Central Queensland University Cairns Campus

CQUniversity Australia has been on a phenomenal trajectory in recent years and its remarkable growth in student numbers, new courses, new campuses, infrastructure and reputation has seen it emerge as one of Australia’s truly great universities.

Originally founded in Rockhampton in 1967, as the Queensland Institute of Technology (QIT) Capricornia, it was granted full University status in 1992 and was named the University of Central Queensland. The University rebranded to CQUniversity in 2009 and now has more than 30 000 students. It has firmly established itself as one of the largest universities based in regional Australia, with campuses in Adelaide, Brisbane, Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Melbourne, Noosa, Perth, Rockhampton, Sydney and Townsville. Along with these campuses, the University also operates study centres in Biloela, Broome, Busselton, Karratha and Yeppoon, and delivers programs in Cooma, Geraldton and Port Pirie, thanks to partnerships with the respective university centres in those communities.

In 2014, CQUniversity merged with CQ TAFE bringing together more than 175 years of combined experience in the delivery of education and training and establishing Queensland’s first comprehensive, dual sector university. As a result, CQUniversity now delivers more than 300 education and training offerings, from short courses and certificates, through to undergraduate, postgraduate and research degrees. Study areas include apprenticeships, trades and training, business, accounting and law, creative, performing and visual arts, education and humanities, engineering and built environment, health, information technology and digital media, psychology, social work and community services, science and environment, and work and study preparation. As a pioneer in the delivery of distance education, CQUniversity also continues to be a leader in this area with almost half of the current student cohort made up of students studying off-campus, many of whom are based in rural and remote areas.

After more than half a century working with stakeholders in regional Australia, CQUniversity is now a renowned research institution in several key disciplines and the benchmark leader for how universities should engage and collaborate with communities and industry. Its applied research focus is oriented towards real-world outcomes, with the purpose of providing solutions to challenges and identifying new opportunities for advancement in our regions and beyond.

In 2018, this research focus saw CQUniversity achieve Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) results of ‘above’ or ‘well above’ world standard in 13 categories of research including Mathematical Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Horticultural Production, Engineering, Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, Psychology, Agriculture and Vet Sciences, Agricultural, Land and Farm Management, Public Health and Health Services and Nursing.

CQUniversity is proud to be recognised as Australia’s most inclusive university with some of the highest ratios of students from disadvantaged, mature age, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and first-in-family backgrounds. This inclusive approach and commitment to access and participation mean the University defines itself by who it embraces, rather than who it excludes.

Graduates from CQUniversity also have some of the best employment outcomes in Australia, with recent data released by the Graduate Outcomes Survey indicating that 79.9 per cent of domestic undergraduate students find full-time employment within four months of graduation, compared to the national average of 71.9 per cent. Data released by the Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) also shows that CQUniversity outperforms the majority of Australian universities when it comes to the overall student experience and graduate salary outcomes.

CQUniversity places a strong emphasis on social innovation and global outreach and fosters a number of key partnerships with communities, industry and government, both in Australia and overseas. This commitment to engagement and social advancement has led to CQUniversity being recognised as Australia’s first and only Changemaker Campus by Ashoka U, an exclusive global social innovation group made up of only 40 education institutions across the world.

CQUniversity’s unique vision for diversity, outreach, engagement, research, learning and teaching, and inclusiveness, combined with its growth aspirations and continued expansion of student success, research excellence, social innovation and community engagement, has led to it being recognised within the top 600 universities in the world by the prestigious Times Higher Education World Rankings, and among the world’s best ‘young universities’ by both the Times Higher Education and QS World University Rankings.

Cairns Campus
CQUniversity has one of the largest and fastest-growing footprints of any university in Australia, and the Cairns campus is one of the newest campuses in CQUniversity's network of 20+ locations across Australia. The Cairns campus supports more than 2,200 on-campus and online students across the Cairns region. The Cairns campus, set in the heart of the CBD, means that students are a short walk away from the famous Cairns Lagoon, esplanade walking paths, sports grounds, retailers and many café’s, restaurants and bars.

At CQU Cairns, students enjoy a fresh and individualised learning experience coupled with small class sizes, the latest teaching technology and expert lecturers, all within a supportive and inclusive learning environment. With flexible learning options, students can choose to study on-campus, online or ‘mixed mode’ – a combination of both. Whilst we are proud to offer students a great on-campus experience, at CQUniversity, we value and pride ourselves on our online delivery, helping students from remote and regional parts of Australia, including Cairns and surrounds access quality education and thrive in an online environment.

Our Connections With Community
The Cairns campus has strong links to both community and industry and is committed to playing a pivotal role in the economic and social development of the Cairns region through its partnerships and research capacity. Some of these connections include the CQUniversity Cairns Taipans, a community partnership that spans more than 9 years and is a valuable component of our community engagement. CQU Cairns continues to support local organisations and initiatives such as the Business Liaison Association, Cairns Chamber of Commerce, Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland (CCIQ), Advance Cairns, Study Cairns and Regional Development Australia (RDA). To find out more about CQU Cairns’ community and industry partnerships, visit our Engage with Cairns page.

With significant local research capability in built environment, renewable energies, automation and smart grid, artificial intelligence, internet of things, health and mental health, psychological science, education, sport and exercise science and digital media/arts technologies, CQUniversity Cairns makes a great partner for local industries to thrive through connection to new knowledge and commercialization potential.

Facilities
The CQU Cairns campus melds state-of-the-art technology with fresh and contemporary interiors to create innovative and positive learning facilities.

Facilities include:

• Nursing and engineering labs on the main campus.
• Exercise and Sport Science lab (offsite)
• Aviation Centre with state of the art simulators (Cairns Airport)
• Paramedic Science facilities, located at CQU Aviation Centre (Cairns Airport)
• Engineering lab (offsite)
• Creative and performing arts studios including recording studios, production facility, film studio, digital media editing suite and professional rehearsal studio
• PC and Mac labs
• Student facilities including student kitchen, social and recreational spaces, printing equipment, designated quiet study spaces, meeting rooms with conferencing capabilities for group work
• Reserve library collection and library services
• A multi-faith room

The CQUniversity Cairns Campus is located in the heart of the city, allowing students to access various amenities and attractions easily. Its contemporary design promotes a comfortable learning environment, featuring cutting-edge technology, spacious lecture rooms, computer labs, and innovative study spaces. The campus also houses a well-stocked library, offering many resources, including books, journals, and online databases.

In addition to academic facilities, the campus offers student support services, such as counselling, career guidance, and disability support. It also has a vibrant recreational area for students to engage with their friends, including a cafe, an outdoor terrace, and a common room with table tennis and pool tables.

The campus also hosts numerous clubs and societies that cater to variety of interests, including academic, cultural, sporting, and recreational activities. Students can participate in various events throughout the year, such as cultural festivals, sports competitions, and networking sessions. The Cairns Campus is also a hub for international students, boasting a diverse and inclusive community. It offers specialized support services for international students, including orientation programs, language assistance, and cultural exchange events. 

CQUniversity is known for its strong industry connections, which help students gain practical experience and enhance their employability. The campus works closely with local businesses, government organizations, and non-profit groups to provide students with internship opportunities, industry placements, and collaborative projects. The students graduate with the skills they need to succeed in their chosen careers due to this practical approach.

The campus does not offer an on-campus accommodation. However, students can explore several off-campus housing options in the surrounding areas. These options cater to different budgets and preferences, ensuring that students can find a suitable place to live during their study at the university..