James Cook University (JCU) is an Australian university with campuses in Townsville, Cairns, and Singapore. It offers over 300 courses across various disciplines including sciences, business, education, and health. JCU is ranked in the top 4% of universities worldwide and first in the world for citations in coral reef ecology. It provides students with opportunities for hands-on learning in its unique tropical locations near the Great Barrier Reef and rainforests. Living costs in Townsville and Cairns are lower than other Australian cities, and JCU offers support services to help international students adjust.