Discover Edith Cowan University

Edith Cowan College and University are named after an Australian icon

The first woman ever to get into an Australian parliament, Edith Cowan OBE was a trailblazer who fought tirelessly to improve conditions for women, children, families, the poor, the under-educated and the elderly.

She influenced the course of education in Australia, paving the way for many people to access education they could only previously dream of.

When we opened our doors as a university in 1991, we didn’t just acquire Edith’s name; we embraced her values and her vision.

For example, we champion inclusion and equity – everyone is welcome here, however diverse their background.

If you become an ECU student, we’ll totally support you through all kinds of dedicated systems and friendly staff, especially if you experience personal or academic challenges.

We even have a Wellness Centre for students.

Our teaching and other staff will actively engage with you, always making themselves available and prioritising your learning experience.

No wonder we’re consistently ranked one of the best in Australia for things like student support and overall student experience (Good Universities Guide 2024).

We make creative thinkers here too

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 we’ll prepare you by teaching you the skills we know industries and employers worldwide are looking for, such as creative thinking and problem-solving.

We’ll encourage you to have a positive mindset, and to see problems as opportunities.

Speaking of teaching, we’re also an established Australian leader in the quality of our teaching.

It’s a big part of our values. And it’s why our graduates have rated us 5 stars for 17 straight years in the Good Universities Guide.

Diverse students, diverse staff and diverse courses

As a student, you’ll be spoilt for choices at ECU.

There’s so much variety across our eight study areas – Arts & Humanities, Business & Law, Engineering, Medical & Health Sciences, Nursing, Science, Teacher Education and the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts.

Our courses are internationally recognised too, 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, opportunities for paid internships, university exchange programs and international study tours.

Coming soon: A university like no other

Opening to students in 2026, ECU City is our exciting new campus that will not only transform our city of Perth, but also create new ways of learning and opportunities for all students.

Maybe you’ll be one of its first students?