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 5-star rating for teaching quality in the most recent Good Universities Guide 2026 and has maintained this record for 19 consecutive years. This consistency marks ECU as amongst the highest-rated universities in Australia, according to the Good Universities Guide 2026.

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 programs remain at the cutting-edge of the ever evolving needs of industry. 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 19 straight years, as per the latest ranking in the Good Universities Guide 2026.

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

• teaching quality
• skills development
• student support
• learning resources

The latest undergraduate ratings again put ECU at the top of all Western Australian universities.

The universities 2026 ratings included five stars from both undergraduate and postgraduate students in these categories.

ECU received a 5-star rating for postgraduate study in the following categories:

• overall education experience
• teaching quality
• student support
• skills development, and
• learning resources.

The university is also rated number one in Western Australia for overall experience, student support and full-time employment for postgraduate coursework students.

At the individual discipline level, ECU was rated number one in Australia in the subject areas of:

• Business and management (postgraduate)
• Computing and information systems (postgraduate)
• Education and training
• Science and mathematics (postgraduate)

ECU offers a wide range of programs 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, offering courses in cinematography, film directing, documentary-making, production and screenwriting. Programs like broadcasting, visual arts and communications will all be taught at ECU City.

Business and Law

The school is ranked in the top 300 universities globally in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject 2025 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 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 program 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 at ECU City 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, and 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 programs, 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 2026

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 2026

Future masters by coursework students from select countries are eligible for a 20 percent tuition fee reduction on the first year's tuition fee on select programs.

ECU City Campus Welcome Bursary

This is a AUD 5,000 bursary available to new international students commencing an undergraduate or master's by coursework program at ECU City Campus in Semester One or Two, 2026.

Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood (O12) Teaching International Scholarship

The Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Teaching (O12) Scholarship provides a 20 percent reduction in tuition fees for eligible full fee paying international students commencing the Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Teaching at in Semester Two, 2025 or Semester One, 2026.

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

ECU is committed to ensuring that its students can develop their technical skills, hone their talents and have mastery of their craft, all while accessing top-notch facilities that cater to their specific needs. This is one of the many reasons students choose ECU as their study destination.

Security Operations Centre (SOC)

Computing and technology students get first-hand experience in detecting, monitoring and responding to cyber security threats from the largest security operations centre in the southern hemisphere.

Securities and Markets Analytics and Research Teaching (SMART) Lab

This allows business students to have access in real-time to global financial market data and dual- screen terminals with Bloomberg and Thomson Reuters software, which is widely used by industry practitioners.

Giant Super Labs

ECU's new AUD 48-million-dollar science building houses high-tech laboratories in a 2,500 square metre space over two floors. The building design displays a periodic table, the largest in the world.

Moot Court

Students can participate in mock trials, and witness examination and cross-examination simulations in ECU's hybrid teaching space to develop professional skills in the legal world.

Spiegeltent

ECU was the first university in the world to house a Spiegeltent or mirror tent known as The Edith. The venue hosts many WAAPA events and is used during the Fringe World Festival, an annual highlight in Perth that ECU and WAAPA sponsor.

Art Gallery 25 and Spectrum Project Space

These galleries at the Mount Lawley campus allow art students to exhibit their artistic work, creative visions and remarkable talents.

TV Studio and Broadcasting Suite

The Mount Lawley campus offers a dedicated TV studio and broadcasting suite where students can collaborate. It specialises in scriptwriting, stage management and audio production.

Students can view and explore more ECU facilities on the official website.

New ECU City campus

Opening in February 2026, ECU City is a bold new campus in the heart of Perth, bringing together technology, industry and creativity in one dynamic vertical space. Students will find programs from the School of Arts & Humanities, School of Business & Law, School of Science, and the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), all supported by cutting-edge facilities and industry connections. Eligible international students can also receive an AUD 5,000 City Campus Bursary to help them settle in and start their journey in Perth.

Rankings

The 2025 QS World University Rankings by Subject once again highlight ECU's strong and rising global reputation, with excellent results across multiple discipline areas.

ECU continued its strong performance in education, remaining in the 251–300 band worldwide reinforcing the university's commitment to preparing high-quality, future-ready educators.

In nursing, ECU maintained its position in the 101–150 global band and ranked 18th nationally, reflecting the strength of its teaching, clinical partnerships and graduate outcomes.

ECU's excellence in sports-related subjects remain a standout. The university ranked a remarkable 36th globally and seventh in Australia, an outstanding result that continues to position ECU as a leader in sport science and human performance research.

ECU also sustained its strong presence in anatomy and physiology, remaining in the 101–150 band internationally and ranking ninth in Australia - a testament to the world-class work of the Exercise Medicine Research Institute and ECU's health and science programs.

Overall, the 2025 QS World University Rankings by Subject reaffirm Edith Cowan University's commitment to excellence in teaching, research and innovation, and its continued growth as one of Australia's most highly regarded young universities.