Edith Cowan University Perth
Edith Cowan University Perth represents the primary metropolitan presence of Western Australia's innovative student-focused institution. Named after Edith Dircksey Cowan, the first woman elected to any Australian parliament in 1921, ECU Perth has established itself as a leader in practical, industry-connected education since its founding as a university in 1991. The Perth campuses embody the university's commitment to transforming lives through accessible, high-quality higher education. The Perth-based operations encompass the main Joondalup campus and the culturally-oriented Mount Lawley campus, together serving the vast majority of ECU's student population. These campuses have developed distinctive identities while maintaining coherent academic standards and student support services. The university has earned recognition for exceptional teaching quality, receiving consistent five-star ratings in the Good Universities Guide across multiple categories. ECU Perth has built particular strength in fields with strong professional outcomes, including cyber security, exercise and sports science, nursing and health sciences, education, and the performing arts. The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) at Mount Lawley has achieved international recognition, producing graduates who have succeeded on stages and screens worldwide. The Security Research Institute at Joondalup leads national efforts in cyber security education and research. The university's strategic focus on work-integrated learning ensures Perth students graduate with practical experience valued by employers. Strong partnerships with Western Australian industries, health services, schools, and government agencies provide placement opportunities and inform curriculum development. ECU Perth's graduate employment outcomes consistently exceed national averages, reflecting the effectiveness of its career-focused approach to higher education.
- Acceptance Rate
- 65.0%
- SAT Range
- 1050–1250
- ACT Range
- N/A
- Avg GPA
- 3.25
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- Tuition (In-State)
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- Tuition (Int'l)
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Student Life & Environment
The Joondalup campus provides a self-contained environment where students can spend their days without leaving the grounds. Student services include cafeterias, a pub, shops, medical services, counseling, and recreational facilities. The campus design incorporates natural bushland and lakes, creating pleasant spaces for studying outdoors or relaxing between classes. Student housing is available on campus and in nearby areas, though many local students commute from their family homes throughout the Perth metropolitan area. Student guilds at each campus organize events, clubs, and support services for the student community. More than 100 clubs cover interests from cultural associations representing various nationalities to hobby groups, sports clubs, and academic societies. Major events include orientation week festivities, cultural celebrations, and end-of-semester parties. The international student population brings diversity to campus life, with students from throughout Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas joining Australian students. Sports and recreation receive significant support, with ECU competing in university sport competitions across many disciplines. Fitness centers on campus offer gym facilities, group fitness classes, and personal training. The beach culture of Perth extends to student life, with many heading to nearby beaches after classes or on weekends. The Joondalup campus is close to several beautiful coastal areas, while Mount Lawley students can easily reach the beaches via public transport.
Location & Surroundings
Perth claims the title of the world's most isolated major city, separated from other Australian population centers by thousands of kilometers of outback. This isolation creates a distinct character, with Perth developing its own cultural identity rather than being overshadowed by Sydney or Melbourne. The city sprawls along the Swan River and Indian Ocean coastline, blessed with abundant sunshine and a Mediterranean climate that makes outdoor living the norm. Beaches stretch for kilometers in both directions from the city center, and Kings Park provides an enormous urban nature reserve overlooking the skyline. The Joondalup campus sits about 25 kilometers north of central Perth, in a planned suburban center that has grown rapidly over recent decades. The train line connects Joondalup to the city center in about 40 minutes, while buses serve surrounding suburbs. Students without cars can manage daily life reasonably well using public transport, though Perth's spread-out nature makes a vehicle useful for exploring the region. The Mount Lawley campus has a more urban feel, within cycling distance of the city and surrounded by cafes, restaurants, and cultural venues. Western Australia offers extraordinary natural experiences within reach of Perth. The wine region of Margaret River lies about three hours south, while the otherworldly rock formations of the Pinnacles are closer to the north. Rottnest Island, home to the famous quokka, is a short ferry ride away. For longer breaks, the state's vast north includes the spectacular Kimberley region, Ningaloo Reef, and the mining towns that power Australia's resources economy.
Costs & Career Outcomes
Domestic students at ECU can defer their tuition fees through the HECS-HELP loan scheme, repaying through the tax system once their income exceeds a threshold after graduation. This makes university education accessible regardless of upfront financial capacity. International students pay full tuition fees, which vary by program but typically range from 28,000 to 35,000 Australian dollars per year for undergraduate programs. Health and nursing programs tend toward the higher end of this range. Living costs in Perth are moderate by Australian standards. Students should budget around 20,000 to 25,000 Australian dollars annually for accommodation, food, transport, and personal expenses. Shared rental housing is the most common arrangement, with rooms in shared houses typically costing 150 to 250 dollars per week in areas accessible to ECU campuses. On-campus housing provides convenience but at premium prices. International students can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during semester on their student visa, and unlimited hours during breaks. ECU graduates find employment at rates comparable to or exceeding other Australian universities, particularly in fields where the university has strong industry connections. Nursing graduates are in high demand throughout Australia's healthcare system. Cyber security specialists find opportunities in government, defense, and private sector organizations. Education graduates can work in Western Australian schools, though they may need to complete additional requirements for registration. The university's career services help students prepare applications, practice interviews, and connect with employers through job fairs and recruitment events.
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