About the university
Edith Cowan University (ECU) is a public university in Perth, Western Australia, named after Edith Cowan, the first woman elected to an Australian parliament. It has about 20,000 students, and 39% of them are international, according to THE World University Rankings 2027 data.
ECU is known for teaching quality and student experience. Its homepage highlights 19 straight years of five-star teaching ratings in the Good Universities Guide and the best overall undergraduate student experience among Australia's public universities in the national QILT survey. Its strengths include cyber security, computing, nursing and health, business and the performing arts through the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA).
Indian students mainly look at ECU for two-year master's degrees in cyber security, computer science, data science, project management, accounting and business. Estimated first-year fees for these courses are about AUD 40,000 to 45,400, which is lower than many universities in Sydney and Melbourne. Students with a related bachelor's degree can often finish some master's courses in 1.5 years.
Perth is Australia's fourth-largest city, on the Indian Ocean coast, with a large Indian community and a time difference of only 2.5 hours from India. The main Joondalup campus is in Perth's northern suburbs, and the new ECU City campus is in the CBD.
- Type
- Public university in Western Australia
- Total students
- About 20,400 (20,446 in THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- International students
- 39% (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- Student–staff ratio
- 30 to 1 (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- Campuses
- Joondalup, ECU City (Perth CBD, opened to students from February 2026), Mount Lawley, South West (Bunbury) and online; also ECU Sri Lanka
- Intakes
- Semester 1 (February/March) and Semester 2 (July) for most courses
Rankings
THE World University Rankings 2027
351–375 in the world
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- A$45,400
- Duration
- 2 years (1.5 years with a related degree)
- Intakes
- Semester 1 (February); Semester 2 (July) at ECU City or Joondalup
- English
- IELTS Academic 6.5 (no band below 6.0)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- A$43,650
- Duration
- 2 years (1.5 years with a related degree)
- Intakes
- Semester 1 (February); Semester 2 (July) at ECU City or Joondalup
- English
- IELTS Academic 6.5 (no band below 6.0)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- A$42,400
- Duration
- 2 years
- Intakes
- Semester 1 (February); Semester 2 (July) at Joondalup
- English
- IELTS Academic 6.5 (no band below 6.0)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- A$40,050
- Duration
- 2 years
- Intakes
- Semester 1 (February); Semester 2 (July) at ECU City
- English
- IELTS Academic 6.5 (no band below 6.0)
- Postgraduate
Master of Professional Accounting
- Fee / year
- A$40,050
- Duration
- 2 years
- Intakes
- Semester 1 (February); Semester 2 (July) at Joondalup
- English
- IELTS Academic 6.5 (no band below 6.0)
- Postgraduate
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Fee / year
- A$43,000
- Duration
- 2 years (some finish in 1.5 years with credit)
- Intakes
- Semester 1 (February); Semester 2 (July) at ECU City
- English
- IELTS Academic 6.5 (no band below 6.0)
- Undergraduate
- Fee / year
- A$42,200
- Duration
- 3 years
- Intakes
- Semester 1 (February); Semester 2 (July) at Joondalup
- English
- IELTS Academic 6.0 (no band below 6.0)
- Undergraduate
- Fee / year
- A$42,900
- Duration
- 3 years
- Intakes
- Semester 1 (February) at Joondalup or South West; Semester 2 (July) at Joondalup
- English
- IELTS Academic 7.0 (7.0 in listening, reading and speaking; 6.5 in writing)
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (AUD) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Cyber Security | 2 years (1.5 years with a related degree) | A$45,400 | ≈ ₹29.5 lakh |
| Master of Computer Science | 2 years (1.5 years with a related degree) | A$43,650 | ≈ ₹28.4 lakh |
| Master of Data Science | 2 years | A$42,400 | ≈ ₹27.6 lakh |
| Master of Project Management | 2 years | A$40,050 | ≈ ₹26 lakh |
| Master of Professional Accounting | 2 years | A$40,050 | ≈ ₹26 lakh |
| Master of Business Administration (MBA) | 2 years (some finish in 1.5 years with credit) | A$43,000 | ≈ ₹27.9 lakh |
| Bachelor of Computer Science | 3 years | A$42,200 | ≈ ₹27.4 lakh |
| Bachelor of Science (Nursing) | 3 years | A$42,900 | ≈ ₹27.9 lakh |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at Edith Cowan University with similar universities in Australia.
Scholarships
- Selected master's by coursework
International Masters Scholarship
Value: 20% off tuition fees for the course duration (2026 round)
Eligibility: International students from selected countries starting selected master's degrees. The 2026 round closed on 8 August 2026; check ECU's international scholarships page for the 2027 round and whether India is included.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Bachelor's
International Undergraduate Scholarship
Value: 20% off tuition fees (2026 round)
Eligibility: International students from selected countries starting a bachelor's degree. Check the 2027 round on ECU's international scholarships page.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Undergraduate
Bachelor of Science (Nursing) First-Year Scholarship
Value: 20% off first-year tuition fees
Eligibility: Students starting the three-year nursing degree at Joondalup or South West (2026 listing).
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Postgraduate research
Western Australian Premier's University Scholarship
Value: AUD 50,000 one-off towards course fees and other university costs
Eligibility: Eligible international research students (2026 round closed 29 May 2026).
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- International applicants must provide secondary school (Class 12) results. ECU sets academic entry on each course page and does not publish a single Indian percentage on the pages we checked.
- Other routes include an AQF Certificate IV, an Undergraduate Certificate or some completed bachelor-level study.
- Nursing needs IELTS 7.0 and does not accept experience-based entry.
- International students on a Student visa must study full time.
Postgraduate
- Most master's courses need a bachelor's degree in any discipline (Band 6 admission), or equivalent prior learning with at least five years of relevant professional experience.
- With a related bachelor's degree, Master of Cyber Security and Master of Computer Science can be completed in 1.5 years.
- The MBA needs a bachelor's degree plus at least three years of supervisory or management experience.
- Applicants with an Australian accounting bachelor's should not apply for the Master of Professional Accounting.
Documents
- Valid passport
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets
- Degree certificate and transcripts (for master's)
- English test score
- CV and work experience letters (needed for the MBA)
- Statement of purpose and financial documents for the Genuine Student requirement
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic (master's) | 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 for the master's courses on this page. |
| IELTS Academic (bachelor's) | 6.0 overall with no band below 6.0 for the Bachelor of Computer Science. |
| IELTS Academic (nursing) | 7.0 overall with 7.0 in listening, reading and speaking and 6.5 in writing. One Skill Retake accepted. |
| Other tests and routes | ECU accepts other English tests and qualifications listed on its English Proficiency Bands page, including some bachelor's degrees from listed countries. Check the course page for the score you need. |
Accommodation and living costs
ECU Village Joondalup, run by Campus Living Villages next to the Joondalup campus, includes rent, water, electricity, gas, furniture and Wi-Fi, with a pool, laundry and 24/7 on-site support. A bond of four weeks' rent and a non-refundable application fee apply. Prices below are for Semester 2, 2026 (1 July to 1 December 2026); rooms were showing waitlists.
| Item | In AUD | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Room in a shared 4- or 6-bedroom apartmentSemester 2, 2026 | A$263–293per week | ≈ ₹17,095 – ₹19,045 |
| Studio apartment (one student)Standard and superior studios | A$361–447per week | ≈ ₹23,465 – ₹29,055 |
| One-bedroom apartment (one student)AUD 457 a week for two students | A$397per week | ≈ ₹25,805 |
| BondFour weeks' rent, refundable subject to conditions (range based on the weekly rents above) | A$1,052–1,788one-off | ≈ ₹68,380 – ₹1.2 lakh |
Campus and location
Joondalup is ECU's largest campus, in Perth's northern suburbs. ECU City, in the Perth CBD, opened to students from February 2026 and now hosts courses such as the MBA, project management and cyber security.
- Joondalup campus is next to ECU Village student accommodation.
- ECU City in central Perth is the newest campus.
- Mount Lawley campus is home to WAAPA, the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts.
- The South West campus in Bunbury offers nursing and a smaller regional setting.
- Many postgraduate courses can also be studied online, but Student visa holders must study on campus full time.
Careers and graduate outcomes
ECU courses include practical units and industry projects, and Perth's economy is strong in mining, energy, health and government services. For post-study work options in Australia, see our Australia country guide.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| International students as a share of all students | 39% | THE World University Rankings 2027 data |
| Teaching quality rating | 19 straight years of five-star ratings | Good Universities Guide, quoted on ECU's homepage |
Studying in Australia
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in Australia. Our country guide covers them in detail:
Other universities in Australia
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Melbourne, AustraliaOften chosen for Medicine & Health Sciences, Engineering, Data Science & AI
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Melbourne and Geelong, AustraliaOften chosen for Nursing & Allied Health, Computer Science & IT, Business & Management
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Sydney, AustraliaOften chosen for Business & Management, Engineering, Medicine & Health Sciences
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Brisbane, AustraliaOften chosen for Life Sciences, Engineering, Business & Management
FAQs
How much does a master's at ECU cost?
Estimated first-year fees on ECU's course pages in October 2026 range from about AUD 40,050 (Project Management, Professional Accounting) to AUD 45,400 (Cyber Security). ECU adjusts fees every year, so check the course page before you apply.
When can I start?
Most courses have two intakes: Semester 1 (February/March) and Semester 2 (July).
Can I finish a master's in less than two years?
Yes, for some courses. With a related bachelor's degree, Master of Cyber Security and Master of Computer Science can take 1.5 years.
What IELTS score do I need?
Usually 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 for master's courses, 6.0 with no band below 6.0 for computer science at bachelor's level, and 7.0 for nursing.
Does ECU offer scholarships to Indian students?
ECU runs 20% tuition scholarships for international master's and undergraduate students from selected countries. Check ECU's international scholarships page for the 2027 round and whether India is included.
Sources
- ECU: Master of Cyber Security (opens in a new tab)
- ECU: Master of Data Science (opens in a new tab)
- ECU: Master of Business Administration (opens in a new tab)
- ECU: Bachelor of Science (Nursing) (opens in a new tab)
- ECU: fees and scholarships (opens in a new tab)
- ECU: international scholarships (opens in a new tab)
- Campus Living Villages: ECU Village Joondalup (opens in a new tab)
- ECU homepage (opens in a new tab)
- THE World University Rankings 2027: Edith Cowan University (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.ecu.edu.au (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details