Great news, you’ve decided to study abroad at CQUniversity, one of the largest universities that has locations all around Australia, and take up a new opportunity, adventure and education.

Now the hard part – where to study? CQUniversity (Central Queensland University) has 16 campuses scattered around Australia, we offer the largest physical presence of any tertiary education institution in Australia with a wide range of program and course offerings.

You can choose between the relaxed pace of a regional location, such as Cairns, Noosa or Bundaberg; or perhaps you’re after the bustling city life of Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide or Perth. The choice is now yours.

Note: international students can study at 14 of the 16 campuses.

The decision isn’t always easy, especially when there is so much to enjoy at each campus.

Did you know: over the past five years CQUniversity has invested $220+ million into new facilities and capital works, so you know each campus is always using the most up-to-date software and technology, to make your student experience even more enjoyable and current.

The good news – you don’t have to feel stuck once you’ve made your decision. You can transfer to other campuses and study credits to discover more of Australia.

We delve into each location to give you a better idea of where you could be studying to hopefully help you make the right decision for you.

Where in Australia Should I Study?

Adelaide

Adelaide is a culturally rich city known for its festivals, beaches, food, wine and cafe culture.

The CQUniversity Adelaide campus is close to Adelaide Showgrounds and easily accessible to public transport.

The campus is home to The Appleton Institute, a multidisciplinary research hub. The institute specialises in research, teaching and community engagement in a wide range of areas including safety science, sleep and fatigue, human factors and safety management, applied psychology, human-animal interaction and cultural anthropology.

The campus enjoys state-of-the-art facilities including a sleep laboratory and interactive rail simulator. According to QS, Adelaide has been voted as the 41st best student city in the world.

Find out more about the Adelaide campus.

Brisbane

Brisbane is the capital city of Queensland and is home to world-class galleries, live music scenes and a thriving cafe culture.

The CQUniversity Brisbane campus is centrally located only a short walk from Central train station and is close to Brisbane Arcade, Botanic Gardens and parklands.

Brisbane enjoys a warmer climate than its southern metropolitan cities and is a major departure point for the Gold Coast – the largest beach resort area in Australia.

The campus was recently refurbished in 2019 and has areas where you can relax and mingle with your friends over lunch or catch-ups between classes.

Brisbane campus has high-tech multimedia labs and is home to one of the four CQUEnglish Language Centres. According to QS, Brisbane has been voted as the 21st best student city in the world.

There is an airport Welcome Desk and you may even run into Bluey the blue-winged kookaburra who usually flies around the international terminal. You can also visit the Brisbane Student Hub, located at the Brisbane Multicultural Centre who can provide you with information and advice – from healthcare and employment to local events and activities.

Watch a video of the Brisbane campus.

Find out more about the Brisbane campus.

Bundaberg

Bundaberg is located on a tree-studded 23-hectare site in the agricultural belt of Queensland, midway between Rockhampton and Brisbane.

CQUniversity Bundaberg is close to popular attractions such as world heritage listed Fraser Island, nesting sea turtles at Mon Repos beach, and is a gateway to the southern boundary of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

Since 2007, students have had access to a $4.7 million dollar academic and research building, which includes a state-of-the-art 64-seat scientific laboratory, sound studio and multi-media and science research facilities.

Keen for a swim? The city is only 15 km from a pleasant coastal environment with safe sandy beaches, clear water warm enough for swimming year-round and snorkelling or SCUBA diving in coral ecosystems, directly from coastal rocks.

Read student Tanya McIntyre’s experience at CQUniveristy Bundaberg on the blog.

Find out more about the Bundaberg campus.

Cairns

Cairns is one of the newest campuses (opening in 2015) located in the heart of the CBD and has a spectacular view of the Cairns Promenade, making it a perfect location for study and travel.

CQUniversity Cairns has strong links to community and industry, supporting the Cairns Taipans basketball team and local organisations.

The campus delivers modern nursing, engineering and paramedic science labs, recording studios and, for the first time to international students, aviation through the Bachelor of Aviation (Commercial Pilot).

Cairns enjoys a tropical climate and is the perfect gateway to the Daintree Rainforest, Kuranda and Port Douglas. Tip: Make sure you try a crocodile stew!

Find out more about the Cairns campus.

Gladstone City & Gladstone Marina

Gladstone co-exists within a diverse region between tourism, community and industry, and is located next to the harbour with spectacular views.

CQUniversity Gladstone is located 1132km south from Rockhampton and has two convenient locations: City and Marina with modern buildings and spacious grounds.

Gladstone City offers specialist training for the gas industry, instrumentation and business studies.

Gladstone Marina is home to the University’s Engineering and Environmental Management Complex, devoted to research and training, providing a venue for conferences and residential schools. Watch a video of the campus.

Enjoy being in the water? Gladstone is the main departure point for some of the best-known dive sites in the southern Barrier Reef, including Heron Island.

The city is a short drive from the Discovery Coast, the home of the most northern surfing beaches on the east coast of Australia.

Mackay City & Mackay Ooralea

Mackay has seen CQUniversity students since 1987 and has two campuses: City and Ooralea, which includes a $46 million Trades Training Centre and $16 million Engineering building.

CQUniversity Mackay is located approx. 1000km north from the Brisbane capital (an hour flight) and has modern facilities for nursing, engineering and the trades.

The City campus offers a vocational training hub, including computer laboratories, a training restaurant, a hairdressing and beauty salon, gym, library and student common areas.

The Ooralea campus is home to the internationally regarded Conservatorium of Music (CQCM) and new sports precinct, giving the region a national reputation.

The well-equipped sporting facilities have nurtured the talents of Olympic and Commonwealth Games medalists such as runners Cathy Freeman and Benita Willis, swimmers Geoff Huegill, Nick Frost, Susie O’Neill and Linda Mackenzie, tennis player Nicole Pratt and many more.

The Ooralea campus also provides on-campus student accommodation, a great way to meet fellow students and make new friends.

The Mackay region boasts an enviable lifestyle and a buoyant economy with the benefits of a fast-growing coastal city that has easy access to the Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsundays.

Perth is located in Western Australia and is known as the ‘City of Light’. Perth enjoys a pristine coastline, award-winning food and wineries, culture and arts, outback adventures and it shares the same time zone with 60% of the world’s population!

Perth was voted the world’s #2 friendliest city in 2017 and recently placed in National Geographic’s Best Trips 2019.

CQUniversity Perth is a brand new campus in the heart of the CBD, only a short walk away from Elizabeth Quay that boasts state-of-the-art facilities with modern labs and study areas. View photos of the Perth campus.

Courses range from accident forensics, sonography, echocardiography, engineering labs and more.

Perth is a quick flight to most Asian cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Delhi, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, and according to QS, Perth has been voted as the 39th best student city in the world.

There is a StudyPerth Airport Welcome Desk that is run by international students who already know their way around the city. The students will offer a meet & greet service where you’ll receive a welcome pack and practical support.

Why choose Perth? Read our reasons why this could be the campus choice and location for you.

Find out more about the Perth campus.

Rockhampton North & Rockhampton City

Rockhampton North is where CQUniversity first originated when it opened its doors in 1967, providing education and services for the largely rural Central Queensland region.

CQUniversity Rockhampton lies on the Tropic of Capricorn and situated 633km north of the Brisbane capital, offering two campus locations: North and City. Watch a video of the Rockhampton campuses.

The City campus offers a range of short courses in business, hospitality and beauty in a convenient central location.

The Rockhampton North campus is situated within a tranquil and picturesque environment, ideal for studying. The campus includes a recently refurbished library, Engineering Precinct, and Allied Health Clinic, which serves the greater public as well as providing students with hands-on practical learning experiences.

Rockhampton North also has an on-campus student residence, sporting facilities and a CQUEnglish Language Centre.

Rockhampton is the gateway to the beautiful Great Barrier Reef, Keepel Island and beachside communities at Yeppoon and Emu Park.

Find out more about the Rockhampton campuses.

Sydney

Sydney is located within a five-minute walk to Town Hall station and is centrally located opposite Darling Harbour.

CQUniversity Sydney is the largest metropolitan campus with the largest student population, offering the excitement of a world-class city and a truly international outlook, being the unofficial business and finance capital of Australia.

The modern campus has high-tech multimedia labs and recreational spaces and is home to one of the four CQUEnglish Language Centres.

There is a StudyNSW Airport Welcome Desk that is run by helpful local and international students who know their way around the city. The students will offer a meet & greet service and are ready to answer your questions when you arrive. You’ll find the welcome desk at T1 International in the Arrivals Hall opposite passenger exit A.

Watch a video of the Sydney campus.

The city is home to the iconic Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge and iconic beaches such as Bondi. According to QS, Sydney has been voted as the 9th best student city in the world.

Read a day in the life of an international student living in Sydney on the CQUniLife blog.

Find out more about the Sydney campus.

Townsville

Townsville is located on the banks of the Ross Creek in the CBD across two buildings – Building One opened in 2015, and the new, purpose-built Building Two opened in 2017, which includes nursing and science labs, teaching and spaces and free parking.

CQUniversity Townsville is close to a cinema, cafes and restaurants, bars, retail outlets and gyms, so you’re catered for no matter what your mood.

The area is known for its cultural festivals and events, a thriving food and bar scene, and is home to the North Queensland Cowboys Rugby League team and the Townsville Fire Womens NBL team.

Townsville, with its tropical climate, is the largest city in northern Australia but still has strong ties to the community. Feel like a local through CQUniversity’s partnership programs including ‘Caz’ hybrid shower and laundry van and Business Women’s Circle.

Townsville has dedicated clinical skills lab for nursing and paramedic science, an IT hub and the latest presentation audio and visual conference equipment.

Townsville is located 350km south of Cairns and 1300km north of Brisbane and is the gateway to the outback, Magnetic Island and the Whitsundays.

Find out more about the Townsville campus.

Decision Time – Study at CQUniversity Australia

We hope this overview has helped you make a decision on where you want to study at CQUniversity Australia. There’s so much to see, do and enjoy in Australia – no matter whether you choose a regional city, town or metropolitan city. We look forward to seeing you on campus soon!

Enjoyed this? You might enjoy these top questions answered relating to your CoE and tips for moving to Australia on the CQUniLife blog.