James Cook University

Established in 2003, the Singapore campus of James Cook University is fully owned by the James Cook University Australia, which is ranked among the top 2% of universities in the world. The University has been acknowledged as a top private University in Singapore, being the first to receive the EduTrust Star Award, which is the highest level of accreditation in Singapore for private education providers. The University has also been awarded the Singapore Quality Class STAR.

The University follows a trimester system, allowing students to finish their programs in shorter periods of time. Students are awarded the same globally recognised certification of completion as students in Australian campuses. Under a unique Inter-campus Mobility Program, students of the Singapore campus can also study in the Australian campuses, yet remain as Singapore based students and pay fees in SGD.

Class attendance is capped at 100 students per lecture and 30 per tutorial to ensure that students receive sufficient attention to maximise their learning.

School Website:

School's Main Website

Admission Requirements:

Entrance requirements for the Singapore campus differ according to your desired choice of course, but in general applicants must have satisfactorily completed 12 years of schooling and an English level equating to a minimum IELTS of 6.0.

Click here for the courses and their respective requirements.

For students who do not have certification to substantiate your English language proficiency, you will be asked to take a 2 hour English proficiency test upon admission into the University. If you do not meet the minimum English requirement, you will be placed in an English Language Preparatory Program (ELPP). The intakes for this program occur every 2 months – Jan, Mar, May, Jul, Sep and Nov.

Click here for more information on the ELPP.

Flying Chalks’ recommendation: Like many other students have done, you can start with an 8-month Diploma Program before continuing with a 16-month Bachelor’s Program if you are weaker in English.

Language of instruction:

English

University Courses:

The University offers courses in disciplines including Aquaculture, Business, IT, Psychology, Education, Accounting, Arts, Environmental Science, Games Design, Tourism and Hospitality.

The Singapore campus of James Cook University is in the process of establishing a Research Institute around its strengths, with the first pillar of the Institute to be that of Aquaculture research. The school is also well-equipped with 8 Technology-Enabled Active Learning (TEAL) rooms or Apple Rooms for IT students, and a Financial Lab for Business students to maximise their learning during their time in the University.

Find more information on their courses here.

Course Fees:

Click here for the link to the Course Fees.

Academic Intakes:

Intakes for Diploma and Bachelor Programmes are held every March, July, November.

Admission Procedure:

As Flying Chalks is an official representative of James Cook University, we provide consultations and application guidance free-of-charge. Simply provide us your deatils at https://flyingchalks.typeform.com/to/q3YrsT. 

Flying Chalks’ tip: If you intend to start your studies in a year’s time but want to apply in advance, you can apply through Flying Chalks now and reserve placement in the school by paying the application fee. In doing so, the school fee that you pay is calculated at the rate as of the day of application submission.

The campus offers a full range of facilities for student learning and activities.

Campus Information:

Click here for a virtual campus tour.

Key Facilities:

Learning Facilities

• Student Hub for students to relax and study

• 4 auditoriums

• Financial lab

• Wireless network available throughout campus

• 8 Technology-Enabled Active Learning (TEAL) rooms or Apple Rooms

Student Service Facilities

• Student Hub

• Male/Female Prayer Room

• Nursing Room

• Psychology Clinic, open 9am – 6pm (Monday to Friday)

• Stationery and Printing Shop

• Book Shop (TIMES@JCU)

• Student Discussion Rooms

• 2-Storey Library (Click here for more information on the Library)

Sports and Recreation Facilities

• Basketball Courts/Tennis Courts

• Gymnasium

• Multi-Purpose Hall

Orientation:

JCU hosts a one week Orientation Program for new students, where students are welcomed into their course and faculty, participate in icebreaking sessions, meet student mentors and are taken on campus and library tours. The Orientation Program Schedule is either included in the Student Welcome Pack or sent via email before Orientation Week commences.

More information can be found here.

Clubs and Student Activities:

The University houses a variety of co-curricular activities ranging from sports, performing arts to societies and clubs. Link to CCA page at https://www.jcu.edu.sg/student-life/clubs-and-societies

Some clubs include:

• Basketball, Cycling, Football, Outdoor Activities Clubs
• Toastmasters, Volunteer, Christian Fellowship Clubs
• Dance, Music, Indian Cultural Societies

The campus is within walking distance of the newly built National Stadium, and is surrounded by cafes and eateries.

For food:

Within Campus

• Air-conditioned and Non Air-conditioned Cafeteria

• Halal and Non-Halal food

• Chinese, Indian, Malay, Fruit and Drink Stalls

Outside Campus

• Sims Vista Market & Food Centre

Address: 01-46, 49 Sims Place, 380049

• Kallang Wave Mall (Mountbatten Station CC7)

Address: 1 Stadium Place, Singapore 397628

For nightlife and entertainment:

Head over to the hipster Haji Lane nearby Bugis Station (EW12) to find a range of cafes and bars such as BERGS, Ciao @ Italian Risto-Bar, Le Kue, Going OM and many more to enjoy a relaxing meal with live music performances.

Clarke Quay is another happening area to visit. Take a cruise down the Singapore river at night and enjoy the lively atmosphere. Be amazed by the stunning laser show and Merlion park. There are also many good restaurants in the vicinity where you can enjoy local and international cuisine.

●  Affordable bars: FIV五 Izakaya Bar (16 Collyer Quay #01-05B or 25 Cuppage Road, Cuppage Terrace); Harry’s @ Boat Quay (28 Boat Quay); Orgo Bar & Restaurant – more pricey but with an Alfresco concept on the roof terrace of The Esplanade (8 Raffles Avenue #04-01 Esplanade-Theaters on the Bay, Roof Terrace)

● Clubs: Zouk Club (17 Jiak Kim Street); Attica (3A River Valley Road #01-03 Clarke Quay); Club Kyo (133 Cecil Street); Home Club (20 Upper Circular Road), The Butter Factory (1 Fullerton Rd)

● Karaoke: Teo Heng KTV Studio is highly popular amongst students for its affordability. It has outlets located all around Singapore.

For daily necessities and groceries:

Singapore offers a range of supermarkets found island-wide, from more affordable to premium choices.

If you are on a budget, here are some options for you:

1. NTUC Fair Price

2. Giant

3. Sheng Siong

On the other hand, you can head over to these supermarkets for more premium buys:

4. Cold Storage

Flying Chalks’ tip: The closest supermarket to the University is NTUC Fair Price, located at 5 Upper Boon Keng Road #01-05, nearby Kallang MRT Station.

For shopping:

A recommended area to for you to shop at for luxury or branded goods is Orchard Road. From clothes to shoes, bags to accessories, there is definitely something out there for you! Starting from ION Orchard shopping mall, you can go via underground walkways to other malls like Wisma Atria, Ngee Ann City, Wheelock Place and keep walking towards *Scape, 313@Somerset and Orchard Central.

Mustafa at Farrer Park is recommended if you who would like to shop for goods at affordable prices. It sells a variety of goods ranging from food items to daily household products at lower prices, compared to shopping malls.

China Town is a great place you to purchase souvenirs for your friends and family. They sell bags, magnets, bottle openers, and other knick knacks with designs of Singapore.

Flying Chalks’ recommendations:

• Singapore’s biggest shopping mall, Vivocity, is located at Harbourfront MRT station and can be conveniently accessed via the Circle line from Kent Ridge station at NUS

• If you’re on a budget, check out *Scape Underground, Bugis Street, Far East Plaza and occasional flea markets!

• Bugis street is the shopping haven for youths, especially if you are on a tight budget! It features the latest and trendiest fashion at affordable prices and is easily accessible via the East West line.

Getting to James Cook Campus:

Getting from Changi Airport to your Accommodation:

• Private Pickup Services (Limousine & Large Taxis)

If you have a larger group, private pick-up services are available from the airport to your accommodation or campus hostel via limousines and large taxis. The fare is SGD $55 and above and more information can be found here.

*You may find that using the GRAB or Uber App is a good alternative to this and may be cheaper than flagging a normal taxi!

• Train

If you’re travelling to your accommodation out of the city, click here to check out to estimate the duration and cost of your ride. You can pay for your ride via a stored-value EZ-Link Card which you can purchase at the ticketing counter before you enter the station.  

Flying Chalks’ recommendation: This option is recommended for students who are on a tight budget but it might get burdensome with all your luggage as you are not assured a seat on the train. Do also note the train timings in order not to miss it:

Directions: From the Arrival Hall, head down to the basement of Terminals 2 and 3 and follow the signs leading to the MRT station.  Click here for more information.

• Bus

To find out more about the combinations of bus services to get to your accommodation, use this website.

You could pay by a stored-value EZ-Link Card (purchased at Changi Airport train station or from any Changi Recommends store) or by cash in exact amount. If you’re travelling to your accommodation out of the city, you can find out the estimated cost of your trip here.

Directions: Head towards Changi Airport Passenger Terminal Building 2 Basement to board bus services leaving Changi.

Flying Chalks’ recommendation: Use this mode of transport to the campus as a secondary option as it takes a longer time to reach the campus. Considering your luggage, it could also be more cumbersome.

• By Taxi

Taxi is the most convenient way of getting from the airport to your accommodation (especially when you have a lot of luggage). You can get a taxi outside the Arrival Hall of any airport terminal. Fares are metered and there is an additional Airport surcharge for all trips originating from the Airport:

• $5 (Fri – Sun, 5.00pm to midnight)

• $3 (All other times)

• 50% of final metered fare (Midnight – 6.00am)

• 25% of final metered fare (Mon – Fri, 6.00am to 9.30am; Mon – Sun, 6.00pm to midnight)

• Taxi fares to the city range from about $20 to $35 depending on pickup time, type of taxi and the above surcharges.