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Medical students at James Cook University (JCU) will be able to complete their whole degrees in Cairns for the first time from next year.
The university currently offers the first three years of its medicine degree in Townsville, with students able to complete the final three years in Cairns, Townsville, and Mackay.
The first intake of first-year medical students will commence studies on the JCU campus at Smithfield next February.
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The university secured bipartisan support for extra Cairns-based, Commonwealth-supported student places during the last Federal election campaign.
In a statement, JCU said it’s extending the medical course to Cairns to produce doctors who want to work where they’re needed most.
It said Cairns and the Far North deserve high-quality local health care, and young people here deserve opportunities to study for rewarding professional careers.
JCU said it has secured 20 places for Cairns and can make a strong case to secure a share of the additional 80 places the Federal Government has made available nationally.
Main points
- JCU medical students can do all six years of study in Cairns
- Previously had to do first three years in Townsville
- New system starts in February 2023
