Edith Cowan University

Edith Cowan University, or ‘ECU’ as everyone calls us, is Western Australia’s youngest university. It’s also one of the world’s best young universities under 50 years old. But being young has never stopped ECU from making its mark on the higher education landscape. 

For an amazing seventeen years in a row, the university’s teaching quality has been rated 5-stars by graduates in the Good Universities Guide.

We also received 5-star ratings across overall experience, learning resources, skills development and student support.

Study at ECU

ECU has more than 31,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students. We also have one of the most multicultural student populations in Australia, typically welcoming around 7,000 international students from more than 100 countries.

From the scientific to the creative, there’s something for everyone to study at ECU, with around 250 courses for undergraduate and postgraduate students, and most offering the flexibility of online study.

Our courses are designed with industry consultation and our teaching staff have extensive professional experience and networks. So, our students can expect to gain the knowledge, skills and confidence they’ll need to meet the challenges of today’s and tomorrow’s workplaces.

Our courses are also internationally recognised, with many being professionally accredited by national and international organisations. Student learning also extends beyond the classroom with practicum placements in real businesses or organisations, and opportunities for paid internships and international study tours.

And because we have 90 exchange partners in 35 countries, our students can study for a semester at an international university. Our Study Abroad and Exchange program is another way to build their world ready education.

ECU’s Schools

ECU’s teaching and research is delivered through eight schools, reflecting the diversity of disciplines offered to students and staff. These are:

• Arts & Humanities
• Business & Law
• Education
• Engineering
• Medical & Health Sciences
• Nursing & Midwifery
• Science
• Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts

Some of our more highly ranked disciplines (globally or nationally) include sports science, nursing, cyber security, creative arts, engineering and teacher education.

About our name

In case you weren’t aware, ECU became a university in 1991 and was named after one of Australia’s most influential and inspiring women, Edith Cowan OBE. We’re the only university in Australia named after a woman.

Edith Cowan influenced the course of education in Australia, paving the way for many people to access education they could only previously dream of. She was also the first woman elected to the Australian Parliament. And her image proudly adorns Australia’s 50-dollar note!

Admission pathways

Taking inspiration from our namesake, ECU has been a leader in finding ways to give people from all circumstances – from school leavers to mature age students who’ve not studied for many years, to those from challenging socio-economic backgrounds – an opportunity to access higher education.  

This access is possible through a range of admission pathways, including university preparation courses and an experience-based entry scheme.

Our campuses

There are three campuses at ECU – two are within easy reach of the city of Perth and one is south of Perth in the fabulous South West region, a mecca for wine, surf and wildlife. All campuses have student accommodation with modern facilities, including swimming pools, access to a gym and sports activities.

Our Joondalup Campus is one of Australia’s most attractive campuses, with award- winning architecture and extensive gardens brimming with Australian native trees. It even has a lake and an outdoor cinema! Here, you can study courses in areas like medical science, nursing, engineering, computer science, business and law.

The Mount Lawley Campus is closer to Perth CBD and is the creative heart of ECU, including the home of the world-renowned Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. Here, you can study courses in arts and humanities, including media, design, psychology and social science, as well as teacher education and performing arts like acting, music and dance.

ECU’s South West Campus is in Bunbury, 200km from the capital, and is a leafy campus, surrounded by nature. Here, students can study courses in nursing, education, business, science and health sciences. They also enjoy smaller class sizes.

Plans are underway to build a new city campus in central Perth, opening to students from 2025. This exciting development will be the new location for studies in creative industries, performing arts, business and technology.

Visit us online

So, now you’re up-to-speed on our university. Why not drop by our website to find out more?