University of Wisconsin–Madison
Back to Top

James Cook University

Sunset on the water with a sailboat in the foreground.
Skyline over the city showcasing the night scene and natural landscape surrounding the city
An expansive view of the ocean, with a mountain range in the background.
Skyline of Cairns and Townsville with an emphasis on the coastline outside of the city.

Australia, Cairns & Townsville

Review and admission of applicants occurs on a rolling basis. Early submission is not required, but may allow you to get through the process earlier.

Experience northern Queensland's metropolitan life style while studying at James Cook University (JCU)! This program offers a wide variety of subjects to choose from and provides you with the opportunity to live and study alongside Australian students. You may choose to study at one of the two JCU campuses in northern Queensland:  Townsville or Cairns.  Both locations are coastal cities that offer cultural, sporting and leisure attractions.

Both JCU Cairns and JCU Townsville provide a wide range of classes in the shadow of The Wet Tropic Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef (two of the world's finest natural world heritage areas).  JCU will provide you with a choice of classes to broaden your academic experience and enrich your personal outlook. JCU's innovative teaching styles encourage personal achievement, and as a leading research university, their programs are informed by discovery.

Many JCU classes offer wonderful opportunities for field trips.  These unique experiences help make JCU special and sets them apart!

CRICOS Provider: 00117J

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to providing quality study abroad and domestic study away programs for every UW-Madison student. We work strategically to identify, address, and remove barriers that may prevent participation and to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for students. Our staff actively engages with students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds and prioritizes the continuous development of our knowledge and cultural competence. We also recognize the importance of increasing access to study abroad for historically underrepresented student populations. We are committed to diversity and inclusion so that every student can engage with and understand their identity through a new lens and continue to develop and make progress on their personal, professional, and academic goals.

Sustainability

We recognize that the future of study abroad, domestic study away, and international internship programming requires a Commitment to Sustainability. We are devoted to examining, developing, and improving sustainability in all our endeavors, aligning with campus priorities and following through with UW-Madison's climate action and Resilience Commitment. Join our efforts and learn more about how to study abroad sustainably.

Request Information

Join our email list to receive program updates-including application notices, scholarship information, and more!

Eligibility

  • 2.5 cumulative GPA
  • Sophomore, Junior, Senior
  • Open to UW-Madison degree-seeking students only
  • Good academic and disciplinary standing
  • At the time of application and the semester prior to participation, UW-Madison students must be currently enrolled. Transfer Students to UW-Madison need to be currently enrolled at their home institution

Advising Location

Program Structure

Exchange & Direct Enroll

Subjects

Agriculture, Biological & Physical Science, Education, Engineering, Environmental Studies, Humanities, Journalism, Pharmacy, Social Science, Social Work

Classroom Language

English

Housing

Apartments, Residence Hall

Program Duration

Academic Year:  early Sept to late April
(Trimester 3 & 1)

Fall:  early Sept to mid-Dec
(Trimester 3)

Spring:  mid-January to late April
(Trimester 1)

Application Deadline(s)

Fall 2026-27 3/20/2026 Cost Details
Year 2026-27 3/20/2026 Cost Details
Spring 2026-27 9/18/2026 Cost Details

Future durations will be posted at a later date.

APPLY NOW

 

Study abroad programs at JCU run on a trimester model, where teaching is split over three equal study periods during a calendar year.  A standard trimester courseload is 3-4 courses.  You may enroll in subjects from any College (department) as long as you meet the prerequisites or other class requirements. 

UW Fall:  Trimester 3, early Sept to mid-Dec
UW Spring:  Trimester 1,  mid-January to late April
UW Academic Year: Trimester 3 & 1, early Sept to late April

This program will provide you with a critical appreciation of Australia and its regional setting while you pursue your academic interests.  JCU is a great fit for the following UW majors: 

  • Wildlife Ecology
  • Conservation Biology
  • Zoology
  • Environmental Sciences
  • Environmental Studies
  • Animal Sciences
  • Biology
  • Forest Science
  • Botany
  • Geology and Geophysics
  • Geography

Other UW majors that would enjoy JCU:  Athletic Training; Chemistry; Earth Science; Kinesiology; Mathematics; Anthropology; Applied Math, Engineering, Physics; Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences; Biochemistry; Cartography and Geographic Information Systems; Computer Sciences; Legal Studies; Microbiology; Molecular Biology; Psychology; Statistics, Pharmacology and Toxicology.

Townsville, the larger campus, offers more class options.  Cairns does have a wide variety of class choices, however, so be sure to check the JCU website when deciding between campuses.  Keep in mind that some classes may be video-linked, which means the professor is located on a difference campus and teaches remotely.

Affiliate Institution(s)

James Cook University

Program Web Pages

JCU Study Abroad Website

Foreign Courses

Select your JCU subjects

Course Equivalents

Use the links below to see a list of courses that past students have taken on this program and the UW equivalents. Note: This list only includes pre-approved courses for your program and may not be an exhaustive list of courses, departments or equivalents. Courses may not be available the semester you are abroad. You will receive instructions on the course equivalent process after acceptance. View Course Equivalents