ECU is Western Australia’s second largest university. It was named to honour the first female member of an Australian parliament. It is both an old provider of higher education, with origins in 1902, and a new university, having been granted university status in 1991. Over 20 000 students, from some 80 different countries, are currently enrolled there, nearly a fifth of whom study externally. The rest are in attendance at one of the university’s five campuses.
The headquarters are based at Joondalup, in a fast-growing satellite  centre to the north of Perth, alongside the West Coast College of TAFE and the WA Police Academy. It is the main centre for psychology, science, education, business, engineering and computer science. A recent addition is the new Campus West complex, which will house the Faculty of Business and Public Management. The Institute for the Service Professions, previously located at Mount Lawley, has also recently taken up residence there. Primarily humanities and education, plus the highly competitive and well respected WA Academy of Performing Arts, are located in Mt Lawley, an established suburb only five minutes from the city.
Recent developments there include the new Stage House, which will create additional rehearsal and performance spaces for the academy, and a new sport and recreation centre due to be opened in 2004. The Churchlands campus in suburban Perth offers courses in business and nursing. Two and a half hours to the south, in a bush setting, is the Bunbury campus, which includes a new student housing precinct providing apartment-style living for 52 students. Electronic links between the main campuses are used for cross-campus teaching.
Edith Cowan University is noted for its innovative course content, specialised research and creative pursuits. Responsive and Forward thinking, it is an internationally focused university and an Australian leader in the provision of professionally focused degree programmes
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