Edith Cowan University
Joondalup, Australia • Founded 1991 • World Rank #817
Updated May 2026
Overview
Founded in 1991, the Edith Cowan University is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the small city of Joondalup (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), Western Australia.
This institution also has a branch campus in Mt Lawley and Bunbury. Officially recognized by the Department of Education and Training of Australia, Edith Cowan University (ECU) is a large-sized coeducational Australian higher education institution.
Edith Cowan University (ECU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor's degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation), bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study. This 33-year-old Australian higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic records and grades.
The acceptance rate range is 70-79% making this Australian higher education organization a moderately selective institution.
International students are welcome to apply for enrollment. ECU also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
Address, contact details, and online presence for Edith Cowan University are summarised below. Cross-check with the official website if you intend to send documents or financial information.
Academic Details
Enrolment, faculty headcount, and accreditation data for Edith Cowan University — the academic basics in one place. Cross-reference these against programme-specific data when finalising your shortlist.
Academic Structures
Edith Cowan University's constituent schools and faculties. Continuing education or professional development units are typically separate from full-time degree-granting units.
Unit 9 items
- ECU South West
- School of Arts and Humanities
- School of Business and Law
- School of Education
- School of Engineering
- School of Medical and Health Sciences
- School of Nursing and Midwifery
- School of Science
- Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts
Degrees
The degrees available at Edith Cowan University are categorised by level. Pathway programmes leading into degree-level entry exist for students with non-standard prior qualifications.
Bachelor's 9 programs
Bachelor's programmes build foundational expertise, preparing graduates for entry-level professional roles and further postgraduate study.
- Business Administration
- Computer Science
- Health Sciences
- Law
- Natural Sciences
- Performing Arts
- Sports
- Teacher Training
- Tourism
Master's 11 programs
Master's programmes develop advanced specialised expertise, suited to senior industry positions and applied research.
- Biological and Life Sciences
- Business Administration
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Mathematics
- Midwifery
- Nursing
- Performing Arts
- Public Health
- Social Sciences
- Sports
Doctoral 2 programs
Doctoral programmes train independent researchers, leading to academic, scientific, and senior advisory careers.
- Health Administration
- Information Technology
Faculties & Divisions
All faculties operate under Department of Education and Training of Australia.
Business and Law (Faculty) 10 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Accountancy
- Business Administration
- Commercial Law
- Finance
- Hotel Management
- Human Resources
- International Business
- Law
- Management
- Tourism
Common Career Paths
- Business Analyst
- Operations Manager
- Strategy Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Education and Arts (Faculty) 15 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Acting
- Cinema and Television
- Communication Arts
- Cultural Studies
- Dance
- Design
- Display and Stage Design
- Education
- Journalism
- Media Studies
- Music
- Performing Arts
- Photography
- Public Relations
- Theatre
Common Career Paths
- Teacher
- Educational Administrator
- Curriculum Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Health, Engineering and Science (Faculty) 21 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering
- Biological and Life Sciences
- Biology
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Science
- Electronic Engineering
- Engineering
- Information Sciences
- Marine Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Midwifery
- Nursing
- Nutrition
- Occupational Therapy
- Physical Therapy
- Psychology
- Social Sciences
- Sports
- Telecommunications Engineering
Common Career Paths
- Engineer
- Project Manager
- Technical Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Programs Offered
Find a programme at Edith Cowan University by filter, or browse by degree level. Online and on-campus delivery modes differ in tuition, time commitment, and credential recognition — confirm which mode each programme runs in.
157 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in Australia
Bachelor's Degree 64 programmes
Showing 10 of 64.
Honours Degree 20 programmes
Showing 10 of 20.
Master's Degree 50 programmes
Showing 10 of 50.
Doctorate 4 programmes
Postgraduate Certificate 8 programmes
Postgraduate Diploma 11 programmes
Showing 10 of 11.
How to apply to Edith Cowan University
How to apply to Edith Cowan University — a five-step structure with notes on documents, channels, and timing for each phase.
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1
Find a programme that fits your goals
Begin by reviewing the programmes section above. Edith Cowan University offers 157 programmes grouped by qualification level. Decide on a target tier (bachelor's, master's, or doctoral) before narrowing by subject.
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2
Confirm you meet the requirements
Each programme at Edith Cowan University has its own entry requirements — academic minimums, language proficiency, supporting documents, and sometimes interviews or portfolios. Check the programme-specific page or contact admissions to confirm eligibility.
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3
Assemble your application package
Most applications require certified academic records, identification documents, language test certificates (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent for English-medium programmes), CV/résumé, and a statement of purpose. Allow extra time for document authentication.
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4
Submit your application
Apply directly via Edith Cowan University's online portal at www.ecu.edu.au. Complete the application form, upload supporting documents, and pay any application fee. Confirmation emails typically arrive within a few business days.
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5
Contact admissions and follow up
After submitting, confirm receipt with the admissions office and track your application status through the portal. Reach the institution by phone at +61 (0)8 6304 0000. Set reminders for any interview requests, additional document submissions, or admission decision deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions about Edith Cowan University
Common questions students ask about Edith Cowan University — answers pulled straight from the institution's published profile.
In what year was Edith Cowan University established?
Edith Cowan University was founded in 1991 (approximately 35 years ago).
Where can I find Edith Cowan University?
The institution is located in Joondalup, Australia.
Is Edith Cowan University public or private?
Edith Cowan University is a public institution.
How many students does Edith Cowan University have?
The institution has a student body of 15,000-19,999.
Where does Edith Cowan University stand in university rankings?
Edith Cowan University is ranked #817 globally and #26 in Australia.
What programmes are available at Edith Cowan University?
Edith Cowan University offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes.
How many faculties does Edith Cowan University have?
Edith Cowan University is organised into 9 academic units across its disciplines.
Who recognises Edith Cowan University?
The institution holds recognition from Department of Education and Training of Australia.
What is Edith Cowan University's official website?
Edith Cowan University's official website is www.ecu.edu.au.
Top-Ranked Universities in Australia
Looking for the strongest names in Australia? These are the highest-ranked institutions nationally — useful context for benchmarking Edith Cowan University against the country's most established universities. National benchmarks also signal the upper bound of academic prestige in Australia.
Members of Universities Australia
Student exchange agreements within Universities Australia formalise mobility opportunities. The universities below typically have dedicated exchange slots reserved for students from Edith Cowan University.
Faculties at nearby universities
Religious and cultural amenities cluster around Edith Cowan University's region, so the universities below typically draw from similar community infrastructure outside the campus itself.
Where Else to Study Business Administration
Capstone projects versus dissertation requirements differ across Business Administration programmes. The output type (project, thesis, portfolio) affects what you can show graduate schools or employers afterward.
Universities Compared with Edith Cowan University
Admissions advisor commonalities exist within peer tiers — advisors recommending Edith Cowan University often recommend the universities below alongside it as natural cross-applications.
Studying in Australia: guides and resources
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