Learn the ATAR and non-academic requirements you must meet to successfully gain entry into JCU Medicine in 2024.
The James Cook University Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) is a 6-year undergraduate course offered primarily for school leavers (i.e. applicants who have completed Year 12 or equivalent in the last two years and have not completed more than 3 subjects at a tertiary level). JCU’s 6 year medical program is located in Queensland, with the first 3 years at JCU Townsville or Cairns and the clinical placements for the final 3 years undertaken in JCU Townsville, Cairns, or Mackay. Although much more of the 150 available CSP places are reserved for school leavers compared to non-school leavers, the JCU application process is still very competitive with only a 61% acceptance rate. Anecdotally, the admission requirements are even higher for interstate and non-rural applicants due to JCU’s focus on nurturing local doctors who are passionate about rural, indigenous, and tropical health. This article will cover both the academic and non-academic requirements (e.g. Personal statement, Letter of Support, and Interview), as well as give a comprehensive overview of JCU’s selection and application process.
For the 2022 medicine intake, James Cook University published that the lowest ATAR (termed selection rank) to receive an offer was 89.75 while the median ATAR to receive an offer was 98.40. However, JCU does not have an official minimum ATAR cut-off due to the multi-faceted nature of its selection process, which means academic shortcomings can be compensated by a strong application and interview. Unlike most medical schools in Australia, JCU does not consider the UCAT as part of its selection process. Although this may come as a relief to some, the omission of the UCAT elevates the importance of non-academic requirements like the personal statement and letters of support when competing for an interview offer.
JCU Medicine requires all candidates to achieve a minimum grade of C in Units 3 & 4 of English, Mathematical Methods, and Chemistry to be eligible for an offer. Interstate or overseas equivalents of these subjects and grades are also accepted. For NSW applicants, the equivalent academic requirement is a minimum of band 3 in English Advanced, Mathematics Advanced, and Chemistry. For applicants of non-English speaking backgrounds, the English language proficiency requirement is a valid IELTS (academic module) minimum score of 7.0 in all components within 2 years before applying for registration. Lastly, James Cook University strongly recommends the study of Physics and Biology although they do not form the prerequisites for the MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) program.
For tips on how to approach each question, check out our comprehensive written application guide for JCU.
JCU allows you to attach up to three Letters of Support written by anyone of your choosing (excluding family members) who can attest to your personal qualities and suitability for medicine. Ideally, you should choose a referee who knows you well and you’ve had long-term involvement with, as they would be better positioned to provide a more reliable, specific, and generous appraisal. Some examples of people you could choose are employers, work experience supervisors, school teachers, guidance officers, and extra-curricular coaching staff.
Letters of support should include a brief explanation of their involvement with you and supporting evidence for traits befitting of the medical profession (e.g. work ethic, professionalism, strong interpersonal skills, compassion, teamwork, integrity, etc.). JCU also requires referees to include contact details such as their phone number to verify the legitimacy of their letters.
JCU has no requirement as to who the letters of support should be addressed to, but welcomes letters addressed to the Selections Officer or Committee, Admissions Officer or Committee, some address letters of support to the College Dean or simply to whom it may concern.
MissionMed students who applied with three letters of support have historically experienced a higher success rate.
