Edith Cowan University, or ECU, is one of Australia’s youngest universities, named after one of Australia’s most inspiring women.
Edith Cowan OBE was an Australian icon. She influenced the course of education in Australia, paving the way for many people to access education they could only previously dream of.
ECU is the youngest of Western Australia’s five universities, opening its doors in 1991. And like the youngest in any family, it’s on a mission to be noticed!
We’re young and we’re curious. We’re constantly scanning global trends and translating this into challenging, realistic and practical courses that prepare our students for the future.
Our curiosity also extends to world-class research that has strong social, economic, environmental and cultural impact and makes a practical difference to people’s lives.
Creative thinkers are made here
At ECU, we believe that human creativity, combined with the inspiration of learning, has the power to transform lives and create a better world. So, the preparation of our students includes teaching them the skills sought by industries and employers worldwide, such as creative thinking and problem solving. We encourage positive mindsets where problems are seen as opportunities.
This approach is extended across all eight teaching schools – Arts & Humanities, Business & Law, Education, Engineering, Medical & Health Sciences, Nursing, Science and the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts.
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.
A five-star university experience
ECU is now an established Australian leader in the delivery of quality teaching, student support and the overall experience of our students — both domestic and international (The Good Universities Guide 2024).
High-quality teaching is integral to ECU’s values. It’s why we’ve been rated five stars in The Good Universities Guide for an amazing 16 straight years.
Edith Cowan OBE believed that education was fundamental to tackling social issues as well as the key to growth, change and improvement.
So befitting her vision, inclusion and equity are also part of our DNA, providing everyone an opportunity to access a quality education and to be always respected as individuals.
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, Wi-Fi, gym access and sport 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 such as 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 performance, music and dance.
ECU South-West is in Bunbury — 200 kilometres from the capital — and is a leafy campus surrounded by nature. Here, students can study courses in arts, nursing, education, business, science and health sciences. They also enjoy smaller class sizes.
ECU City
Our new campus in the heart of the Perth CBD will represent the future of university education — urban, connected, integrated with business and community and part of the lifeblood of a thriving city.
ECU City will seamlessly bring together creative industries, business and technology to deliver a world-class university campus that transforms the city of Perth.
Located at the heart of Perth’s commercial, cultural and entertainment districts, ECU City will feature some of the world’s most digitally advanced facilities and labs, which will enable next-generation learning in future technologies.
ECU City will open to students from 2026.
Contact us
To contact ECU, please telephone 134 328 within Australia or +61 8 6304 0000 from overseas. You can also email us at futurestudy@ecu.edu.au or visit ecu.edu.au.
