A JCU strategic priority is transformative education, with an aim of widening participation in higher education for regional, remote, Indigenous, first-in-family and international students. Financial pressures are a key challenge for these students. While many student costs are beyond the control of JCU staff, prescribed textbook costs could be reduced by employing a range of strategies.
JCU Library 2023 textbook cost estimates show that 72 first-year core subjects had prescribed textbooks that cost students an average of $119 each. This means that first-year students could have paid approximately $2,194,238 for their prescribed textbooks for core subjects.
To address this issue, JCU Library has launched a Textbook Affordability Project (2024-2025) where Library staff invite collaboration with first-year core subject stakeholders to investigate if free-for-students alternatives can be identified. Options include:
Find out more on our Textbook Affordability Project Webpage, or contact our Open Education Team if you have any questions.
We acknowledge the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and acknowledge Traditional Owners of the lands where our staff and students, live, learn and work.
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