 2023. Archived from the original on 11 July 2024. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
- ^ a b "Psychology clinic". James Cook University Singapore. Singapore. 16 March 2015. Archived from the original on 2 October 2024. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
- ^ a b "ShanghaiRanking's Academic Ranking of World Universities". Academic Ranking of World Universities. Shanghai, China: Shanghai Ranking Consultancy. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
- ^ a b "QS World University Rankings 2025: Top Global Universities". QS World University Rankings. London, United Kingdom: Quacquarelli Symonds. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
- ^ a b "World University Rankings". Times Higher Education. London, United Kingdom: Inflexion. 19 September 2018. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
- ^ a b "Best Global Universities Rankings". U.S. News & World Report. Washington, D.C., United States. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
- ^ "University Results". Aggregate Ranking of Top Universities. Sydney, New South Wales: University of New South Wales. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
- ^ a b "Admissions Requirements". James Cook University Singapore. Singapore. 28 July 2020. Archived from the original on 26 May 2024. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
- ^ a b "Pathway Programs". James Cook University Singapore. Singapore. 1 January 2023. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
- ^ "Postgraduate courses". James Cook University Singapore. Singapore. 23 February 2021. Archived from the original on 22 July 2024. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
- ^ "Doctor of Philosophy". James Cook University Singapore. Singapore. 1 January 2024. Archived from the original on 21 July 2024. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
- ^ a b "Private Education Institution Graduate Employment Survey". SkillsFuture (Ministry of Education. Singapore: Government of Singapore. Archived from the original on 18 July 2024. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
- ^ "Why Study at James Cook University". James Cook University Singapore. Singapore. 9 February 2023. Archived from the original on 2 October 2024. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
- ^ "Admissions Schedule". James Cook University Singapore. Singapore. 24 November 2023. Archived from the original on 20 June 2024. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
- ^ "A scholarship with support for sports, studies and a future career". CNA. Singapore: Mediacorp (Temasek. Archived from the original on 10 July 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
- ^ Đức, Huỳnh (18 July 2022). "Ảnh hiếm thời đi học của 3 người đẹp đình đám nhất hiện nay". Kênh 14 (in Vietnamese). Hanoi, Vietnam: VCCorp. Archived from the original on 1 March 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.