James Cook University (JCU) is an undergraduate medicine degree. A limited number of graduate entrants/non-school leavers with complete/incomplete degrees may be accepted, but most places in JCU's medical school are for school leavers. Notably, James Cook is the only university that does not require applicants to undergo a psychometric test or UCAT assessment.

Scroll down to see the available entry paths to James Cook University medicine

Available paths

There are 2 possible paths to medicine at JCU:-

Path 1: Direct entry for school leavers

You need English, Mathematical Methods and Chemistry all at 3/4 C level, to apply for the JCU medicine degree.

Physics and Biology are highly desirable

Path 2: Bachelor degree or higher (any degree, any university) or incomplete degree.

How the paths compare

The James Cook University medicine program is an undergraduate degree and therefore high school applicants are strongly favoured. There are a small number of places (30 out of 170) available for students who have either a completed degree - at JCU or at other universities, or incomplete degree.

How selection works

The selection criteria for James Cook University medicine comprises a 2 stage process (like many other universities):-

Stage 1: Criteria for Interview

Your academic results from school or from university are assessed by JCU. Importantly, this assessment takes into account both your predicted result and your actual final year result. It is also worth remembering, therefore, that information regarding your predicted academic performance (if you are a school leaver) needs to be provided by an official from your school. If you are a non-school leaver, your academic performance is based on your most recent course GPA (complete or incomplete).

You are also required to submit a written application as part of the JCU selection process.

Your academic results (predicted/actual) together with your written application are used to determine who's offered an interview.

Stage 2: Criteria for an offer of a place in the medicine degree

JCU takes your academic performance in Year 12 (or in subsequent tertiary studies) and uses this, together with your interview results, to determine who's offered a place.

James Cook University does not disclose the selection criteria weightings it uses to determine how places in its medicine program are allocated.

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An important qualification

Study Medicine information has been compiled from Australian university information sources and therefore is a guide. Authoritative information is provided by the university only. Make sure you obtain information directly from the university before making any decisions.

The above information is intended to help you understand the James Cook University medical degree and the available paths to gain entry. Remember, information can always change, so ensure you keep up to date by regularly checking directly with James Cook University.

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Study Medicine

Study Medicine enables you to identify and compare all the available Australian university degrees to becoming a doctor. Study Medicine provides comprehensive information, put together in an easy to understand way, about 59 Australian university degrees – direct entry medical degrees and degrees that lead to undergraduate or postgraduate medicine. Study Medicine information helps prospective medical students secure a place in a medical degree at an Australian university. Comprehensive information is provided about each degree - including high school prerequisite subjects, ATAR scores, how invitations for interview are determined, descriptions of the selection criteria used and relative weightings for the offer of a place, numbers of places available as well as other additional aspects. The particular and unique characteristics of each university’s medical selection approach are detailed. The University Comparitor enables you to systematically compare different degrees across all Australian universities with a medical program. You can also compare specific aspects within each degree – such as the different selection criteria and weightings used by each university to select medical students. Study Medicine enables you to identify the most appropriate university and most appropriate degree to suit your own circumstances and abilities.

Study Medicine assists high school students, university students, parents and career counsellors identify, plan and prepare; optimising your likelihood of success in gaining a place in an Australian university medical degree.

James Cook University Medicine Summary