Edith Cowan University (ECU) is a public university in Perth. It is named in honour of the first woman to be elected to an Australian parliament, Edith Cowan. Gaining university status in 1991, it was formed from an amalgamation of tertiary colleges with a history dating back to 1902 when the Claremont Teachers College was established.

ECU offers more than 300 courses across two metropolitan campuses, in Joondalup and Mount Lawley, and a regional campus in Bunbury, 200km south of Perth; many courses are also offered for study online. Additionally, the university has partnerships with several education institutions to conduct courses and programs offshore. In 2020, the university enrolled over 31,000 students at undergraduate and postgraduate level, approximately 7,000 of whom were international students.

Schools

ECU is organised into eight teaching schools, with each school responsible for ongoing research programs.

Arts & Humanities

One of the largest and most comprehensive schools of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, Arts & Humanities offers a diverse range of programs covering Media and Communications, Contemporary Arts, Design, Psychology and Social Sciences, Criminology and Justice and the Humanities.

Business & Law

The School offers a comprehensive range of courses with major specialisations, as well as specialist industry-focussed degrees. Broad areas of study include Law, Management, Finance and Banking, Marketing and Commerce, with all courses delivering relevant theory, practical work experience and generic employability skills.

Education

ECU has been at the forefront of teacher education for over 100 years and the School of Education is the largest in Western Australia. Courses are available in a range of early childhood, primary and secondary education settings.

Engineering

One of the fastest-growing Engineering schools in Australia, with courses in the areas of civil, chemical, mechanical, electrical power, mechatronics, control and automation, electronics, communications, computer systems, naval architecture, marine and offshore engineering, and motorsports.

Medical & Health Sciences

The school is home to learning and research in medical, biomedical, exercise and sports science and paramedical science, with courses in medical science, human biology, emergency medical services, public health, nutrition, environmental health, occupational safety and health, exercise and sports science and occupational therapy.

Nursing & Midwifery

The school runs the largest undergraduate nursing program in Western Australia. A diverse and exciting mix of courses is offered to students, with courses being developed in consultation with industry groups and combining the latest theory with hands-on, practical experiences.

Science

The school offers a diverse range of industry-relevant courses with a strong emphasis on practical skills in the laboratory or field. Science-based courses are offered in the areas of computing, information science, security science, biology, environmental science, chemistry, mathematics and physics.

Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts

Recognised nationally and internationally for the quality of its graduates, WAAPA provides the most comprehensive range of performing arts training in Australia. Employing world-class staff, the school enjoys state-of-the-art performance and teaching facilities.

Kurongkurl Katitjin

Kurongkurl Katitjin is our Centre for Indigenous Australian Education and Research. The Centre plays a vital role in assisting ECU to meet its commitment to Indigenous peoples, supporting University-wide activities and programs, as well as activities specific to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and their cultures.

ECU South West

Situated 5km from the Bunbury CBD, our South West Campus is Western Australia’s largest university campus outside the Perth metropolitan area. Here, courses are offered in arts, business, nursing, engineering, teacher education and social work, all with the benefit of great facilities, small class sizes and on-campus accommodation.

Rankings

#21 in Australia and 201-250th in the World for Education & Training, QS World University Rankings 2021

#6 in Australia and 101-150th in the World for Petroleum Engineering, QS World University Rankings 2021

#12 in Australia and 51-100th in the World for Nursing, QS World University Rankings 2021

#6 in Australia and 51-100th in the World for Performing Arts, QS World University Rankings 2021

#8 in Australia and 30th in the World for Sports Related Subjects, QS World University Rankings 2021

Campuses

Joondalup

ECU’s Joondalup Campus is the University's headquarters. The campus boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including the Health and Wellness Building, a multi-million dollar sport and fitness centre, an award-winning library and student hub, a microbrewery, an outdoor cinema for the summer months and on-campus accommodation.

Mount Lawley

ECU’s Mount Lawley Campus is only minutes from Perth CBD and the Beaufort Street cafe strip. It is equipped with extensive teaching resources, first-rate IT and performing arts facilities, a sport and fitness centre and on-campus accommodation. The campus is also home to the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA).

South West Campus

Located two hours' drive south of Perth, ECU’s South West Campus in Bunbury is within easy reach of the world-famous Margaret River region. The Campus is the largest university campus outside the metropolitan area and features modern facilities, small class sizes, a comprehensive range of courses and on-campus accommodation.