JCU Prep Information Session

Your flexible pathway into uni

Discover JCU’s new fee-free* pathway program, JCU Prep, at our upcoming information sessions in Townsville and Cairns. Learn how JCU Prep provides direct entry to many JCU undergraduate degrees. Engage with JCU’s dedicated support staff within Pathways, Careers and Outreach, AccessAbility and the Indigenous Education and Research Centre.

This event is suitable for career advisors and training organisation staff to assist your students in their next career move, as well as students who finished school without an ATAR, are missing pre-requisite subjects, or didn’t finish high school.

What you’ll gain from the day

Hear from the facilitators of JCU Prep who’ll provide an in-depth overview of the program

Learn how JCU Prep can be the ideal pathway into university for you and/or your students

Chat one-on-one with JCU’s Pathways, Careers, AccessAbility and Indigenous Education and Research Centre teams

Explore JCU’s Cairns and Townsville campuses

Staff of schools and training organisations will receive a certificate of attendance for professional development hours.

Attendees can enjoy light refreshments and nibbles.

* Students are required to pay a Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSA Fee).

Townsville

Date: Monday 4 December 2023

Time: Session 1: 9 am – 11.45 am
Session 2: 12.30 pm - 3.15 pm

Choose one session only

Location: JCU Townsville, Bebegu Yumba campus, Education Central foyer

Cairns

Date: Tuesday 5 December 2023

Time: Session 1: 9 am – 11.45 am
Session 2: 12.30 pm - 3.15 pm

Choose one session only

Location: JCU Cairns, Nguma-bada campus, Student Centre foyer

Real stories

"JCU Prep is great way to start tertiary studies. The staff are experts in their subject areas and they are also friendly and supportive. You can choose a study plan that suits your time and skill requirements. JCU Prep subjects focus on Academic Skills, IT Literacy and Numeracy and will help you prepare for further study in areas like Nursing, Teaching, Science and Engineering."

Andrew Higgins
JCU Pathways - Lecturer

"Pathways will open your world to a new and exciting way of thinking and learning. We will prepare you to enter into your degree and walk into your dream job as a capable and competent 21st century professional."

Jaimee Hamilton
JCU Pathways - Lecturer

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. JCU Prep is open to all Australian citizens and permanent residents who are or are about to turn 18 years old and want to enter undergraduate study at JCU, regardless of academic background and prior work/study experience.

The duration of study is dependent on your individual circumstances. For example, a recent school leaver who may be missing a subject prerequisite can complete their study in three months when studying full-time, whereas a mature student may take up to twelve months to complete their study depending on their individual study plan.

JCU Prep has no associated course fees however, a Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSA Fee) is payable, the cost of which depends on the number of subjects you enrol in. In 2023, the fee was $48.90 per subject, with a maximum fee of $326.00 for the full calendar year.

Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible to seek Government financial assistance through Austudy or ABSTUDY when you enrol in three or more JCU Prep subjects.

Your application for JCU Prep depends on your previous educational experience:

If you wish to use JCU Prep as a pathway into a JCU Bachelor’s degree

You should apply for your preferred bachelor’s course through the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC), using the QTAC code for that course. If you do not meet the entry requirements, JCU may offer you a QTAC packaged offer, where you receive an offer into JCU Prep and your preferred bachelor’s course at the same time.

If you want to start with only JCU Prep, and:

You received an ATAR
If you completed Year 12 in the last three years and achieved an ATAR (or equivalent), you should apply for entry to JCU Prep through QTAC using the QTAC code:
- 319011 for Online
- 329010 for Cairns
- 319010 for Townsville.
You didn’t receive an ATAR, or you have previously studied with JCU
If you left school before Year 12, completed Year 12 but didn’t receive an ATAR (or equivalent), or have previously studied one or more subjects at JCU, you should apply for JCU Prep directly, through our Online Application Portal.

Check the JCU application due dates to ensure you meet the deadline for your chosen trimester.