Edith Cowan University, or ECU, is one of Australia’s youngest universities, named after one of Australia’s most inspiring women.
Edith Cowan OBE is 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 the five universities in Western Australia, opening our doors in 1991. And like the youngest in any family, we’re on a mission to be noticed!
Like you, we’re young and curious. We’re constantly scanning global trends and translating this into challenging, realistic and practical courses that prepare students for the future.
Curiosity is also part of our world-class research, making a strong social, economic, environmental and cultural impact and improving 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 to create a better world.
So as a student, we’ll prepare you by teaching you 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 applies in all eight of our 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.
Here, you can expect your learning to go beyond the classroom, with practicum placements in real businesses or organisations, and opportunities for paid internships, university exchange programs and international study tours.
You can also study most of our courses fully or partly online.
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 (Good Universities Guide).
High quality teaching is integral to ECU’s values. It’s why our graduates have rated us 5 stars in the Good Universities Guide for an amazing 17 straight years.
Edith Cowan 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 – maybe one day you – an opportunity to access a quality education and to be 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 the city 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, 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 health 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, 200km 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.
Exciting new city campus in 2026
Building is well underway for our new city campus in central Perth, opening in 2026. We’re calling it the ‘university of the future’. It’ll be the new location for studies in creative industries, performing arts, business and technology.
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.
