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ECU makes top 10 in The AFR's Best Universities Ranking

The Australian Financial Review has published its inaugural Best Universities Ranking, and ECU has made it into the highly coveted Top 10. ECU finished in sixth overall position in the AFR's list, the only Western Australian university to make the top 10.

Student walking on ECU grounds ECU finished in sixth overall position in the AFR's inaugural list.

The Australian Financial Review has published its inaugural Best University Ranking, and Edith Cowan University (ECU), in Perth, Western Australia has made it into the highly coveted Top 10.

ECU finished in sixth overall position in the AFR's list, the only Western Australian university to make the top 10.

It's the first time in Australia's history that a university ranking system has recognised the traditional notions of excellence, such as research and reputation, as well as student satisfaction and equity.

ECU Vice-Chancellor Professor Steve Chapman explains ECU's stellar performance is simple.

"This is a fantastic result for ECU that recognises that being the biggest, the oldest or the wealthiest university doesn't always equate to high achievement. For ECU it is, and always will be, the student experience, teaching quality and high levels of satisfaction that guide what we do."

"Ensuring the very best quality of each and every student's education, overall experience and satisfaction is what sets us apart and why ECU has ranked so highly," Professor Steve Chapman said.

World-first ranking methodology

The AFR Best University Rankings 2023 were compiled by Professor Tim Brown and Emeritus Professor Stephen Parker AO.

Utilising, for the first time, a methodology that draws exclusively from credible, verified and publicly available sources, removing the need for data collection and submission by participating institutions.

Based upon metrics across five categories: student satisfaction, research performance, global reputation, career impact and equity and access.

"At ECU the nexus between teaching and research is more important than ever before, and we have already achieved significant growth in the quality and capacity of our research," Professor Chapman said.

"In a fast-changing world, our university has adapted to meet the growing and changing expectations of our students, this is evident in the bold new city campus under construction in the Perth CBD, set to open in 2026."

"We are immensely proud to see the likes of The Australian Financial Review, along with some of the finest academics in Australia acknowledge this."

ECU holds strong - globally

Vice-Chancellor Professor Steve Chapman said ECU's continual upward trajectory in both Australian and global rankings is a direct result of the University's commitment to excellence – across the board.

"We have also maintained a 5-star rating for undergraduate teaching quality for 17 years straight in the Good Universities Guide because of our dedication in this area that has been unwavering,” Professor Chapman said.

“Our commitment to innovation, leadership and student experience places us in the very best stead for university education now – and in the future.”

You can find The Australian Financial Reviews Best Universities Ranking list here.


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