Study in Australia or Singapore? James Cook University’s business degrees let you do both

26 Aug 2016

Australia has always enjoyed strong links with Southeast Asia, especially in the areas of business and education. Its relative proximity and affordability means Australia is the first choice for many Southeast Asians looking to work, study or establish business links in a foreign country.

Well over 200,000 new international students enrol at Australian higher education institutions every year, with most of these coming from Asian nations. Of these, almost 45 percent pursue business and management degrees at both undergraduate and postgraduate level, a true testament to the quality of Australia’s business education offerings.

While studying in Australia remains massively popular among Asian students, some universities are going the extra mile by establishing their own campuses in Southeast Asia. This gives students the best of both worlds; the convenience and affordability of studying close to home, with the option to benefit from the immersive experience of studying in Australia for some of their degree – essential for honing English-language skills and experiencing the ‘real Australia’.

One such institution is James Cook University (JCU), which established its Singapore campus in 2003. With its ideal location in the region’s leading financial hub, affordable fees and living costs, and fast-track study options (usually two years), JCU’s Singapore campus has attracted business students from across the region, and around the world.

Starting with just 34 students in 2003, JCU Singapore is now home to a diverse cohort of more than 3,500 students, with plans to grow this number to 5,000 in the near future at its Sims Drive campus.

Many choose JCU Singapore because of its extensive range of undergraduate and postgraduate business degrees, and the knowledge that they will receive their qualification from a top Australian university. JCU is ranked in the top two percent of universities worldwide, and has been awarded 5 stars (top mark) for graduate job success by the Good Universities Guide six years in a row.

“I’ve chosen to come to Singapore because Singapore is a great place to study business since it’s one of the world’s financial centres,” says Fabian Marquardt, a German student studying International Business at JCU Singapore.

“With its two-year program JCU gives me the opportunity to graduate earlier and therefore join the workforce earlier…You learn to work together with people from different countries and different cultures…which is very important for your future career when you think about globalisation.”

Much of JCU’s success comes from the impressive number of specialisations for business students at both its Australian and Singapore campuses.

JCU’s two-year Master of Business Administration (MBA) program is available in Singapore, and at its Queensland campuses in Townsville. This is a forward-thinking MBA that places a strong emphasis on equipping future managers to succeed in a fast-changing world.

There is a strong emphasis on modern governance and sustainable business practices. The MBA covers all the essential core areas such as economics, finance, marketing, human resource management, accounting, business law, information technology, strategy and leadership and statistics. Students can choose from the MBA’s general stream, or specialise in Conflict Management and Resolution, or Creativity and Innovation – offered entirely online. MBA students can also opt for joint degrees in areas such as Information Technology, Hospitality & Tourism and Public Health.

“At JCU, we’re very serious about our industry links. Not only were we guided by an expert industry panel in the design of the MBA, but every single subject involves an industry partner and involves students working on real-life projects,” says Professor David Low, head of JCU’s business school.

For undergraduate students, JCU’s Australian and Singapore campuses offer an equally diverse Bachelor of Business degree. Students of this three-year degree get the added benefit of one semester abroad, so Australia-based students get global business hub experience in Singapore, while Singapore-based students can take a semester in Queensland to truly immerse themselves in Australian culture.

As with any good business degree, JCU places a strong emphasis on integrated learning, so students are confident and work-ready when they graduate. Meanwhile, class sizes are small, allowing for ample one-on-one time with lecturers and a more personal teaching style.

As with JCU’s MBA, flexibility is at the heart of its Bachelor of Business offerings, both in terms of how students choose to approach their studies, and what they would like to specialise in. The degree can be taken on a part-time or full-time basis, with online study options available.

However, it is the sheer number of specialisations on offer – 10 in all – that really sets JCU’s Bachelor of Business apart from the crowd. Students can choose from: Accounting; Banking and Finance; Business Intelligence and Information Systems; Economics; Financial Management; Hospitality and Tourism Management; International Business; Management; Marketing; or Sports and Events Management.

Again, graduate employability is excellent and graduates can expect to enter the workforce at very impressive salary levels.

For prospective business students from Australia, Asia, and around the globe, James Cook University provides a truly international education experience. With campuses spanning two continents, a long-established reputation as one of the world’s top universities, and a proven track record for graduate employability, JCU’s flexible learning options have established it as a firm favourite for business students in the Asia-Pacific region.

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