Edith Cowan University (ECU): Programs, Costs, and Job Prospects

Edith Cowan University (ECU) is a public university located in Western Australia, established in 1991 and named after Edith Dircksey Cowan – Australia's first female parliamentarian, who made many contributions to education and society.

1.1. Teaching quality is rated 5 stars

Edith Cowan University is rated 5 stars in many important criteria such as teaching quality, student experience, learning resources, skills development and student support according to the Times Higher Education (THE) ranking system. In the THE 2025 rankings, ECU is in the group of 351 - 400 leading universities in the world, showing that the quality of training is stable and recognized on a global scale.

1.2. The university is young, dynamic and constantly innovating

Although ECU officially became a university in 1991, ECU has an academic background of more than 90 years, formerly known as Claremont Teachers College – a prestigious institution specializing in teacher training and teaching in Western Australia. ECU is also among the top universities under 50 years old in the world according to THE World University Rankings 2026.

1.3. Diverse disciplines, closely associated with labor market needs

Edith Cowan University offers training programs in many areas of strength such as Health and Health, Nursing, Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, Education, Business, Social Sciences and Performing Arts. The highlight of ECU is its hands-on curriculum, integrating internships, corporate projects, career simulations, and employment orientation support, making students work-ready immediately after graduation.

1.4. Reasonable study and living expenses

Compared to many other prestigious universities in Australia, tuition fees at ECU are considered quite reasonable, suitable for international students who want to optimize their study abroad budget. Besides, the cost of living in Perth is also more affordable than big cities such as Sydney and Melbourne, but still ensures a modern, comfortable and student-friendly living environment. Perth is also regularly classified as a safe and livable student city, especially suitable for young international students.

1.5. Comprehensive International Student Support System

ECU focuses on the international student experience through academic advising, personal support, career orientation and soft skills development. The university also offers a variety of automatic scholarship programs, helping students reduce their financial burden right from the admission stage. Along with that, modern facilities, open learning spaces, libraries, labs and student living areas are well-invested.

2.1. ECU City - New campus in 2026

ECU City Campus is ECU's newest and most modern campus, which will begin operations in the 2026 semester. Located in the heart of Perth's CBD, adjacent to Yagan Square and William Street Mall, – a crossroads between education, culture, creativity and community. This is a strategic development of ECU to bring higher education directly closer to real businesses, industries and labor markets.

• An open, flexible learning space integrated with modern technology makes it easy for students to participate in real projects and connect with organizations and businesses.

• Admissions courses at the new City Campus in 2026: Business & Law, Creative Industries, Performing Arts, Engineering & Technology, Radio and Digital Journalism

• When opened, ECU City will become the new highlight of Perth's central city, bringing together around 10,000 students and staff. It is expected that by 2030, this scale will increase to more than 11,500 people, contributing to expanding academic and career opportunities for students.

• The ECU City campus is the focus of the "Perth City Deal" project with a total investment of $853 million, of which ECU contributed $360 million. ECU City is expected to generate a total economic value of up to $7.5 billion in the long term and create 5,000 jobs during the construction phase.

2.2. Joondalup Campus

Joondalup is Edith Cowan University's largest and most modern campus, located about 25km north of Perth's city centre. at the same time, enjoy incentives when using SmartRider cards exclusively for students, helping to significantly save monthly travel costs.

• This is the place to train many of ECU's key disciplines such as Business, Information Technology, Engineering, Science, Nursing and Health Sciences.

• State-of-the-art facilities with laboratories, an architectural award-winning library, a sports center, and an outdoor cinema. It is also home to the most modern Security Operations Center in the Southern Hemisphere.

2.3. ECU South West (Bunbury Campus)

Edith Cowan University's South West (Bunbury) campus is the largest higher education institution in Western Australia's Regional region.

• The campus is part of an educational area that includes the South West Regional Vocational College of TAFE and the Bunbury Medical Campus (which includes St John of God Hospital and the South West Regional Health Service).

• The South West campus has a particular focus on the areas of Health, Nursing, Social Work, Education and Environmental Science.

• The curriculum emphasizes hands-on, career simulations and real-world experiences, with close cooperation between the school and health facilities, schools, and community organizations in the region.

2.4. Sri Lanka Campus

Sri Lanka is a training institution located in Colombo - the commercial and educational capital of Sri Lanka. The campus was designed to bring ECU's Australian-standard curriculum closer to students in South Asia and Asia, while creating flexible study pathways before transitioning to Australia.

• Students study Edith Cowan University's bachelor's degree program with curriculum, output standards and qualifications that are fully equivalent to Australian campuses.

• The training disciplines focus on highly applicable fields such as Business, Information Technology and Computer Science, in line with the global demand for human resources.

ECU stands out for its highly applicable training programs, closely following the actual needs of the labor market, including:

• Computer Science and Cyber Security

• Exercise Science Strength & Conditioning

• Health Sciences, Nursing, Public Health

• Education

• Engineering and Technology

• Creative Disciplines (Media, Design & the Arts)

• Performing Arts

• Economic sectors (Business, Commerce, Hospitality & Tourism)

• Psychology, Social Work and Counselling

4.1. For Undergraduate

For students who have completed high school in Vietnam, you may be eligible for a bachelor's degree program at ECU through one of the following forms:

• Students from Specialized High Schools: GPA of 7.25 or higher

• Students from other high schools: GPA of 7.75 or higher

• IELTS score of at least 6.0, with no band below 6.0

Students can be considered for direct admission to a bachelor's degree program at ECU if they have completed 1 year of undergraduate study or a Diploma - Diploma at a recognized higher education institution or college.

4.2. For Postgraduate

To be eligible to study coursework or research Master's programs, you need to have a Bachelor's degree with a grade point average (GPA) that meets the minimum requirements for each group of universities graduated, specifically:

• University Section 1: GPA of 2.75/4.0 or higher

• University Section 2: GPA of 3.0/4.0 or higher

• Or work experience relevant to the field of study enrolled (applicable to some programs)

• IELTS with a minimum score of 6.5, with no band below 6.0

4.3. Major Admissions at ECU

• Semester 1 (February): The largest intake period of the year, open to most Bachelor's and Postgraduate programs.

• Semester 2 (July): The second most popular admission period, suitable for students who need more time to complete their academic or English language profile.

• Some specific courses (especially at the postgraduate level): may be opened at the end of the year (November) or flexible admission period by faculty.

Proactively preparing your application at least 12 months before the admission period will help you control your time and ensure that your application progress is on schedule. To find out the exact application period and application deadline for each major at ECU, you should contact IDP directly for the latest information and advice on the appropriate route.

To help international students reduce the financial pressure of studying in Australia, Edith Cowan University offers a wide range of scholarships, applicable to both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. These scholarships are mainly based on academic merit and are considered automatically or program-specific, making it easy for students to access right from the application stage.

See also: Latest Updated Scholarships to Study in Australia in 2026

Find the right major for you at Edith Cowan University (ECU)

With a friendly learning environment and many supportive policies for international students, Edith Cowan University is the right choice for those who wish to study in Australia with a clear career path. From state-of-the-art academic campuses and strong disciplines to scholarships and flexible entry requirements, ECU provides a strong foundation for students to develop their skills, gain experience and be ready to enter the global workforce.

If you are dreaming of studying in Australia and want to discover the subject that suits you best at Edith Cowan University, IDP's consultants will support you comprehensively in every step of your study abroad journey, including:

• Advice on choosing a school and major: Suggesting a study program that suits your goals and abilities. IDP always organises study abroad seminars that take place throughout the year. You can meet directly with school representatives, consider scholarships on the spot.

• Admission Guide: A detailed guide for you to complete your application accurately and completely, ensuring that all requirements of Edith Cowan University (ECU) are met

• English Certificate Preparation: Support you to register for the IELTS test

  with many attractive offers.

• Scholarship Assistance: Stay up-to-date with the latest scholarship information and guide the application process to increase your chances of receiving a scholarship.

• Visa Consulting: Assist in preparing

  documents and guiding the process of applying for a student visa to Australia.

Book a consultation with IDP today!

Free study abroad consultation hotline: 19006955

See also:

References

1. Edith Cowan University - About ECU - https://www.ecu.edu.au/about-ecu

2. QS World University Rankings 2026 - https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/edith-cowan-university

3. Times Higher Education Rankings 2026 - https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/edith-cowan-university

4. Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) - https://www.shanghairanking.com/

5. Good Universities Guide - https://www.gooduniversitiesguide.com.au/

6. ECU International Scholarships – https://www.ecu.edu.au/future-students/international-students/scholarships

7. ECU Admission Requirements - Undergraduate - https://www.ecu.edu.au/future-students/international-students/entry-requirements