With its glorious white sandy beaches, almost unending sunshine and wealth of sunny faces, it's no wonder that Queensland is proving to be a popular choice for international students looking for a bright education in Australia.

"The Sunshine State" as it models itself, is indeed that, and it has no shortage of fantastic travel destinations as well as great places to study. Imagine studying in Tropical North Queensland, for example. You could attend university on the doorstep of a World Heritage site - the Great Barrier Reef.

This is where you will find internationally renowned scuba diving and snorkeling sites, and access to the most incredible array of marine wildlife. The area is also the home of James Cook University (JCU) offering more than 160 undergraduate and 140 postgraduate courses including arts, business, education, engineering, IT, medicine, law, science, and of course a world class location for studying marine biology.

The university has two campuses, in Cairns and Townsville, with their relaxed tropical lifestyle and cultural and nightlife attractions. And also access to a host of other fantastic places to visit stunning Magnetic Island, and the Atherton Tablelands with stunning scenery and waterfalls recognisable from many a shampoo advert. This is a truly breathtaking part of the world to learn in and learn about.

More about the Queensland Academic Year

• Universities in Queensland