Edith Cowan University

Established in 1991, Edith Cowan University (ECU) is a modern Australian institution with a reputation for delivering a progressive and forward-thinking curriculum. ECU ensures that its students are well-placed to meet the future needs of society by equipping them with the transferable skills and knowledge needed for careers in specialist fields. The university has been awarded a five-star rating for teaching quality in the most recent Good Universities Guide (2024) and has maintained this record for 17 consecutive years. This consistency marks ECU as amongst the highest rated universities in Australia (Good Universities Guide 2024).

ECU is situated in Perth, the state capital of Western Australia. Perth is known for its sweeping landscapes of ancient rock formations, world-class wineries, thousands of miles of sandy beaches, and clear, warm waters. It is a dynamic city with a rapidly growing economy and plenty of attractions, activities and culture for students to discover.

There are over 250 courses available at ECU. Many of the university's courses have been developed in collaboration with professional partners to ensure programmes remain at the cutting-edge of the ever evolving needs of industry. A wide selection of courses at ECU also include vocational modules and industry placements in relevant subject areas. Designed to equip students with real-world work experience and strong critical thinking skills, these unique opportunities ensure ECU graduates have everything they need to stand out to in the job market.

ECU is committed to fostering a welcoming learning community and has a diverse population of around 7,000 international students representing over 100 countries worldwide. The university provides a range of support services which aid the academic and personal development of its total population of 30,000 students. It also offers a variety of scholarships and bursaries, which provide equal learning opportunities for students from all backgrounds.

ECU is committed to providing a memorable learning experience for its students. The university has maintained its 5-star rating for undergraduate teaching quality for 17 straight years, as per the latest ranking in the Good Universities Guide 2024.

ECU was rated five stars for undergraduate studies in the following categories:

• overall experience
• skills development
• student support
• learning resources

The university was also rated number one in Western Australia across all categories surveyed among undergraduates.

ECU received a 5-star rating for postgraduate study in the following categories: overall experience, teaching quality, student support, skills development, and learning resources. These postgraduate ratings put ECU at the top of all Western Australian universities.

At the individual discipline level, ECU was rated number one in Australia in the subject areas of computing and information systems, education and training, business and management, and science and mathematics.

ECU offers a wide range of programmes across the following schools:

Arts and Humanities

From communications to criminology, this school offers a range of study options and is home to one of the world's best film and television schools, the Western Australian Screen Academy.

Business and Law

The school is the top-ranked business school for quality in Australia and ranked in the top 250 universities globally in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject 2023 for Business and Economics. The school has also joined the elite group of the world's top business schools with accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

Engineering & Technology

The school is one of the fastest-growing engineering schools in Australia and is recognised internationally for its excellent quality of education and research, as well as outstanding infrastructure and facilities.

Medical and Health Science

The school offers a diverse and exciting mix of courses that are developed in consultation with industry groups and are formally accredited by both national and international professional accrediting bodies.

Nursing and Midwifery

The school provides students with access to state-of-the-art health and wellness facilities and has a reputation for producing some of the highest quality nursing and midwifery graduates in Western Australia.

Science

ECU's School of Science offers world-class teaching and research facilities and the largest programme and cyber security research centre in Australia. The ECU Security Research Institute is one of the leading cyber security research centres in Australia.

Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA)

WAAPA is one of the leading performing arts academies in the world and offers a comprehensive range of performing arts training across acting, dance, music, design, arts management, or production.

International students applying to study at ECU need to meet both academic and English-language requirements to be accepted into their chosen course. All English entry requirements will depend on the course and study level.

English requirements

• Standard undergraduate course entry requires an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with no band under 6.0.
• Standard postgraduate coursework entry requires an IELTS of 6.5 overall, with no band under 6.0

Students can visit the English competency page for more information on the English tests that are accepted by the university.

Undergraduate students

International students must submit one of the following academic documents:

• Recognised secondary school results
• Proof of completion of one-year equivalent tertiary study from a recognised international or Australian institution
• Proof of completion of diploma program from a recognised international or Australian institution

Postgraduate students

International students are required to have one or more of the following:

• Bachelor's degree — from a recognised institution equivalent to Australia's bachelor level
• At least five years' professional work experience for select postgraduate business programmes, such as project management, MBA and international hospitality management and a few others
• For postgraduate research — a 300-word research abstract of a proposed topic for students interested in research, alongside research experience and/or citations

Alternative Pathway Entry

For students who do not meet ECU's minimum entry requirements, Edith Cowan College (ECC) offers a range of study options, including:

• Diploma pathways into undergraduate courses such as nursing, communications, counselling, science, IT, cyber security, and engineering
• Postgraduate Qualifying Program (PQP) for those wishing to pursue a master's degree with an undergraduate program that does not meet entry criteria
• ELICOS, packaged from 5-52 weeks, subject to a diagnostic test

ECU offers numerous scholarships and bursaries to international students.

International Undergraduate Scholarship 2025

Students receive a 20 percent tuition fee reduction for the duration of a bachelor course at ECU. This is available to future students from select countries applying for select undergraduate courses.

International Masters Scholarship 2025

Future masters by coursework students from select countries are eligible for a 20 percent tuition fee reduction for the duration of the course on select programmes.

Australian Qualification International Scholarship 2025

This scholarship offers a 20percent reduction in tuition fees for the duration of a student's course and is open to future international students of all nationalities who have completed an Australian education program, either in Australia or abroad

Students can visit ECU's scholarship webpage to learn more about other scholarship offerings, bursaries and eligibility.

Discover the future at ECU Global Information Week!

The ECU Global Information Week runs from 7-11 April, where students can explore what Edith Cowan University has to offer. Get insider insights on courses, scholarships, student life, and career opportunities in Australia. Connect with ECU experts and students to have questions answered.

Students should register now to secure their spot and make sure they don't miss out!

The 2024 QS World University Rankings by Subject saw ECU once again demonstrate its academic excellence by securing a high ranking in six subject categories. The results highlight consistent performance across various disciplines.

ECU maintained its position in the category of Education and Training, maintaining its position in the 251-300 band worldwide and receiving a ranking of number 22 in Australia. This is a reflection of ECU's dedication to delivering high-quality training for future educators.

Nursing is another category in which ECU maintained its position, retaining its placement in the 101-150 band globally and securing a rank of number 18 in Australia. In sports-related subjects, ECU ranked a commendable 36 out of 785 institutions assessed globally and an enviable number seven within Australia, an excellent performance for a young university.

ECU made an impressive debut in the Anatomy and Physiology category, being ranked in the 101-150 band internationally and at number nine in Australia. This ranking is reflective of the quality of the sports science courses on offer and the sterling work of the Exercise Medicine Research Institute at ECU.

Overall, the 2024 QS World University Rankings by Subject reflect a steadfast commitment on the part of Edith Cowan University to excellence in education, research and innovation across a wide range of disciplines.