James Cook University
James Cook University (JCU) is Australia’s leading university in the tropics. Its unique location enables students from Australia and overseas to study in a diverse physical environment unparalleled by any university in the world.
James Cook University
About JCU
One of the world’s leading institutions focusing on the tropics, James Cook University is surrounded by the spectacular ecosystems of the rainforests of the wet tropics, the dry savannahs, and the iconic Great Barrier Reef. JCU’s unique location enables students to study in a diverse physical environment unparalleled by any university in the world.
Location: Townsville & Cairns
JCU’s main campus is in Townsville, which is a thriving coastal city and port, and a stepping-off point for visiting the Great Barrier Reef. The resort regions of the Whitsunday Islands and Mission Beach are within easy reach.
With more than 2 million visitors annually, Cairns is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Australia, and this is where JCU’s second largest campus is located. Attractions include two World Heritage natural environments – the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and the Wet Tropics ancient rainforests.
What’s the weather like?
North Queensland is well known for embracing a safe and relaxed tropical lifestyle. Established Indigenous, European and Asian communities add to the cultural diversity of the region not usually found outside of the capital cities. Both Townsville and Cairns enjoy excellent tropical climates for most of the academic year including autumn, winter, and spring, and an average winter temperature of around 25°C. Balmy!
JCU Teachers’ College
JCU Education is a leader in providing high-quality professional experience. A focus on offering opportunities to teach in various communities produces JCU Education graduates who make life matter.
JCU Teachers’ College
The School of Education committed to supporting education for sustainability, being socially and culturally inclusive and in ensuring graduates’ professional standards. This all ties into the university’s overall philosophy which aims to serve communities that are regional and rural, as well as national and international, with diverse needs and aspirations. They seek to be regionally relevant yet globally connected.
Dynamic partnerships have been forged with schools throughout northern Queensland and the school actively encourages all preservice teachers to complete professional experiences in schools and communities outside of the Townsville/ Cairns region. With more than half of Queensland’s schools in rural and remote areas, and more than one third of Queensland’s students attending these schools, they feel that rural and remote education is a priority for preservice teachers.
JCU formally recognizes that they are a leading tropical research university and take pride in the fact they are a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, the rainforests of the Wet Tropics and Outback savannahs which make studying at JCU a truly unique experience.
Exceptional employment outcomes
Independently rated five stars for student success*, JCU Education produces graduates who experience exceptional employment outcomes.
Work worldwide
Teach in Australia and around the globe. JCU students gain the skills and knowledge necessary to take their careers overseas.
Unique placement opportunities
Be equipped with the skills to make an impact. Study and work in rural and remote communities, capital cities and experience overseas placements.
Graduate with confidence
JCU Education emphasizes holistic thinking producing graduates who value social and environmental sustainability goals and are equipped to teach future generations.
Fast Facts
| Program | James Cook University Master of Teaching and Learning |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2 years |
| Location | Townsville or Cairns |
| Est. Indicative Annual Tuition | AUD$33,640 (2025 fees; subject to increase) |
| Semester Intake | February |
| Next Available Intake | 2025 |
| Application Deadline | No set deadline* |
What do you need to get in?
Primary
Completed bachelor’s degree
You must have a completed bachelor’s degree with a 65% average or above. Your academic criteria is measured against previous study. You must have successfully completed at least 8 subjects (at least one year of full-time-equivalent study) in a non-Education degree that are relevant to one or more learning areas of the primary school curriculum: English, technologies, mathematics, science, humanities and social sciences, the Arts, languages, health and physical education.
Secondary
Completed bachelor’s degree
You must have a completed bachelor’s degree with a 65% average or above with subjects in two teaching areas appropriate to curriculum in Australian secondary schools.
Application Timeline
*While JCU teaching programs have a general application deadline of November 29 each year, you are encouraged to apply a minimum of three months prior to the program’s start date.
Program Structure
Master of Teaching and Learning (Primary)
JCU’s Master of Teaching and Learning (Primary) prepares teachers to critically respond to the challenges of northern Queensland and the Tropics, through a theoretically informed practice-based approach with provision for learning experiences in urban, rural and remote school-community environments.
The course is a four-phase (2-year) developmentally sequenced professional preparation for those holding at least a first degree and who value learning about, as well as contributing to, the diverse needs and aspirations of learners and communities.
This course includes a prescribed professional placement in primary schools in each of the first three phases of the course for a total of 60 placement days, a 20-day extended capstone in the final phase and school based experiences with primary students in selected subjects within the course. Graduate teachers may be required to undertake such placements away from the campus at which they are enrolled, at their own expense.
Graduates are eligible to apply for registration with the Queensland College of Teachers in Australia.
Master of Teaching and Learning (Primary)
Program Structure
ED5950:03 Learning for Diverse Learners in Primary School Contexts
ED5951:03 Literacy and Numeracy for Primary Teachers
ED5952:03 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Education in Primary School Settings
ED5953:03 The Arts for Primary Teachers
ED5960:03 Teaching for Learning in Diverse Primary School Contexts
ED5961:03 English Education for Primary Teachers
ED5962:03 Mathematics Education for Primary Teachers
ED5963:03 Digital and Design Technologies for Primary Teachers
ED5970:03 Teachers as Leaders for Learning and Change
ED5971:03 Humanities and Social Science Education for Primary Teachers
ED5972:03 Health and Physical Education for Primary Teachers
ED5973:03 Science and Sustainability Education for Primary Teachers
ED5974:03 Final Graduate Professional Experience
ED5980:03 Teachers as Researchers for Learning and Change
ED5981:03 Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Classrooms and Communities
ED5982:03 Internship/Service Learning (Including Research Inquiry)
Course list / structure is subject to change
Master of Teaching and Learning (Secondary)
This 2-year full-time James Cook University master’s degree will equip you to make a difference to the success of students and the secondary school or college at which you are employed.
In line with the developmental approach you’ll experience as you study towards this JCU master’s degree, the course is structured into phases focusing on
- Learners and learning
- Teaching for learning
- Leading for learning and change
As a highlight of your studies, you’ll take part in an internship or service learning experience focused on teachers as researchers for learning.
The Master of Teaching Secondary includes a prescribed professional placement in secondary schools in each of the first four phases of the course for a total of 80 placement days including a 20-day extended capstone in the final phase. In addition to the extended practice, students are required to undertake a one-day-a-week placement in their phase schools to a minimum of 20 days across the degree.
Graduates are eligible to apply for registration with the Queensland College of Teachers in Australia.
Master of Teaching and Learning (Secondary)
Program Structure
Year 1
ED5955:03 Learners and Learning in Secondary School Contexts
ED5956:03 Junior Secondary Curriculum1
ED5957:03 Junior Secondary Curriculum II
ED5958:03 Literacy and Numeracy for Secondary Teachers
ED5965:03 Teaching for Learning in Diverse Secondary School Contexts
ED5966:03 Senior Curriculum I
ED5967:03 Senior Curriculum II
ED5968:03 Information and Communication Technologies across the Curriculum
Year 2
ED5975:03 Teachers as Leaders for Learning and Change
ED5976:03 Subject Discipline Knowledge
ED5977:03 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education
ED5978:03 Collecting, Analysing and Reporting Data: Leading for Learning
ED5979:03 Final Graduate Professional Experience
ED5985:03 Teachers as Researchers for Learning and Change
ED5986:03 Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Classrooms and Communities
ED5987:03 Internship/Service Learning
Course list / structure is subject to change
How to Apply
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Online application
Fill out the OzTREKK online application. OzTREKK Tip: have the dates of your previous study handy!
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Receive email from OzTREKK
After you’ve completed the online application, you will receive a detailed email from OzTREKK usually within 1 business day outlining all the documents required complete your application for submission. Best of all, you submit them to OzTREKK, not to Australia!
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Submission time
We’ll let you know exactly what to send and the best way to send it! Examples include final transcripts from each institution you have attended (in their original, sealed envelopes), Australian university-specific documents, course outlines, and a scanned copy of the photo page of your passport. Many documents may be emailed as PDFs; however, we recommend you don’t begin sending your documents until your admissions officer has requested them.